DraftKings NHL: Friday Picks

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Updated on December 28, 2018 1:22PM EST

GOALIE

Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. MON ($7,600): Injuries have been a big reason why Luongo's been so inconsistent this season, but he entered the break with three wins in four games, allowing just six goals in those victories. An aging goalie like him should benefit from the holiday break, and the Habs are once again forced to use Antti Niemi. Luongo had three shutouts last season, two of which came against the Habs. Sergei Bobrovsky ($7,600) might be the better goalie, but he's playing against the Leafs.

CENTER

Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. MON ($7,100):Carey Price is hurt and the Habs still don't have a legitimate No. 1 center. This is all good news for Barkov, who is scoring at a point-per-game pace and logging more minutes than anyone. Barkov is a fantasy stud because of his low ceiling; aside from benefitting from playing with skilled wingers, he also shoots quite often and blocks a lot of shots. He can provide superior returns to Auston Matthews and John Tavares if Bob manages to stymie the Leafs.

Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. OTT ($6,100): Barzal has just five goals in 35 games this season, making him a dicey bet even against the lowly Sens, but the odds to win are certainly in the Islanders' favor. Barza had three shots and 20 minutes of ice time last time they met, and the Sens are expected to start Mike McKenna (3.79 GAA, .902 Sv%).

WING

Artemi Panarin, CLS vs. TOR ($6,100): Panarin has been in a giving mode throughout the holidays, scoring six points in his past three games and on pace for a career-high 90-plus points. The Leafs will be a difficult opponent, but that has never been a problem for him, with 11 points in nine career games. Panarin is a good value bet, especially with the red-hot Cam Atkinson coming at a $1,400 premium.

Kasperi Kapanen, TOR at CLS ($5,000): Kapanen will continue to be the better choice over William Nylander until Nylander gets up to game speed, and who knows when that will happen. Kapanen scored two goals before going on a holiday break and gets the best assignment playing next to Auston Matthews. Bobrovsky has traditionally been very good against the Leafs, but it's hard to pass up a quality winger at this price with just three games on tap.

Anthony Beauvillier, NYI vs. OTT ($3,500): Call it a hunch. The highly touted sniper has just 11 goals in 34 games this season in a limited role, but if there's any matchup Beauvillier should be able to score, it's this one. The Sens are starting a minor-league goalie, the Isles are at home, and in two games against the Sens last season, Beauvillier scored two goals.

DEFENSE

Thomas Chabot, OTT at NYI ($5,800): Chabot has gone above and beyond this season, and other than it being the norm, there's no real reason to think he will slow down. Since it's that time of the year, remember at the 2017 World Juniors, Chabot skated more than 43 (!) minutes in the final game. His production may slow but his usage won't, making him a high-floor fantasy defenseman. He has two points in his past three games and 37 in 37 this season.

Keith Yandle, FLA vs. MON ($5,400): Yandle continues to be a model of consistency with his production, and he has a chance to gather a few points against the struggling Habs, especially on special teams. Over half of Yandle's 31 points this season have come on the power play, and the Habs' penalty kill ranks 24th. On a night that's fairly light for elite defensemen, Yandle is a good value pick.

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.