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Welcome to the Daily Fantasy Hockey (NHL DFS) lineup picks article for December 30th of the 2015/2016 NHL season. Each day we'll be providing you with a handful of forward, defensemen, and goaltender picks for DraftKings and FanDuel GPP and cash games.
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NHL DFS Picks for Wednesday, December 30th
There are five games to pick from on Wednesday, consisting of the second leg of a home-and-home, and a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals. The rest are contests between teams that aren't separated by not many points in the standings, including players visiting their former stomping grounds. For updated confirmations of starting goalies, check out www.leftwinglock.com.
From my colleague and fellow Hockey DFS writer, Chris:
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.
Let's take a look at some solid plays for Wednesday night's action.
James Reimer - Goaltender, Maple Leafs (DraftKings - $6,400 FanDuel - $8,100)
Reimer has been splitting time with Jonathan Bernier, but he will get the nod between the pipes Wednesday. His opponent, the Pittsburgh Penguins; a team that surprisingly can't find the back of the net. According to ESPN.com, the Penguins score the third fewest goals in the league per game. Reimer hasn't picked up a W since late November, where he won five straight. This is a perfect opportunity to end the skid.
Philipp Grubauer - Goaltender, Capitals (DraftKings - $6,800 FanDuel - $7,700 )
Obviously if Holtby starts again against Buffalo, then he is another great pick at goalie. But if the Capitals decide to rest their all-star netminder, Grubauer steps into a favorable matchup versus the Sabres, who Holtby shut out with 31 saves Monday night. I'm throwing Grubauer into the mix because, despite only starting six games thus far, any time Holtby gets a night off, the backup is a solid start on an extremely solid team for an affordable price. Grubauer has four wins and a 2.30 GAA.
Brayden Schenn - Center, Flyers (DraftKings - $4,000 FanDuel - $5,600 )
Schenn is listed as a center but plays on the wing on Philly's top line with Claude Giroux. Schenn's numbers aren't stifling, seven goals and eight assists, but he does see power play ice time and is one of the few goal scoring threats on the Flyers. Philadelphia faces off against a Sharks team that gives up the sixth most goals in the league, 2.86/game.
Nicklas Backstrom - Center, Capitals (DraftKings - $6,200 FanDuel - $7,200)
Backstrom is just another guy benefiting from playing with Alex Ovechkin, on one of the best teams in the NHL. Backstrom leads the Capitals in points and power play points, on an unusually low 56 shots on goal. That just means he'll get you consistent assists, and when he does shoot, it counts. Backstrom picked up an assist and three shots on goal against Buffalo Monday and will look to continue his production tonight.
Kyle Palmieri - Winger, Devils (DraftKings - $4,700 FanDuel - $5,000)
Palmieri leads the Devils in goals, 15, and power play goals with six. New Jersey visits Ottawa where the Senators have surrendered the fourth most power play goals in the league. Palmier's consistent and frequent play on special teams makes this matchup intriguing against a team that struggles shorthanded. Palmieri is cheap and has scored in his last two games.
Ryan Callahan - Winger, Lightning (DraftKings - $4,600 FanDuel - $5,000)
Callahan gets yet another crack at the team that once made him captain, then let him go. I'm a Rangers fan but I'm also a fan of anyone playing the Rangers these days for Daily Fantasy. In the past eight games, New York has surrendered 38 goals; six of which they allowed five or more goals. It's difficult to say what exactly is going on in the Big Apple, but it's safe to say that Callahan is an inexpensive play that could produce on Tampa's third line.
Brent Burns - Defense, Sharks (DraftKings - $8,000 FanDuel - $7,900)
Burns has been an absolute stud this season, and now heads into a mouthwatering matchup with Philadelphia. The Flyers have already spent a bloated 445 minutes in the penalty box, third most in the league, and have allowed 25 power play goals. Burns leads the Sharks, with Joe Pavelski, in power play points, and shots on goal, with a remarkable 154 on the year. He is a no-brainer every time his skates touch the ice.
Dan Boyle - Defense, Rangers (DraftKings - $4,000 FanDuel - $4,700)
Boyle faces off against the team he won the Cup with in 2004 and the team that knocked the Rangers out of the playoffs last year. The Lightning have always been a tough out for New York, and as the Rangers continue slumping, this game could get ugly, quick. But Boyle could provide the Blue Shirts with the spark they need, as his production has picked up of late, with three points in four games, all coming via the power play.
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