This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The weekend is here. Maybe you've got some holiday parties to attend. If not, there are eight NHL games Friday night. Even if you will be otherwise occupied, you can put together a daily fantasy lineup. Here are some recommendations to try and help fill you with Christmas cheer.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR vs. ARI ($7,700): Lundqvist has slowed down a bit after a fast start, but he still has a .916 save percentage. However, the matchup is looking quite good for King Henrik. The Coyotes are in the bottom five in goals scored per game, and they will also be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. OTT ($6,700): Larkin is hot right now, as he has a five-game point streak where he has totaled eight points. It wouldn't be surprising to see him extend that streak. The Senators have a league-high 3.91 GAA and have given up a whopping 38.2 shots on net per contest.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. PHI ($5,500): Nugent-Hopkins has done an admirable job as the second-line center behind Connor McDavid, as he has 30 points in 32 games. Although, 12 of his points have come on the power-play alongside McDavid. Speaking of the power play, the Flyers have the legaue worst penalty kill, so more power-play success could be coming Friday.
WING
Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. WPG ($5,900): DeBrincat is getting more minutes as a sophomore, and it's paying off. He's got 25 points on the season, including 13 goals on 91 shots. The Jets will be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. They will likely be starting Laurent Brossoit, and though he's been good in eight starts this season, he had a 3.24 GAA and .883 save percentage last year.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at CHI ($5,700): Ehlers has picked up his play recently, as he has 10 points in his last eight games. Now he's facing a Blackhawks team with a 3.73 GAA, second highest in the NHL. Chicago also has the 30th-ranked penalty kill, and while Ehlers doesn't get a ton of power-play time, he has five points with the extra man.
Alex Tuch, VGK at NJD ($5,200): Let's double down on Alexes, because Tuch is having a fine year in his own right. He's got 22 points in 25 games, and he's averaged 3:06 per contest with the extra man as well. The Devils are struggling mightily this season, as they have a 3.59 GAA. That's largely because they have an .887 save percentage as a team.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS at PIT ($6,000): Krug has finally started scoring goals, as he has two on 50 shots through 20 games. On top of that, he has 15 assists, 10 on the power play. Matt Murray is back in the lineup, and the thought is that he will start this game. That would bode well for Krug, as Murray has a 4.08 GAA and .877 save percentage.
Darnell Nurse, EDM vs. PHI ($4,000): Oscar Klefbom is out, which should mean more minutes for Nurse. It also means that he's finally getting real power-play time, which is good heading into a matchup with the league's worst penalty kill. Beyond that, the 23-year-old is playing some good hockey, as he has six points in his last five games.
