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Welcome to the Daily Fantasy Hockey (NHL DFS) lineup picks article for December 28th of the 2015/2016 NHL season. Each day we'll be providing you with a handful of forward, defensemen, and goaltender picks for FanDuel and DraftKings GPP and cash games.
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NHL DFS Picks for Monday, December 28th
Six games hold together Monday night's slate of action, five of which consist of likely playoff bound teams or those fighting for a wild card spot. A majority of teams playing haven't seen the ice since before the holidays, and they should be fresh and ready to finish the latter part of the season's first half strong.
Tonight I'm focusing on certain players that have benefited from the consistency and production of their line mates, those who skate up the depth chart due to injuries, and centers and wingers looking to give their team a much needed boost. Three Capitals made the cut, which shouldn't surprise anyone as Washington stands as the Eastern Conference's best team. Several goalies have already been confirmed for Monday's matchups but for updated confirmations, check out www.leftwinglock.com.
A couple strategy notes. For cash game construction look for players who can contribute to your score when they are not providing offense. Examples are guys who take a ton of shots, defensemen who block a lot of shots(DraftKings). Also, look for guys who get powerplay time and especially Top 6 forwards. You can find value in players who join a new line due to an injury or just get a promotion and more ice time.
For large field tournaments (GPP's) you want to find payers who have multi point upside and can grab double digit fantasy points. To stack the most upside in your forwards a common strategy is to punt the defense position. This doesn't mean just grab anyone. Try and look for a D man who will be playing more PP time or might get a boost in overall playing time due to an injury.
Take a look at some solid options at each position.
Braden Holtby - Goaltender, Capitals (DraftKings - $8,300 FanDuel - $10,700)
Holtby is the top goalie on the card Monday night. The Capitals have allowed the fewest goals this season, facing the Buffalo Sabres who have scored the seventh fewest goals in the NHL. Holtby leads the league in wins with 22 and a goals against average of 1.92.
Mike Condon - Goaltender, Canadiens (DraftKings - $7,200 FanDuel - $7,400)
You think I'm joking, right? I would too considering Condon hasn't won a game since December 1st. The Canadiens have lost six straight and have been in complete disarray since the injury to superstar goalie, Carey Price. Condon and Dustin Tokarski have done an ineffective job of picking up the slack, and now face the high-scoring Tampa Bay Lightning. Condon and the Canadiens are beyond overdue for a win and will look to stop the bleeding against their conference rivals. Despite his struggles, Condon still owns nine wins on the season and a 2.46 GAA.
Evgeny Kuznetsov - Center, Capitals (DraftKings - $5,700 FanDuel - $6,500)
I'm a fan of anyone who plays on a line with Alex Ovechkin. Oh, and T.J. Oshie. Washington's top line is responsible for 83 combined points this season, with Kuznetsov leading the way with 31. Kuznetsov is coming off his highest fantasy point performance in over ten games, and will look to continue his production against Buffalo.
Joe Thornton - Center, Sharks (DraftKings - $4,700 FanDuel - $5,400)
With Logan Couture set to miss another game, Thornton enters San Jose's showdown with Colorado as the Sharks top center behind Joe Pavelski. Before the holiday break, Thornton gift wrapped a goal, two assists, and 9.0 fantasy points for fantasy owners, against the Los Angeles Kings. Thornton has picked up seven points in his last five games.
Mats Zuccarello - Winger, Rangers (DraftKings - $5,800 FanDuel - $6,300)
It seems that New York's offense has revolved around the play of Zucc. A consistent spark for the Rangers, Zuccarello ignited New York in an important win before the Christmas sabbatical with a goal and an assist. Struggling of late, the Rangers head to Nashville, where the Predators have allowed 26 power play goals on the season, tied for second most in the NHL; benefitting an improving and recently hot Rangers power play unit.
Nikita Kucherov - Winger, Lightning (DraftKings - $6,000 FanDuel - $7,100)
As was the case for Kuznetsov, Kucherov's value coincides with his play on Tampa Bay's top line consisting of Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn. Kucherov is on a five-game point streak, four points coming via the power play, and will look to make it six in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Canadiens.
John Carlson - Defense, Capitals (DraftKings - $6,800 FanDuel - $6,500)
Even when Carlson isn't scoring or assisting, he still finds ways to produce for daily fantasy lineups. Carlson has blocked three shots in four straight contests, has multiple shots on goal in nine of ten, and at least one hit in eight of ten. Luckily, Carlson picks up points as well, tallying at least one in eight of his last ten. The Capitals face the Sabres in a lopsided matchup of Eastern Conference teams.
Tyson Barrie - Defense, Avalanche (DraftKings - $5,000 FanDuel - $5,200)
Barrie has found success in both Colorado's games before the break, with a total of three points, seven blocked shots, and six shots on goals. The Avalanche face off against the Sharks who allow the ninth most goals a game in the league.
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