This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Even though November has just begun, we're already getting flooded with Christmas ads. You know what would be a great early Christmas present for yourself? A daily fantasy hockey win. Here are my recommendations to try and help make that happen, taken from players in action Monday across five games.
GOALIE
Antti Raanta, Ari vs. PHI ($7,700): Frankly, it's baffling to see Raanta this cheap. The guy has a 2.10 GAA and .929 save percentage! If you want to call nine games a small sample size, go ahead, but he also had a 2.24 GAA and .930 save percentage last season. Simply put, when he's played, he's been one of the best goalies in the NHL for five years now. He just happened to spend most of that time as a backup, and the last couple of years in Arizona.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at WAS ($6,400): Draisaitl has been lighting it up out of the gate, notching 14 points in 13 games. He's not just benefiting from a fast start, as he's had at least 75 points in each of his last two seasons. I hesitate to use the words "Stanley Cup hangover," but the Capitals have a 3.83 GAA at the moment.
Alex Galchenyuk, ARI vs. PHI ($5,200): Since getting healthy, Galchenyuk has had a smooth transition into a top-line role with the Coyotes. He's only played in five games, but he has four points, and he's also averaged 2:48 per game on the power play. Those minutes could pay off big time in this one, as the Flyers rank 30th on the penalty kill.
WING
Brendan Gallagher, MON at NYI ($6,600): Scoring goals and putting pucks on the net is what Gallagher does best. He had 31 goals on 278 shots last season, and he has nine goals on 45 shots through 13 games this year. The Islanders have an impressive 2.31 GAA, but they've allowed 33.9 shots on goal per game. They have a .932 save percentage, and that's unsustainable. Do you really think Thomas Greiss, who has a .892 save percentage last season, is going to keep up his .944 mark?
Clayton Keller, Ari vs. PHI ($6,000): Two Coyotes forwards getting recommended? Is this Bizarro World? Fret not, as Keller has nine points to start the season. He had 65 as a rookie last year, and he didn't have a player of Galchenyuk's caliber on his line. Plus, the Flyers have a 3.86 GAA, third-highest in the NHL.
Brett Connolly, WAS vs. EDM ($3,900): Connolly has started 57.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third most on the Capitals, and it's paying off. He has nine points this season, and he's on a three-game point streak. His shooting percentage is only 9.1, so it's not like he's getting incredibly lucky either. Meanwhile, Cam Talbot will be in net for the Oilers, and he has a 2.81 GAA and .904 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at WAS ($5,000): Klefbom has six points, all assists. That's a little surprising, given that he's put 42 shots on goal through 13 games. Maybe he will finally light the lamp in this game. After all, the Capitals have a .882 team save percentage.
Sami Vatanen, NJD at PIT ($4,800): After getting traded to the Devils last year, Vatanen had 28 points in 57 games, including 11 on the power play. He only has two points with the extra man so far this year, but he has six points total through 11 games. The Penguins have allowed 33.7 shots on net per contest, which is a concern, especially since Matt Murray has a 3.68 GAA and .890 save percentage.
