This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
With the Christmas break approaching, there are a few busy days on the upcoming NHL schedule. A whopping 24 teams are in action Tuesday night, meaning you have a ton of players to choose from for your daily fantasy lineup. It's a daunting task, but we're here to help:
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. NYI ($9,000): Rask is having an outstanding year, posting a 1.82 GAA and a .932 save percentage. Even if he hadn't been so impressive, he'd be worth considering in this matchup with the Islanders having scored a middling 2.58 goals per game. On top of that, the Islanders have the fewest points in the Eastern Conference, having lost five contests in a row. Seems like a good bet for a win from Rask.
CENTER
Bryan Little, WPG at VAN ($5,800): Little has been impressive since returning from a lengthy injury absence, netting eight points in 10 games, including an active four-game point streak. There seems to be a decent chance of him keeping that streak alive against the Canucks. Vancouver is 26th in goals allowed, giving up 3.09 per game. Winnipeg's offense has struggled in recent weeks, but don't let that get you down on Little, especially in this matchup.
Eric Staal, MIN vs. COL ($5,600): Little has a great matchup, but Staal's is even better. The Avalanche have lived up to their namesake by going downhill fast. They are dead last in the league with 3.20 goals allowed per game, and their penalty kill is ranked 21st overall. Staal averages 2:31 per game on the power play, potting five points. He has 24 points overall, and this price is rather reasonable for a top line center going up against Colorado.
WING
Taylor Hall, NJD vs. NAS ($7,100): The Predators played on Monday and Pekka Rinne started, both which could benefit Hall and the Devils. Nashville was allowing 2.83 goals per game heading into Monday, with a team save percentage of .905. Hall hasn't scored in a few games, but he's playing more than 20 minutes a night and has put 81 shots on net in 23 games. This could be his chance to finally get back on the score sheet.
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. NYI ($7,000): The Islanders are mediocre offensively, but they are a disaster defensively. They are second-to-last in goals allowed, giving up 3.13 per game. Additionally, they allow an average of 32.7 shots on net. Despite having far-and-away his lowest shooting percentage in his career, Marchand has nine goals and 27 points. He's well worth this price going up against New York's lesser light.
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at NJD ($5,700): While this matchup is good for the Devils, it's also favorable for the Predators. Thanks in part to Cory Schneider's struggles, New Jersey is giving up 2.94 goals and 31.9 shots on goal per contest. That last number is notable when it comes to Arvidsson, as he's on a healthy pace of 100 shots in 31 games. Going up against a goalie with a .906 save percentage, it wouldn't be surprising to see one his shots find the back of the net.
Jonathan Drouin, TAM vs. DET ($5,600): Tampa should be able to take advantage of the Wings having to immediately travel after waiting in Carolina for Monday's game to eventually be postponed. After some consternation in previous seasons, Drouin finally has a steady role with the Lightning. He's averaging 17:25 a night, and has notched seven power-play points. Drouin also has five points in his last five games, so he's currently playing well, which you certainly can't say about the Wings.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at PIT ($5,400): Whoever ends up getting the start in net for the Penguins will impact this matchup quite a bit, but regardless, there's reason to like McDonagh. Pittsburgh ranks 29th in shots allowed per game (32.9), and McDonagh has 56 shots on goal. On the other side of the ice, the Penguins lead the league in shots on goal, and McDonagh has blocked 64 shots. He should get plenty of opportunities on both ends, which provides him a lot of fantasy potential.
Jeff Petry, MON vs. ANA ($4,700): Anaheim has a team save percentage of .904 and the Ducks will be on the road on the second night of a back-to-back, which should work in Petry's favor. Petry has amassed 61 shots on goal, 56 blocked shots, and 13 points, including four on the power play. The Ducks are 17th in penalty-kill percentage, so Petry could find some fortune with the extra man. Either way, he's pretty cheap, which will give you a chance to spend money elsewhere while also getting some real potential value.
