This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
We're one week from Christmas, and a great gift would not to be worried about what COVID-19 is going to do to the NHL schedule. Four games that were supposed to happen today have been postponed. That leaves us with six starting at 7 p.m. ET or later. Here are some recommendations for your DFS lineup that will hopefully still work tonight.
SLATE OVERVIEW
Unfortunately, we won't be seeing Canadiens-Bruins, Lightning-Avalanche and Flames-Blue Jackets. Those matchups could have definitely been beneficial for DFS players. The other one postponed was the afternoon contest between the Panthers and Wild I wasn't going to include anyway. Meanwhile, only two teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back, and they are facing each other. Dallas was on the road Friday but is at home Saturday, while Chicago was at home and is now on the road. Sounds pretty even.
GOALIE
Jake Oettinger, DAL vs. CHI ($8,300): Both clubs are playing for a second consecutive night, so there isn't much difference. However, Dallas gets to be at home and will face a Blackhawks side that ranks in the bottom-four in goals per game. Oettinger has looked solid since getting the permanent recall to the NHL with a 1.88 GAA and .938 save percentage.
Frederik Andersen, CAR vs. LOS ($7,900): Andersen has been stellar posting a 1.95 GAA and .928 save percentage. The Kings have perhaps been a bit unlucky as they've only averaged 2.68 goals even though they've also produced 35.1 shots on net. I don't think LA will be getting that many pucks on goal tonight considering Carolina has allowed an NHL-low 26.9 shots.
Anton Forsberg, OTT at PHI ($7,100): Over his last six outings, Forsberg has produced a 2.14 GAA and .932 save percentage. His only subpar appearances was against the Avalanche, who lead the league in goals per contest. Forsberg isn't going to sustain this, though the Flyers represent a favorable matchup having only potted 2.61 goals per game.
VALUE PLAYS
William Nylander, TOR at VAN ($8,000): Thatcher Demko has played better recently, but even with that the Canucks still carry the league's worst penalty kill. Toronto's potent power play should be able to take advantage of that. Nylander has been key in that area with 14 points, including six over his last five outings.
Claude Giroux, PHI vs. OTT ($5,700): I think you can go with Forsberg in net, but the Sens still maintain a 3.59 GAA while giving up 33.5 shots on net. A Flyers forward who's playing well could still be worth a lineup spot, and Giroux is that guy with 24 points on the season and three goals and four assists across his last eight games.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Oilers at Kraken: Connor McDavid (C - $10,000), Jesse Puljujarvi (W - $5,400), Warren Foegele (W - $3,800)
The Kraken maintain a middling penalty kill, but that's not good enough against Edmonton's incredible top power-play unit. And anyways, this matchup isn't only about special teams. Seattle comes in with a 3.52 GAA, largely due to porous goaltending. The Oilers have a few players who can capitalize on that.
McDavid needs no introduction. Even at a massive salary, he tends to pay off. After all, he managed 105 points last year and has 47 so far this season. Puljujarvi is emerging with 10 goals and 13 assists while producing 20 shots on net in his last five appearances. And Foegele has been blessed with a spot on Edmonton's top line while Zach Hyman is out.
Devils at Red Wings: Jack Hughes (C - $6,500), Jesper Bratt (W - $5,900), Pavel Zacha (W - $4,300)
The Red Wings enter with a 3.40 GAA that is partially due to allowing 33.5 shots on net a night, but also because Alex Nedeljkovic has slipped up. Over his last six games, he's struggled to a 3.30 GAA and .899 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Devils have the making of a legit first line now that Hughes is healthy again.
Speaking of Hughes, he's recorded a point in five of his last seven contests to go with 16 shots on net. What's impressive about Bratt are his 24 points with a low 9.9 shooting percentage. He's also directed 81 shots on net, so more goals could be coming. Zacha has tallied nine goals and six assists, with four power-play points while averaging 2:46 per game with the extra man.
DEFENSE
Thomas Chabot, OTT at PHI ($6,300): Chabot finally has a goal! He also has a 1.4 shooting percentage that's going to improve. The 24-year-old has also posted 16 assists, including eight in his last six games. Philly has given up 34.7 shots on net, a major reason for their 3.18 GAA.
Tyson Barrie, EDM at SEA ($5,600): Barrie has notched 17 points, and as per usual has been impressive on the power play. The veteran defender has averaged 3:22 while up a man to go with his nine PPPs. Seattle, of course, has a 3.52 GAA and that ranks bottom-five in the NHL.
Ty Smith, NJD at DET ($4,200): As I mentioned earlier, the Wings maintain a 3.40 GAA and Alex Nedeljkovic has struggled. Smith showed promise as a rookie last year with 23 points in 48 games. This campaign started off slow, but he's registered four points across the last seven outings.
