Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DFS Must-Starts for Each Position December 17

Still trying to come up with the funds to purchase those last-minute Christmas gifts? Daily fantasy hockey can provide the necessary bankroll, and it starts on Thursday night.

With 11 matchups to pick apart, DraftKings owners have a wealth of choices to make. As always, we've combed through the options to target the top players to fill out your lineups. Here's a look at the must-starts at every position for the December 17 slate.

Center: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks ($5,100)

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Sixteen years later, and Henrik Sedin is still kicking in the NHL. The veteran first-line center still benefits from feeding his brother, Daniel Sedin, who happens to have 14 goals this season. But if you'd rather pay $1,900 less for a player who has five points in his last four games, Henrik is your guy.

Over that span, Sedin has tallied four or more fantasy points in three games. Look for Henrik to create opportunities for his brother against a weak Philadelphia Flyers defense, earning valuable points for DFS owners on Thursday.

Winger: Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks ($5,200)

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Now we go from a player who doesn't take many shots on goal to one who does. Marian Hossa isn't scoring at a high clip, but it's not from a lack of trying. While he has just four points in his last 10 games, Hossa has 38 shots on goal over that span.

In DFS, shots on goal are valuable for owners at half a point apiece. Now just imagine if one goes in.

Facing an Edmonton Oilers defense that ranks 29th against forwards, Hossa should find open chances. He might only have 13 points in 29 games, but all it takes is one goal to change that. Until then, DFS owners can depend on those shots on goal for consistency.

Defenseman: Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues ($5,700)

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Look, here's the part where I'm supposed to convince you to pick up Kevin Shattenkirk. However, all I really have to do is say, "Look at his last seven games." Yeah, you know, eight points in seven starts is kind of decent.

Then you realize he has 15 blocked shots over that span of time. Oh, and he faces a Nashville Predators defense that ranks 28th against opposing defensemen on DraftKings. I'm not really sure why Shattenkirk is valued at only $5,700, but owners should snatch him up as a surefire No. 1 player on Thursday.

Goalie: Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues ($7,700)

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Last week, Jake Allen was a targeted goalie against a weak Flyers team. Unfortunately, Brian Elliott got the start, and Allen wasn't able to shine. In the following start, he put up 10.2 fantasy points against a red-hot Dallas Stars team in a shutout win.

If he's starting, he's a bargain at $400 less than the top option.

Allen has been steady this season at 14-7-2 and averages five DraftKings points per start. He's had a few down games in recent weeks to keep his price manageable, so DFS owners should lock him in with three options at other positions not exceeding the $6,000 mark.

Follow R. Cory Smith on Twitter for more DraftKings advice.

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