Richard Masana 
As we get deeper into the NHL season, let’s get ready for a five-game Sunday slate. There is everything you need and more below. Aside from reading the article, don’t forget to check out our NHL DFS Projection Model which is available every morning.
12/11 NHL Main Slate of Games – Beginning 6 p.m. ET
*All odds and player pricing below have been obtained from DraftKings and are accurate as of the time of writing*
Los Angeles Kings (-135) at Columbus Blue Jackets (+115) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total
Seattle Kraken (+135) at Florida Panthers (-155) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total
Philadelphia Flyers (-105) at Arizona Coyotes (-115) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total
Washington Capitals (+115) at Winnipeg Jets (-135) – 6 Projected Goal Total
Boston Bruins (-135) at Vegas Golden Knights (+115) – 6 Projected Goal Total
12/11 NHL Favorite Popular Line
Florida One “Carter Verhaeghe ($6,100), Aleksander Barkov ($7,400), Matthew Tkachuk ($8,000)“
Rather than go with the peripheral stats here, my lean is based more on the matchup. One of only two 6.5 total games on this slate, my lean is towards the over on Seattle/Florida. This line has slowed their roll a lot recently after a hot start to the season. However, this is the sort of spot in which they can break out. Seattle has been one of the better defensive teams in the NHL but will be playing much earlier than usual with the day game cross country. Furthermore, they come in on a three-game skid as the lid might be starting to come off the top a bit. Both Tkachuk and Barkov share time on the Panthers’ top power-play unit and are the priorities.
Aside from Florida One, I am also a fan of the Blue Jacket’s top line in case you want to run a game stack with the line listed below. However, I would probably prioritize Patrik Laine in that scenario and run a two-man without Boone Jenner. You can even play Laine as a one-off though if you prefer.
12/11 NHL Favorite Contrarian Line
Los Angeles One “Anze Kopitar ($5,600), Kevin Fiala ($6,300), Arthur Kaliyev ($4,200)”
Since Los Angeles is the favorite in the other 6.5 total game and the peripheral stats are strong, let’s try L.A. one more time. Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala share a correlation on the King’s top power-play unit. However, Arthur Kaliyev, well he’s cheap. Given the price of the line listed up top, any salary savings available do come in handy. Columbus has allowed an Eastern Conference-high 106 goals on the season. As the higher total indicates, this should be one of the better-scoring affairs of the night.
Defensemen and Goalie
Defensemen
Alexander Edler – Los Angeles – $2,600 – A shell of his former self. However, just $100 over the minimum price and always capable of hitting the blocked shot bonus. I’d take his 5.2 average at that price as long as my salaried skaters come through.
Goalies
Conor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg – $8,100 – I mean he’s the starting goaltender for the Hot Shot when available. Of the two “Jets” teams playing this Sunday, Winnipeg is the only favored, at -130 hosting Washington. The last time we trotted him out he had another comfortable win “one of six straight”. He continues to improve on his 2.24 GAA and .932 save %. It’s the reason why I got the “Helle” tattoo on my neck after the last game.
12/11 NHL Best Bet
Los Angeles/Columbus O 6.5 (-110) – DraftKings – 1 Unit – Two atrocious defensive teams with strong peripherals at least, as far as the Kings go. Some talent for Columbus, I guess you could call them underachievers. Either way, this seems made for the Over in a season where scoring per game just continues to increase.
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