Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: Best DFS NHL DraftKings Daily Values for December 5

Pavel Datsyuk has been one of the most creative and dynamic players in the NHL since he started playing for the Detroit Red Wings in 2001-02. Datsyuk has long had the ability to dance through defenses in a way most players couldn't even dream of, and he has been able to score some of the most picturesque goals on a regular basis.

Datsyuk has seen it all and done it all with the Red Wings, having scored 300 goals and 574 assists in 898 games. Datsyuk has been troubled by nagging injuries in recent seasons, and that's to be expected for a player who has reached the age of 37.

However, Datsyuk is back in the lineup, and he is still capable of dangling and creating magic. The Red Wings will host the Nashville Predators on Saturday night, and it would not be a surprise to see Datsyuk put his offensive skills on display.

Datsyuk has played 11 games this season, and he has scored two goals and three assists. He is getting warmed up, and we expect the center to be one of the key players on our Draft Kings fantasy team.

We have $50,000 to spend on nine players, and Datsyuk is well worth his $5,600 salary. Look for him to get on the board with at least one goal.

In this piece, we look at the players providing the best value. They may not be superstars, but they are players with an excellent chance of providing a strong return for their salary investment.

Position	Player, Team	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit	Nashville	2.8	$5,600
C	Frans Nielsen, N.Y. Islanders	Ottawa	3.9	$5,100
W	Patrick Marleau, San Jose	Tampa Bay	3.8	$6,100
W	Mike Hoffman, Ottawa	N.Y. Islanders	4.7	$5,600
W	Brandon Saad, Columbus	Philadelphia	3.0	$5,600
D	Torey Krug, Boston	Vancouver	3.6	$6,100
D	Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis	Toronto	3.0	$5,200
G	Mike Condon, Montreal	Carolina	4.0	$7,600
U	Riley Sheahan, Detroit	Nashville	1.6	$3,100

Centers: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings ($5,600) and Frans Nielsen, New York Islanders ($5,100)

John Tavares is usually the focus of the opposing defense whenever the New York Islanders are in action. But they have become a playoff team because Tavares does not have to do all the scoring. The Islanders have developed an excellent supporting cast in recent years, and Frans Nielsen has been a big part of their secondary scoring.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Nielsen has scored nine goals and 10 assists this season, and he has notched four goals and five assists in his last 10 games. The Dane has scored two goals and four assists on the power play and has the ability to create space with his head fakes and dekes. Those moves often lead to excellent scoring opportunities. Look for Nielsen to create and cash in on chances when the Islanders visit the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Wings: Patrick Marleau, San Jose ($6,100), Mike Hoffman, Ottawa ($5,600) and Brandon Saad, Columbus ($5,600)

Patrick Marleau is all business when he gets in the offensive zone, and that's been part of his DNA throughout his long career with the San Jose Sharks. Marleau has an array of effective moves when he is carrying the puck on the rush, and he has a devastating wrist shot. Marleau has scored 10 goals and nine assists this season, and he has tallied six goals and four assists in his last 10 games. Look for him to get on the board when the Sharks host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Mike Hoffman is a big part of Ottawa's offensive attack. After scoring 27 goals last year, Hoffman has picked up the pace this year. He has already scored 13 goals and 12 assists, and he is connecting on 20.3 percent of his shots. Look for him to score at least one goal at home against the Islanders.

Brandon Saad has a chance to be a spark plug and a key goal scorer for the Columbus Blue Jackets. After playing an important role in two of the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-winning teams, he is trying to help the Blue Jackets turn things around after a slow start. Saad has explosive skating speed, and he has scored nine goals and seven assists this year. Look for him to assert himself with a goal when the Blue Jackets travel to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.

Defensemen: Torey Krug, Boston Bruins ($6,100) and Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues ($5,100)

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Boston Bruins have had the league's best power play all season. They move the puck well and attack the open spaces, and one of the big reasons they have done so well is the heady play of defenseman Torey Krug. He is an excellent passer with a hard shot, and he has scored two goals and 12 assists this season. Seven of his points have come on the power play. Look for him to get on the board when the Bruins face the Vancouver Canucks in British Columbia on Saturday night.

Kevin Shattenkirk is a mainstay on the St. Louis Blues' blue line. Shattenkirk has scored two goals and nine assists this season, and one of his strengths is his ability to hold onto the puck an extra split second and find the open man. He should have an excellent chance to make a key contribution when the Blues host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Goalie: Mike Condon, Montreal Canadiens ($7,600)

At some point, the Montreal Canadiens are likely to see a drop-off in goal. Starter Carey Price has a lower-body injury, and backup Mike Condon can't be expected to play stellar hockey every night.

However, don't expect any dropoff to come when the Canadiens travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. Condon has a 9-3-3 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He should hold the struggling Hurricanes to under two goals as the Habs win on the road once again.

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