FanDuel NHL: Saturday Picks

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Updated on December 31, 2016 11:22AM EST

There are eight games in the main contests at FanDuel on Saturday. It's a large player pool from which to choose, and here are a handful of options across multiple price ranges to consider when assembling your lineups.

GOALIE

Antti Niemi, DAL vs. FLA ($8,000) - In his last four home starts, Niemi has a .941 save percentage and 1.76 GAA. He has a nice matchup Saturday, as Florida averages just 2.32 goals per game (2.21 on the road) and underwhelms at generating scoring chances with a 20th-ranked 26.25 per 60 minutes. Swapping to a more expensive Kari Lehtonen ($8,500) is less attractive but viable if Niemi doesn't start.

CENTER

Connor McDavid, EDM vs. VAN ($8,700) - Vancouver enters on the wrong end of back-to-back games, presenting a slump-busting matchup for McDavid. If you can call four points -- one goal -- through eight games a slump, that is. Even with a decline in offensive production, McDavid owns a fourth-ranked 3.28 points per 60 minutes since entering the league, and Vancouver allows the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.6) this year.

Nicolas Petan, WPG vs. NYI ($3,700) - Skating with the No. 1 power-play unit lately, Petan is a potential cheap flier to consider in a nice matchup. The Islanders own a 22nd-ranked 78.4 penalty kill percentage and have allowed the most scoring chances per 60 minutes (33.94) in the league. Additionally, Petan is projected to skate in a third-line role alongside Drew Stafford and Marko Dano, which is a clear upgrade from his previous fourth-line gig.

WING

Johnny Gaudreau, CAL vs. ARI ($7,500) - Lock in Gaudreau at this price tag. Arizona allows the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.81) in the league, and Gaudreau has four goals, 14 points and 37 shots through 11 games since returning from his hand injury. Additionally, in his last 54 home games over the last two years, the 23-year-old winger has an incredible 27 goals and 69 points.

Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. CAR ($5,300) - Averaging 19:44 of ice with 3:57 of power-play time through two games since returning from injury, Palat's stepped back into a go-to role and posted two goals, three points and six shots on net. He's also lining up with Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov, and the trio have combined for 4.36 goals per 60 minutes in the last four seasons.

Matt Puempel, NYR at COL ($3,600) - Coming off a hat trick, there is a risk Puempel is a chalky low-priced flier against the Avalanche on Saturday. After all, Colorado has allowed a league-high 3.29 goals per game this season and 3.79 in December. Plus, Puempel has four goals, five points and 10 shots in his last four games, and he entered the league with an offensive pedigree.

DEFENSE

Ryan McDonagh, NYR at COL ($5,600) - As highlighted, Colorado is an excellent matchup, and McDonagh has a three-game point streak (one goal and six points) and averages 24:13 of ice per night with 3:24 on the power play. Without a prohibitive salary, there is no reason to fade McDonagh.

Matt Benning, EDM vs. VAN ($3,200) - Projected to man the point on the No. 1 power-play unit, Benning is a potential low-priced flier to target. Despite playing just 23 seconds with the man advantage in Thursday's game, Benning registered a power-play assist. Plus, Vancouver is entering on the wrong end of back-to-back games and boasts a 28th-ranked 71.8 penalty-kill percentage.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.