While the countdown is on in approaching the NHL's annual holiday break, when every team gets a minimum of three days off to reflect and recharge, we're not there yet. In that spirit, let's take a festive tour of several clubs facing more-favorable schedules between Thursday and Christmas Eve, and their respective players worth streaming or rostering as Daily Fantasy assets. My (hopefully valuable) gift to you, if you will.
Arizona Coyotes (MIN, @DET, @NSH): Now that we've had some time to get used to the idea of the new winger looking to make his mark in the dessert, let's dig a little deeper into the fantasy fallout from the Taylor Hall trade. For one, Christian Dvorak is going to put up points in a hurry if he remains at center between Hall and Phil Kessel. The young forward is available in 88% of ESPN.com leagues. The injection of offense up front duly benefits top defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who scored his first goal Wednesday - assisted by Hall, ahem - since October. I'm also keen on the Clayton Keller/Carl Soderberg/Nick Schmaltz scoring line, particularly Soderberg as an under-the-radar asset. And goalie Darcy Kuemper remains admirably reliable. Consider all of the above as viable streaming and Daily Fantasy commodities against Minnesota and Detroit in particular.
Los Angeles Kings (@CLS, @BUF, STL): The Kings aren't bad right now! Riding a 4-0-1 record, Anze Kopitar and Co. are finding ways to win, largely on the road. Forward Tyler Toffoli - who has received much of my attention these past couple of weeks - appears totally tuned in with three goals and five assists in five contests. It's in both the player's and team's best interest for the pending UFA to perform well ahead of this season's trade deadline. Available in 94% of ESPN.com leagues, Toffoli also makes for a great DFS option against the Jackets and Sabres. Jeff Carter is showing signs of reclaiming his scoring touch as well, which is nice. Betcha the one-time Blue Jacket (however briefly) pots at least one against his former team Thursday. And if willing to cough up the DFS salary, defenseman Drew Doughty has been consistently productive since early December.
Montreal Canadiens (@CGY, @EDM, @WPG): The Canadiens wrap up their pre-Christmas slate with a quick trip out west, visiting three of the bottom-10 teams in goals-against this December - collectively giving up an average of 3.27 goals per game. As such, it's worth knowing that top-line winger Tomas Tatar has found the back of the net in four straight, while defenseman Shea Weber, evidently in a mood, has five points in four games. And, yeah, I'd start a sizzling Carey Price against an Oilers club that's having difficulty scoring at present. Including you-know-who.
Nashville Predators (@OTT, @BOS, ARI): After pounding the Islanders for eight goals Tuesday and scoring five against the Rangers the previous evening, the Predators threaten to light it right up against the more-generous-then-most Senators. Defenseman Roman Josi might be well worth the salary splurge in DFS competition, along with your favorite scoring forwards. Just note that Calle Jarnkrok - a recent fantasy favorite - was absent from Thursday's morning skate.
Ottawa Senators (NSH, PHI, BUF): A trio of home games against three of the league's more generous squads means Anthony Duclair stands an excellent chance of building on his current run of nine goals in seven games. Available in nearly 60% of ESPN.com leagues, Duclair should be fully exploited in all fantasy formats until he runs out of gas.
Philadelphia Flyers (BUF, @OTT, NYR): The Flyers have the opportunity to score up a storm heading into the break via contests with the Sabres and Senators - teams that have allowed an average of 3.57 and 3.67 goals per game, respectively, since December 5th - before wrapping up against a Rangers squad engaged in their second tilt in as many days. Skating on a top line with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny presents as a legit threat to pad his team-leading total of 11 goals and 18 assists (31 games). He appeared no worse for wear against Anaheim this week after sitting out three full contests with a concussion. Defenseman Ivan Provorov, skating on the top pair and power play, has two assists and seven shots in his past couple of contests. And those interested in an miles-outside-the-box DFS asset, call-up Nicolas Aube-Kubel is competing on a scoring line with James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes. The 23-year-old earned an assist against the Jets on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Lightning (DAL, @WSH, FLA): While I don't adore the Lightning's schedule, I do love Nikita Kucherov as a top-end DFS asset heading into and over the weekend. Notoriously hard on himself, the reigning Hart Trophy winner will feel particularly motivated after being benched the majority of Tuesday's third period versus the Senators. He's going to compete like a beast, starting against the Stars on Thursday.
Vegas Golden Knights (@VAN, @SJ, COL): No team has given up more goals this December than the Sharks while the Knights aren't having much difficulty finding the back of the net. Sets the stage for a fruitful outing for Vegas' most dangerous when the two sides meet late Sunday. Centering a red-hot scoring line with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, former Capital Chandler Stephenson has two goals and two assists (plus-four) in four games. On the blue line, Shea Theodore is finally rounding into what we expected of him, notching a goal and five assists (plus-six) in three contests. In fact, fantasy managers of all stripes should check on Theodore's availability, as he's rostered in only 54% of ESPN.com leagues. If obtainable, grab the Knights' top power play anchor ASAP.
Additional goalie notes: I like Colorado's Pavel Francouz a lot as a DFS play should he get the start against the Blackhawks Saturday. He stopped all but one of 32 shots for the win in Chicago on Wednesday. ... How is Tristan Jarry still only rostered in 33% of ESPN.com leagues? The Penguins' No. 1 netminder has won nine of 11 games since Nov. 16, including three shutouts in his past six. He's rocking a .955 SV% this month. Matt Murray has played once since November. It's boggling. ... A red-hot James Reimer could be worth a DFS flier for Carolina if he suits up against his former Florida team on Saturday. ... Mackenzie Blackwood is performing well for New Jersey, having allowed only five goals in a span of five games. Consider grabbing the netminder as an injury plug or other fantasy option when the Devils face the Capitals, Blue Jackets, and Blackhawks in the coming days.