Entering the second week in December, there is now plenty of sample size for data to be analyzed. Most teams have played around 30 games. Tonight, 10 games are scheduled for a nice main slate. There are a couple of teams playing their second game in as many nights. However, it seems pretty clear that there are just a few teams to target for offense this evening. Let’s dive into this slate to find some of the best DFS options.

Center

Mark Scheifele (WPG): $7,700 vs. CHI
For the rest of the season, stacking players against the Blackhawks will be a wise strategy. Chicago is currently ranked 29th in the NHL in Goals For Percentage (GF%). During even strength, they are allowing 2.38 goals against (on average) and 3.68 per game. Mark Scheifele has been the Jets best player this season and will be in the conversation at the end of the year as a Hart Trophy candidate. With 35 points in 29 games, Scheifele will look to continue his production at home against an inferior defense.

Nicklas Backstrom (WAS): $5,800 vs. DET
Back on the top line in Washington, Nicklas Backstrom becomes a great option at a very fair price. As one of the most underrated players in the NHL, even DraftKings has the superstar priced as the 18th highest center. He has 34 points in 29 games and plays alongside the best pure goal scorer in the league. Washington has a very successful power-play and Backstrom is usually the guy setting up either John Carlsson or Alex Ovechkin.

Wing

Alex Ovechkin (WAS): $8,100 vs. DET
The Detroit Red Wings are coming off an impressive game last night. However, they now have to travel to Washington to take on the defending champs. Ovechkin and the Caps should handle this inexperienced team with ease. Detroit plays much better at home while owning a 43.9 GF% on the road. The Capitals are one of the best teams in the league and will put up goals tonight.

Blake Wheeler (WPG): $7,400 vs. CHI
Blake Wheeler is the second piece to a Winnipeg stack. Wheeler is the primary set-up man on the top line for the Jets and will look to feed Scheifele all night long. With 32 assists on the season, Wheeler ranks third in the NHL in this category. His combination of size and skill creates a very difficult matchup for anyone, let alone for a defensively-challenged Blackhawks team.

Kevin Fiala (NSH): $4,800 vs. OTT
For salary relief, look to forward Kevin Fiala. The Nashville Predators Are heavy home favorites against the visiting Ottawa Senators. The Senators are allowing the second most goals against on the road and will have a tough matchup against the Preds who are first place in the central division. With the injuries to Nashville, Kevin Fiala finds himself up on the top forward line and power-play unit. He will have plenty of opportunities to chip in on goals against a weak team.

Defense

John Carlson (WAS): $6,600 vs. DET
Washington defenseman, John Carlson, is the most expensive d-man on the board tonight. For good reason. Averaging 25 minutes of ice-time a night, Carlson is leaned on heavily in all aspects of the game. He produces fantasy points in all facets of the game, which leads to a high floor and ceiling for DFS purposes. In a game which the Capitals should dominate, Carlson is the top player at his position.

Mattias Ekholm (NSH): $4,400 vs. OTT
Mattias Ekholm is projected to play on the second defensive pairing, while also logging top power-play time for the Predators. With P.K. Subban out with an injury, more ice-time will be spread out to the core defensemen. Ekholm provides some salary relief with plenty up upside in a great matchup.

Goalie

Semyon Varlamov (COL): $7,700 vs. EDM
The Edmonton Oilers have been playing really well as of late. However, outside of one game, they have not been scoring a lot of goals. They have, on the other hand, been taking a lot of shots. Although the win is by no means a guarantee, Semyon Varlamov should see enough low-quality shots against to get enough points in cash games. The win will provide GPP-winning upside. As Edmonton travels to Colorado for the first time this season, they may struggle to adjust to the altitude and arguably top forward line in the league.

Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.