The Shot Dude: Crunch Time

With Christmas just a few days away, many are busy making last-minute preparations.

So just like in sports, we should all step up and bring our best effort because it's late in the game.

Your favorite Shot Dude is stepping up to bring you his best player ideas  to piece together a winning fantasy lineup.

I take advantage of the Bovada data tool on the Home page to look at a wealth of information about today's killer 10-game NHL docket:

My FanDuel squad includes a nice mix of players bringing their game hard lately. You should join me, make your best team, and share in the fantasy game winnings.

Forwards

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay ($9400) ... has taken 12 shots on goal the last two games, and it's paid off with 3 goals. Toronto's wet dream Dude seems to be crunching right along with 8 points in his last 10 games. This recent surge has helped Stamkos take over the team lead in shots (88), goals (44), and total points (25). The odds are in Stamkos' favor to continue his superb play at home against Vancouver tonight. The Canucks arrived anxiously, ready to put their last of a six-game road trip behind them, especially since they're all in a 10-day span. The 'Couv's only been victorious in one of those games -- and 3 of their last 10 -- and will see a span of 17 days pass between their last and next home game in Lotusland.

Patrick Kane, Chicago ($8700) ... is a bargain at this price for what he's produced so far this season. His 122 shots on goal are 23 more that his next closest teammate. Dude currently ranks first in the NHL in assists (29), total points (50), and power play points (17). He's also second in goals (21) and power play goals (11). Kane is just as hot as any other player with 12 points in his last 10 games, so I just can't find a reason why 10 position players have the same or a higher salary than him on FanDuel today. The Blackhawks face a winded Dallas team playing their third game in four nights.

Jaromír Jágr, Florida ($5000) ... is actually 43 years old. You'd never think so, based on how well he's played this season. Most recently, hockey's latest version of Dorian Gray has 6 points in his last 7 contests. He missed three games with injury but still leads the team with 24 points, including 10 goals on 58 shots. Jágr -- Czech for hunter, appropriately enough -- has scored a game-winning goal and has seven power play points as a fixture on both the Panthers' top scoring and power play lines. Florida has a great matchup at home tonight against an Ottawa team that not only has given up 53 goals in 17 road games, but owns a poor penalty kill percentage of 76.8.

Defensemen

Dan Boyle, New York ($4700) ... like Jágr, has 6 points in his last seven contests and has been elevated to the Rangers' top power play line. Dude's increased his shooting frequency to over 2 shots a game in his last 7, as he was averaging less than one per game and only tallied 5 points total in his first 22 contests this season. The Blueshirts will skate home ice against an Anaheim team in the midst of a terrible scoring drought. In seven December games, the Ducks have only lit the lamp nine times but remarkably, have won three of those games.

Ryan Suter, Minnesota ($4200) ... has a very affordable salary for the steady production your fantasy team will receive. Dude has fired 79 shots on goals in 32 games. He's averaged three shots per game over his last six and leads the Wild in both ice time and power play points. Minnesota will host the Montréal Canadiens, who have not only lost four straight games but also 8 of their last 10 contests overall.

Goaltender

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles ($8900) ... has 8 wins in his last 10 appearances, including a shutout at Montréal last game. Quick has surrendered less than 2 goals a game on average in that span He survived an early season slump and now has 17 wins (two by shutout), and a solid .920 save% in 26 games to date. Quick and the Kings will take home ice against a San Jose team that has an impressive road record but has only won two of their last 10 contests. Working in Quick's favor tonight is that San Jose has scored an average of just over 2 goals in each of  their 10 games this month.

Please don't hesitate to post your fantasy lineup, so you can hear the sound of some crunch time cash.

Remember that scoring can only be achieved by giving it your best shot!

You can follow me on twitter@fsofia8.