This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The NHL is generously welcoming us into December with 12 games Saturday. Ten of those contests are in the evening, starting at 7:00 PM ET, and those are what I'm focusing on for daily fantasy purposes. Here are my lineup recommendations from the 20 teams in action Saturday night.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at EDM ($7,600): Fleury's save percentage is down to .911 this season, but he still has an impressive 2.39 GAA. He's been helped by the fact the Golden Knights have only allowed 27.4 shots on goal per contest. The Oilers, meanwhile, have only managed 2.72 goals per game.
CENTER
Brayden Point, TAM at FLA ($6,900): Point is practically on Steven Stamkos' level as a center. Though his 26.1 shooting percentage is bound to regress, he's still notched 18 goals and 15 assists in only 26 games. The Panthers are playing the second night of a back-to-back, and with Roberto Luongo still banged up, Michael Hutchinson may be in net. In four games of action this season he has a 4.18 GAA and .839 save percentage.
Kevin Hayes, NYR at MON ($4,800): Hayes had a November to remember, as he tallied 13 points in 14 games. What makes the 26-year-old particularly interesting is that he's having a good season despite the fact his 8.2 percent shooting is a career low by a wide margin. As for the Canadiens, they have a 3.32 GAA, which is bottom 10 in the NHL.
WING
Max Pacioretty, VGK at EDM ($5,400): Pacioretty is finally turning in the kinds of performances the Golden Knights were hoping for when they traded for him. Over his last nine games he's tallied eight goals and five assists. The Oilers have a 3.12 GAA, and have the 27th-ranked penalty kill. Pacioretty doesn't have a ton of power-play success yet, but he's averaged 2:50 per game with the extra man.
Brendan Gallagher, MON vs. NYR ($5,200): Last season, Gallagher stayed healthy and notched 31 goals on 278 shots. He's working on a repeat performance, as he's notched 11 goals on 85 shots through 25 games. The Rangers have a 3.04 GAA, middle of the pack, but they've also given up 33.3 shots on net per contest.
Craig Smith, NAS vs. CHI ($4,600): Smith has also put a ton of pucks on net, as he's notched 82 shots in 26 games. It certainly helps that he's started 70.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second highest on the Predators. The Blackhawks have a 3.65 GAA, second highest in the NHL, and Corey Crawford's return has not helped matters. He has a 3.18 GAA and .901 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT vs. PHI ($6,500): For years, Letang has been a force from the blue line, and this season has been no different. He's notched 20 points in 23 games, including eight with the extra man. The Flyers have a 3.58 GAA, and also the 30th-ranked penalty kill. Even though Michal Neuvirth is off injured reserve, even if he's ready to play there's a chance he will be rusty, and his track record doesn't indicate he can be their savior in goal.
Jacob Trouba, WPG at NJD ($5,000): Trouba has 12 points on the season, even though he doesn't normally see much power-play time. However, Dustin Byfuglien is out with a concussion, which will change Trouba's role. It should mean more ice time, and more time with the extra man. The Devils are playing their second game in as many nights. Cory Schneider may be in net, and he has a 4.27 GAA and .863 save percentage.
