This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Welcome to the first Monday of December. There are only three games on the slate for the NHL, so your options are limited. Nevertheless, here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Mikko Koskinen, EDM at DAL ($8,200): While Cam Talbot has struggled mightily, Koskinen has returned from Russia to pretty much grab the No. 1 goalie job for the Oilers. The 30-year-old netminder has a 2.16 GAA and .928 save percentage. On the other hand, the Stars have only scored 2.74 goals per game.
CENTER
Steven Stamkos, TAM at NJD ($7,800): While he's been overshadowed a bit by the surging Brayden Point, Stamkos is having another fine season. He's scored eight goals on 77 shots, which would be great for most players, but his 10.4 shooting percentage is actually the lowest of his career. The Devils are pretty clearly the worst defensive team in action Monday, as they have a 3.44 GAA. That's a big reason why Stamkos is worth this price.
Calle Jarnkrok, NAS vs. BUF ($3,800): With Kyle Turris out, Jarnkrok has moved up to being Nashville's second-line center. Over his last eight games, he's averaged 17:23 in ice time, including 2:06 on the power play. The Sabres have a 2.81 GAA, which is not bad, but they have allowed 33.1 shots on goal per game, and they are on the road. With only six teams in action, that counts for something.
WING
Kyle Palmieri, NJD vs. TAM ($6,300): Palmieri has slowed down after a hot start, but he still has 12 goals and 22 points in 25 games. He also has nine power-play points after having 23 in only 62 games last year. With Andrei Vasilevskiy out, Louis Domingue has struggled to fill his skates. The 26-year-old backup has a 3.29 GAA and .896 save percentage.
Tyler Johnson, TAM at NJD ($5,800): Though they are technically Tampa's second line, the trio of Johnson, Point, and Nikita Kucherov is a line on par with almost any in the NHL. Being able to skate with those two offensive monsters certainly boosts Johnson's ceiling. Keith Kinkaid has been better than Cory Schneider for the Devils, but he's struggled mightily recently as well. Over his last 10 games, he's posted a 3.20 GAA and .898 save percentage.
Craig Smith, NAS vs. BUF ($5,300): Smith has started 69.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second highest among Predators. It's largely paid off, as he has seven goals on 85 shots through 27 games, plus six assists for good measure. Carter Hutton has been solid this year with a .917 save percentage, but over his last five starts he has a 2.96 GAA and .913 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, TAM at NJD ($5,000): As I said earlier, the Devils have a 3.44 GAA as a team, the only team in action Monday in the bottom 10. They owe that largely to the fact their goalies have a collective .891 save percentage. McDonagh seems comfortable in Tampa this year, after struggling a bit after being traded last season. He has 18 points and 50 shots on goal through 27 games.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. EDM ($4,500): Heiskanen came into the season with a lot of promise as the third-overall pick in 2017. He's proven that largely valid thus far, as he has four goals and eight assists through 27 games. With John Klingberg out, the 19-year-old has taken on a bigger role, especially on the power play. Over his last 11 games he's averaged 2:36 per game with the extra man. Meanwhile, the Oilers have the 26th-ranked penalty kill. Yes, some of that is on Talbot, but not all of it.
