This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
We're exactly three weeks from Christmas, so let's get a little extra cash in your pocket. There are nine NHL games starting at 7 p.m. ET or later, which gives us some enticing DFS options. Time for my recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
Only one team is on the second leg of a back-to-back, and it's the Rangers at home for two in a row. That's not easy, but it's not the same as traveling. Speaking of simple, a few teams face some easy matchups. The bottom-three teams in GAA are all in action. You could just target the Senators, Sabres, and Canadiens and likely reap the benefits.
GOALIES
Ilya Sorokin, NYI at DET ($8,200): The Islanders have not had the season many expected either offensively or defensively. However, you can't blame Sorokin. He's been stellar in posting a 2.39 GAA and .929 save percentage. While the Red Wings have averaged a mediocre-but-not-bad 2.75 goals per game, they've also only managed 28.9 shots on net.
Alex Nedeljkovic, DET vs. NYI ($7,500): That being said, when you factor in matchup in addition to performance, I like Nedeljkovic better than his counterpart in the Islanders' net. Like I said, this hasn't been the season New York envisioned only managing 1.83 goals per contest with only the Coyotes ranking below. Nedeljkovic has recorded a 2.58 GAA and .923 save percentage. Last season is looking less and less like a fluke.
Marc-Andre Fleury, CHI at NYR ($7,300): Fleury seems to have put his brutal start with his new team behind him. Over his last 11 outings, he's produced a 2.09 GAA and .936 save percentage. Those are reminiscent of Vezina-winning numbers. The Rangers may be at home, but they are on a back-to-back and also sit in the bottom-five in shots on net.
VALUE PLAYS
Valeri Nichushkin, COL at OTT ($5,900): The hottest line in the NHL right now? You might not need to look further than the trio of Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, and Nichushkin. Since returning to action, Nichushkin has racked up six goals and four assists. The Senators' 3.86 GAA is the highest in the NHL, so this scorching triumvirate should stay hot.
Evan Rodrigues, PIT at VAN ($5,100): With Bryan Rust out, Rodrigues is on the wing of Pittsburgh's top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. It likely isn't entirely a coincidence he's posted five points in his last six games. Rodrigues is also now on the top power-play unit, and the Canucks enter with the league's worst penalty kill.
Jonathan Toews, CHI at NYR ($4,900): Offense will come for Toews. He's put 40 shots on net, but hasn't netted a goal. Toews has also averaged 3:46 on the power play and that's only led to two assists. Eventually, luck will be on this side. Getting the Rangers on the second leg of a back-to-back could provide Toews some fortune in the form of Alexandar Georgiev, who's struggled to a 4.08 GAA and .858 save percentage.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Predators vs. Canadiens: Mikael Granlund (C - $4,900), Filip Forsberg (W - $6,600), Matt Duchene (W - $7,100)
The Canadiens don't have anything going for them defensively as they rank in the bottom-five in GAA and penalty-kill percentage while also giving up 33.3 shots on net per contest. With Forsberg back healthy, Nashville's top line looks even better. Since I'm speaking of the Swede, I'll start with him. Since returning from injury, Forsberg has reeled off six goals and two assists - and 15 points overall. Granlund has proven to be a fine playmaker with 20 helpers accompanied by seven points with the extra man. Oh, and don't forget about Duchene, who's produced 13 goals and 11 assists, including five in his last five contests.
Hurricanes vs. Sabres: Sebastian Aho (C - $8,800), Teuvo Teravainen (W - $6,200), Nino Niederreiter (W - $4,100)
Buffalo comes in with an NHL-second-worst 3.65 GAA, which i second-highest in the NHL while allowing an average of 34.0 shots. Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski are both out, leaving Aaron Dell as the top goalie. Over the last four seasons, he's managed an .893 save percentage. Meanwhile, Aho has averaged a point per game over the last four campaigns - including 22 in 22 this year. Teravainen is not an elite shooter, but has recorded 15 points and eight with the extra man. He also shoots quite a bit, with 59 pucks on net. Niederreiter missed a chunk of time with injury, but has three points in his last four.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS vs. CLM ($6,700): Carlson has accumulated 22 points over 24 games, which is excellent for a defenseman. He's also directed 49 shots on net. That's what I think bodes well for this matchup, as the Blue Jackets have allowed an average of 34.5 shots on goal.
Devon Toews, COL at OTT ($5,000): The rare opportunity to recommend two players with the last name "Toews". Devon missed the beginning of the year, but has posted 11 points across 11 appearances. His 13.6 shooting percentage will regress, but will face a team with a 3.86 GAA and a bottom-five penalty kill. Regression can wait.
Alexandre Carrier, NAS vs. MON ($3,800): I wanted to give you a chance to save some salary, which is why I am recommending Carrier instead of Roman Josi. Carrier has produced seven points in 20 games, and he's getting a little power-play time. Sure, he's only averaged 1:01 with the extra man, but that's not nothing especially against the Habs and their subpar penalty kill.
