It's New Year's Eve. Where does the time go? Before we head into 2019, there's one more slate of daily fantasy contests for you. There are 13 NHL games Monday, but if you can't get your lineup in before 12:30 PM ET, don't fret. I will be focusing on the eight games that start at 7:00 PM ET or later. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. LOS ($8,300): Let's not overthink this one. Varlamov's numbers won't wow you, but his .914 save percentage is perfectly fine. However, the Kings have only scored 2.26 goals per game. They have the worst offense in the league by a sizable margin. This matchup is as good as it gets.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. FLA ($6,700): In case you haven't been paying a ton of attention to the Red Wings this year, and we can't really blame you, Larkin is in the midst of a 13-game point streak. He's also put 63 shots on net in those 13 contests. Larkin will be trying to keep the streak alive against a Panthers team that has a 3.79 GAA in road games. The odds are in his favor.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, CLM s. OTT ($5,900): A 3.79 road GAA is bad, but compared to Ottawa's 4.83 road GAA the Panthers look like a brick wall. This is about as good of a matchup as a forward can get. That bodes well for Dubois, who has 32 points through 38 games.
WING
Alexander Radulov, DAL vs. MON ($6,400): Radulov escaped the wrath of Jim Lites that rained down upon his linemates Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, which is just another thing going well for the Russian this year. The 32-year-old has 13 goals and 18 assists despite the fact he's only played in 29 games. Carey Price is injured, which like means Antti Niemi, who has a 4.22 GAA and .870 save percentage, in net for Montreal.
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. NYR ($5,300): Schwartz has started 61.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Blues. That's helped him notch 14 points in 23 games, even though he's shooting at a 5.8 percent clip that's bound to improve. Perhaps that will happen New Year's Eve, as the Rangers have a 4.24 GAA and have allowed 35.4 shots on net per game on the road.
Jimmy Vesey, NYR at STL ($4,400): Vesey's offensive game has risen a level this season, especially recently. He's got a point in seven of his last 11 games, even though his shooting percentage has actually been lower than average. If he starts getting his usual puck luck, he could even improve upon that pace. As for the Blues, they have a 3.33 GAA, sixth highest in the NHL.
DEFENSE
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. LOS ($5,400): Barrie has many fine qualities as a player, but I'm particularly interested in his power-play skills. He notched 30 points with the extra man last year, and has 11 through 35 games this season. Why is this so notable? Because the Kings have the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. OTT ($5,000): After a dry patch, Werenski has been once again looking like the guy who had 16 goals and 21 assists as a sophomore last season. He has a four-game point streak that has given him seven goals and 13 assists through 38 contests. Now he gets to go up against a Senators team that ranks last in GAA (3.92) and shots allowed per game (37.4).
