Joel Dorcas | December 27th, 2019

Happy Holidays Puck Lovers! Hopefully, everyone is enjoying some sort of holiday break. The NHL returns to action with a full schedule of 11 games Friday after a brief hiatus for Christmas. Of all the games, we are targeting the Maple Leafs at New Jersey, Columbus at Washington, the Hurricanes at the New York Rangers and the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Anaheim Ducks. Let’s dig out the sticks and gloves and make some Ice Picks!

CORE MUST-HAVES ⭐

Auston Matthews C TOR $7,300

If there were ever a time where we can suspect the Leafs to go off, it is right now. The Buds are a cool 7-3 in their last 10, averaging a league-high 4.00 goals per game for December. They roll into Jersey winning five consecutive times. The Devils are essentially looking towards the future as they have shipped off their best player, former MVP Taylor Hall to the Coyotes for three prospects and two draft picks. They rank third-worst in the league in terms of goals against per game(3.44). The usual studs for the Leafs are all running hot right now. Auston Matthews should be worth the 7.3K designation and then some. He has the seventh most points amongst all forward for the last two weeks with five goals and four assists.

Mitch Marner W TOR $6,300

At this price tag, Mitchel Marner is likely to be highly owned, and it’s for good reason. Marner and the Leafs went bonkers last time out versus the usually very stingy Carolina Hurricanes in an 8-6 game that looked more like an all-star goal-fest type than a regular-season tilt. Marner was good for 2G and 3A and has 11 points in his last five games. He also leads the league in scoring for the last 14 days with 6G and 7A. The Leafs offense is elite and dynamic and when they get going their floor and ceiling are unmatched. Marner at 6.3K is a steal.

John Carlson D WSH $6,600

The Blue Jackets are going to have their hands full in Washington as Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson (game-time decision) will join a host of regulars who will be sidelined. The Caps have been a consistent force, they are averaging the league’s second-best mark of 3.62 goals per game. Columbus has been good defensively, they have a tenth best mark of 2.84 goals allowed per contest but will have to have some new faces step up in the absence of injured players. There is lots of talent to choose from on Washington, but why not roster Carlson who leads the team in points for December(10 games, 5G,6A).

VALUE PLAYS 💰

Zach Hyman W TOR $4,400

With the Leafs running hot and the Devils being the Devils(eighth-most goals against per game for the month of December/3.36) we want multiple Toronto players in our lineup. Zach Hyman has been a nice boost to the lineup since returning full-time without interruption on November 13th. He has amassed 14 points in 19 games and is coming off back-to-back 3 pt. performances. If Hyman continues to play on either of the top lines with the likes of Matthews, Marner and/or John Tavares his chances of getting in on the scoring can only get better.

Jordan Staal C CAR $4,300

The Canes, despite the drubbing they took in Toronto, are 6-3-1 in their last 10 averaging 3.50 goals per game. The Powerplay is clicking as well, 32.2% in the last 10. As for the Rangers, they have just one victory in their last five games. Jordan Stall has seen an uptick in production lately as he has a team-leading 21 shots on target and four points in his last five games. Staal is getting exposure on the top powerplay unit that is performing very well which makes him even more appealing.

Reilly Smith W VGK $4,800

The Golden Knights have absolutely owned the Ducks since 2017. In nine games, they are nearly perfect, eight wins, just one loss. Vegas is the league’s best teams in terms of points for December. The Ducks conversely, continue to struggle, they have just two victories in their last six games. The Knights have a deep roster of “good” players and Reilly Smith is one of them. He is averaging a very respectable 11 DK pts per game in his last 10.

STACK ‘EM 🏒

Toronto Maple Leafs– Matthews(C), Marner(W), Nylander(W), Hyman(W) Washington Capitals– Carlson(D), Ovechkin(W), Backstrom(C), Oshie(W) Carolina Hurricanes– Staal(C), Aho(C), Svechnikov(W), Hamilton(D)

*All prices listed are from DraftKings*

Good luck to everyone tonight, keep grinding out those lineups!

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