This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
We're back! The NHL has been off for a few days, but it returns Wednesday with an 11-game schedule. That means daily fantasy hockey is back, too. Here are some players I recommend for your lineup in the NHL's return after the Christmas break.
GOALIE
Colorado Avalanche, COL vs. ARI ($15,900): The Avalanche haven't been great, but at home they have gone 10-6-1, which is decidedly better than their road record. The Coyotes, meanwhile, are 4-13-4 on the road, and they also have only averaged a mere 2.21 goals per game. Just before the break, Semyon Varlamov made 32 saves on 34 shots in a road win over Arizona. He should be able to do just as well at home.
CENTER
Jonathan Marchessault, VGK at ANA ($13,700): Not only has Marchessault proven last season was no fluke, he's actually on pace to have even better numbers than last year. He's put 106 shots on net through 31 games, and in his last three contests he has six points. The Ducks have a 2.81 GAA, which isn't bad, but they've allowed 34.9 shots on net per contest, second most in the NHL.
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. BUF ($11,900): Barzal has been tearing it up as a rookie, as he has 35 points in 36 games. He's been helped by the fact he's started 57.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone (most on the Islanders) and played 3:19 per tilt with the extra man. The Sabres have a team GAA of 3.31, third worst in the NHL. That bodes well for Barzal, who has a four-game point streak.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG vs. EDM ($13,400): Laine, who scored 36 goals as a rookie, has 18 through 37 games this year. Ten of those have come on the power play, and he has 13 points with the extra man overall. Edmonton has the league's worst penalty kill, so don't be surprised if Laine's power-play success continues.
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs. ARI ($12,200): As bad as the Coyotes have been defensively, their offense has been profoundly lackluster as well. They have a team GAA of 3.47 (second most overall) and they've given up 32.2 shots on net per contest. Since returning from his suspension, Landeskog has five goals and four assists through nine games.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. MON ($11,700): Skinner has averaged 14.45 fantasy points per contest, thanks in part to the fact he's notched 12 goals on 131 shots through 35 tilts. He was hot before Christmas break as well, tallying eight points and 27 shots on net in his last seven contests. The Canadiens have a 3.14 team GAA, and they also have the 28th ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at NYI ($9,700): Ristolainen hasn't scored a goal yet, but he has 69 shots on net through 27 games, so the goals will come eventually. Don't be surprised if he lights the lamp in this matchup. The Islanders have a team GA of 3.50, which is the worst in the NHL. They also have the 30th ranked penalty kill, and Ristolainen has averaged 3:23 per game with the extra man.
Tyler Myers, WPG vs. EDM ($8,500): Myers has 19 points through 37 games, but notably 11 of those have come with the extra man. That's a point in his favor heading into this matchup, since the Oilers have the worst penalty kill in the NHL. Overall, they have a 3.11 team GAA, so Myers could potentially have some success at even strength as well. However, it's the power-play opportunity that makes Myers so enticing.
