Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: DraftKings NHL Optimal Lineup for December 3

Max Pacioretty is a superstar but perhaps one of the most underappreciated top-level players in the NHL.

While young and explosive stars such as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars often lead off the nightly highlights and veteran stars such as Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin get their share of camera time as well, Pacioretty may not be seen until after the first or second commercial break.

But make no mistake about it, Pacioretty is one of the top difference-makers in the league. He is one of the primary reasons the Montreal Canadiens are among the best teams. Pacioretty has scored 13 goals and 12 assists in 26 games, and he has been quite effective on the power play with four man-advantage goals and three assists.

Pacioretty has 11 points in his last 10 games, and he is the anchor of our DraftKings fantasy team for Thursday night. Pacioretty and the Habs confront Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at the Bell Centre, and we expect Pacioretty to lead the way in a game with high-scoring potential. He should score multiple points.

If he does, he will be well worth his $7,900 salary. We have $50,000 to spend, and he is the most expensive player in our lineup.

Position	Player, Team	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	Kyle Turris, Ottawa	Chicago	3.7	$6,300
C	Dylan Larkin, Detroit	Arizona	3.4	$5,100
W	Max Pacioretty, Montreal	Washington	4.6	$7,900
W	Mike Cammalleri, New Jersey	Carolina	3.8	$5,300
W	Kevin Hayes, N.Y. Rangers	Colorado	2.6	$4,200
D	John Klingberg, Dallas	Vancouver	3.8	$6,000
D	Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota	Toronto	3.0	$4,400
G	Cory Schneider, New Jersey	Carolina	4.9	$7,200
U	Leo Komarov, Toronto	Minnesota	2.6	$3,600

Centers: Kyle Turris, Ottawa Senators ($6,300) and Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings ($5,100)

When the Ottawa Senators are in need of a goal, Kyle Turris is one of the key players to whom head coach Dave Cameron turns to create a scoring chance. Turris knows how to go to the areas where the puck will be, and he is also a sharp passer and shooter.

Turris has scored 11 goals and 10 assists, and he has fired 58 shots on goal. Since he is such an accurate shooter, he needs to be encouraged to fire the puck more often. The Sens host the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, and Turris and his teammates should be primed to play their best game.

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Dylan Larkin is a coming star in the NHL. The rookie Reds Wings center is one of the fastest players on a very fast team, and that speed is allowing him to create scoring opportunities. Unlike most rookies, Larkin is cashing in on those chances. He has 10 goals and eight assists through his first 25 games. Larkin has six goals in his last 10 games, and he should put the puck in the net when Detroit hosts the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.

Wings: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens ($7,900), Mike Cammalleri, New Jersey Devils ($5,300) and Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers ($4,200)

Pacioretty often gets turned on when he gets a chance to compete against Ovechkin, and he has scored points in each of his last two games against the Capitals.

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

Mike Cammalleri has been a find for the New Jersey Devils this season. He has 23 points in his first 24 games this season with seven goals and 16 assists. He has been fairly sharp in his last 10 games with two goals and seven assists. Cammalleri excels at drawing the defense out of position and making a perfect pass or surprise shot. He should be able to get on the board when the Devils visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Kevin Hayes is not a star, but he is a hard-working player who will go to the dirty areas, and he has enough skill to make plays when the game is on the line. At 6'3" and 205 pounds, Hayes has the size to camp out in front of the net and not get pushed around. Hayes has six goals and nine assists this season, and he could be a bargain addition to your fantasy team with the Rangers hosting the Colorado Avalanche.

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Defensemen: John Klingberg, Dallas Stars ($6,000) and Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild ($4,400)

John Klingberg continues to light it up for the Stars from the blue line. Klingberg is a highly skilled offensive defenseman who sees the ice well and waits that extra split second before making a pass or taking a shot. Klingberg has five goals and 22 assists in 25 games and 12 points in his last 10 games. Klingberg carries the puck well and finds open teammates with his sharp passes, and he should have scoring opportunities against the Vancouver Canucks.

Jared Spurgeon is a hard-working defenseman who makes contributions with his hitting ability, and he will also block shots. He was credited with three hits and four blocked shots in the Minnesota Wild's win over the Nashville Predators on Nov. 21. Spurgeon has scored three goals and 10 assists this season, and he could find the back of the net when the Wild host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. The Maple Leafs could be quite fatigued after they got whipped in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Goalie: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils ($7,200)

Cory Schneider is in an excellent position to pick up another win when the Devils go on the road to Carolina. The Hurricanes are struggling badly and have just 20 points this season, which leaves them tied with Columbus for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference. Schneider has an 11-7-2 record along with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. He has a 1.90 GAA and a .933 save percentage in his last 10 games.

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