This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The NHL is going to be quite busy this weekend, but the league is easing into that with a light Friday. There are only three games on the docket, but don't skip daily fantasy hockey to hang your stockings and deck the halls with boughs of holly. Instead, put together a lineup, possibly using these recommendations.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. CHI ($8,600): Varlamov has scuffled a bit this season, as he has a 2.79 GAA and .913 save percentage. However, last season he had a .920 save percentage. The Blackhawks are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and they've been having a rough year. Chicago is 4-12-2 in away games.
CENTER
Matt Duchene, OTT at NJD ($6,500): Duchene is off of injured reserve, which makes it seem likely he'll play in this one. That will bode well for fantasy players, as the former Avalanche has 34 points in 29 games. The Devils are in the bottom four in GAA, and they are playing their second game in as many nights. Keith Kinkaid was saved for this game, but he has a 3.50 GAA and .883 save percentage over his last 12 games.
Nico Hischier, NJD vs. OTT ($5,300): Hischier has started 61.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among New Jersey forwards. The Devils like to use the first-overall pick to lead their offense, and it's worked recently, as he has eight points in his last 10 games. If that's not enticing enough, the Senators have a 3.86 GAA, highest in the NHL.
WING
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs. CHI ($7,300): It would be nice if the Avalanche had more depth at forward, so that we could have some good, cheaper options for daily fantasy purposes. Alas, they don't, but Landeskog could still be worth the price in this matchup. For starters, the Swede has 23 goals and 19 assists through 35 games. However, the Blackhawks have the second-highest GAA in the NHL, the league's worst penalty kill, and just lost Corey Crawford. Oh, and they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
Ryan Dzingel, OTT at NJD ($5,700): Dzingel had a mini breakout last season with 23 goals and 41 points. This year, he already has 25 points through 33 games, including eight in his last 10 contests. His minutes are up, including on the power play (2:41 per game). The Devils, as previously noted, are playing their second game in as many nights, and heading into Thursday they had a 3.63 GAA.
Tyler Jost, COL vs. CHI ($3,900): With only six teams in action, and with this matchup being so good, it's worth taking a flyer on a cheap Colorado player, hoping for some production. Jost is the guy with whom I'm going. He plays on Colorado's second line, and he has averaged 2:31 per game in power-play time. That's an encouraging sign, given the Blackhawks' league-worst penalty kill. Plus, they will either be playing Cam Ward on back-to-back nights, or Collin Delia will be getting the nod.
DEFENSE
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. CHI ($5,400): Here's an Avalanche player who's much easier to feel good about. The defenseman has 24 points in 31 games, including 10 on the power play. This comes after he had a whopping 30 points with the extra man last season. If anybody is going to take advantage of Chicago's woeful penalty kill, it's Barrie.
Will Butcher, NJD vs. OTT ($3,600): Butcher has started 61.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Devils. He's also a power-play maven, as he has seven points with the extra man after notching 23 as a rookie last season. The Senators have the league's highest GAA, and on top of that, their penalty kill ranks 29th.
