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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Sunday, December 18:
Triple Threat
- C Bryan Little (45K), RW Patrik Laine (46K), D Dustin Byfuglien (52K), Jets (vs. Avalanche): Laine's points-per-game pace has slowed a bit with only a single assist in his last four, but he has been a monster at home where he has 18 points in 16 games. Byfuglien is just outside the top tier of defensemen and Little is on a three-game point streak.
- C David Krejci (55K), LW Brad Marchand (71K), RW David Backes (43K), Bruins (vs. Kings): With RW David Pastrnak sidelined because of surgery, a shake-up to the lineup is likely. This trio hasn't skated together often of late, but Krejci is a better option than the higher priced Patrice Bergeron. The traveling Kings have struggled on the road.
- C Joe Pavelski (72K), LW Patrick Marleau (44K), Brent Burns (72K), Sharks (at Blackhawks): You'll have to go cheap at RW, and Marleau is far from a lock, but if this contrarian line hits, it will hit big. The Blackhawks played Saturday, and got marked up to the tune of four goals despite ultimately winning. Fatigue should even the playing field.
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET/BARGAIN - Sergei Bobrovsky (75K), Blue Jackets (at Canucks): Bobrovsky is in the conversation for the Vezina and the Blue Jackets haven't lost in regulation over their last 10 games. No team has allowed fewer goals, and it's in large part due to Bobrovsky. At the minimum price, against a team that has mostly struggled to score, he is a must.
- FADE - Scott Darling (99K), Blackhawks (vs. Sharks): Darling is the priciest goalie on Sunday's slate. He played Saturday and is not worth investing in due to fatigue and allowing eight goals in his last two starts.
- CONTRARIAN - Cory Schneider (77K), Devils (at Rangers): Schneider is a massive risk. He's allowed 14 goals in three games. He's been pelted with shots, but that doesn't excuse it. He's a more palatable risk than Darling, though, because the Rangers are on the second half of a back-to-back. Few will be bold enough to roll the dice.
Bargain Plays
- RW Marian Gaborik (27K), Kings (at Bruins): Gaborik has gone point-less in three straight after notching points in four of five. He's streaky and gets minimal time with the top scorers on the roster. Still, he's priced near the minimum and even a small return can help. Stick with him in tournament formats because he could easily come up empty.
- C Sam Gagner (25K), Blue Jackets (at Canucks): Ride the wave. Gagner has been the best offensive threat in Columbus during their streak. He has nine points in five games. It's likely unsustainable, but the price is right and the Canucks have allowed 10 goals in two games.
Top Fades
- C Patrice Bergeron (64K), Bruins (vs. Kings): As long as Bergeron is priced this high, he can't be rostered. He has nine points in 29 games, and while bad luck is part of it, and a turnaround is likely, the results have simply not been there. He's a hold in season-long, but avoid at all costs in daily.
- RW Kyle Palmieri (52K), Devils (at Rangers): Palmieri is taking fewer shots per game than he did in his breakout season a year ago, which combined with a worse shooting percentage has reduced his production drastically. The scorching Antti Raanta should be in net for New York. Palmieri is staring another goalless game in the face.
Contrarian Options
- C Matt Duchene (60K), Avalanche (at Jets): Duchene and teammate Nathan MacKinnon have played far better on the road than at home. Duchene has 13 points in 12 road games, helping the team to a 7-7 record compared to a 4-10-1 home record. While this may be anomalous, his scoring potential is real, though he's been aided by a lucky 20.3 shooting percentage.
- LW Daniel Sedin (61K), Canucks (vs. Blue Jackets): Hard to believe that: a) Vancouver has scored 10 goals in two games and b) Sedin has but a lone assist to show for it. Few will consider him, even at home, with Bobrovsky tending net. He and his brother remain fairly consistent on the whole, however, and his poor showings can't be focused on.
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