Squad Up Daily Fantasy Dose: Pounce on Predators’ top power play vs. Rangers

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.

Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday, December 17:

Triple Threat

C Ryan Johansn (62K), LW Filip Forsberg (54K), RW James Neal (58K), Predators (vs. Rangers): Both Johansen and Forsberg have been mired in bad luck, converting on only 9.0 and 4.0 percent of their shots taken, respectively. The Predators top line sees plenty of minutes on the power play and even if their bad scoring luck continues, they can easily tally helpers on Neal's likely production.

C Connor McDavid (80K), LW Milan Lucic (54K), RW Jordan Eberle (56K), Oilers (vs. Lightning): Fortunately, McDavid's linemates are inexpensive enough to string them all together. Go cheap on defense in order to afford a decent goaltender and reap the benefits even though McDavid, and his counterparts, have slightly cooled.

C Sidney Crosby (62K), RW Phil Kessel (48K), D Justin Schultz (25K), Penguins (at Maple Leafs): It's amazing this trio is as inexpensive as they are. The three are heavily featured on the Penguins' power play and are big contributors to the league's top offense. Schultz should continue to benefit from D Kris Letang's injury as he saw 27 minutes of ice time on Friday.

Goalie Breakdown

TARGET - Jake Allen (90K), Blues (vs. Blackhawks): Allen's numbers are mostly pedestrian, but Chicago doesn't feature the same level of firepower they once did. Beyond the Patrick Kane-Artemi Panarin line, there isn't much to fear. Take Allen in a home matchup where he figures to make a lot of saves while not allowing more than a couple to hit twine.

BARGAIN - John Gibson (75K), Ducks (at Red Wings): The Red Wings average the second fewest shots on goal per game, which could limit Gibson's upside, but he's the only goaltender listed at the minimum price for the position on Saturday's slate. Gibson's game has been uneven, with only a .908 save percentage, but should the favorite win out, he's an inexpensive source of points.

FADE - Frederik Andersen (120K), Maple Leafs (vs. Penguins): No team has scored more goals this season than the Penguins. Andersen has played well, and should face a ton of shots, but the odds of him coming out with the victory are too low to invest in him as the most expensive goalie option.

CONTRARIAN - Carey Price (83K), Canadiens (at Capitals): Price was yanked after allowing four goals on 18 shots on Friday. He was almost immediately announced as Saturday's starter. While some concern is understandable, especially against the Capitals, Price will rarely see his salary dip this low. As arguably the best goalie in the world, he's worth the gamble.

Bargain Plays

D Justin Schultz (25K), Penguins (at Maple Leafs): As mentioned, Schultz is a top option on the Penguins power play with teammate Letang sidelined. With 12 points in his last 10 games, he's been demonstrating his value even before Letang's injury. At the basement price against a suspect Maple Leafs defense, Schultz is in prime position.

RW Nail Yakupov (28K), Blues (vs. Blackhawks): Joining a line with Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny paid immediate dividends as Yakupov finally scored his third goal of the season Thursday night. Should he stay on this line, and maybe see some ice time with the man advantage, his returns could be massive relative to his salary.

C Valtteri Filppula (27K), Lightning (at Oilers): Filppula has four assists in the first two games of the Lightning's brief road trip through Western Canada. The Lightning are without a large section of their star players, so goals may come at a premium. Filppula is third on the team with 22 points and should add to that total once again.

Top Fades

C William Nylander (63K), Maple Leafs (vs. Penguins): Nylander's inclusion has more to do with price context than his actual ability. That he costs more than either Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, among others, is enough to avoid him. If Marc-Andre Fleury starts for Pittsburgh, it's a little more acceptable because of his struggles, but the asking price is still high.

LW Jonathan Drouin (55K), Lightning (at Oilers): Though he's had moments, and should see an expanded role due to the Lightning's litany of injuries, Drouin remains too inconsistent to trust at this price tag. He has been shooting more often, with eight SOG in his last two, but he needs a more consistent output to be trusted.

D Duncan Keith (46K), Blackhawks (at Blues): Keith has a whopping 20 assists on the season, but no goals to go with it. If you're investing this much in a blueliner, some extra scoring has to be anticipated. With Keith, it is not.

Contrarian Options

LW Max Pacioretty (66K), Canadiens (at Capitals): Washington G Braden Holtby has been predictably stellar winning four of his last five starts, allowing only eight goals on 140 shots (.943 save percentage). Pacioretty may have his work cut out for him, but there's no better option in Montreal's offense on a nightly basis. Though scoreless in two games, he had seven goals over the four games before that.

RW Sebastian Aho (57K), Hurricanes (vs. Sabres): Aho has been unspectacular, posting 16 points in 30 games. His relatively high price tag and low totals may force owners to shy away. Aho, however, has been a point-per-game player over his last five games. He's a bit of a lottery ticket, but with increased ice time comes increased opportunity.

C Derick Brassard (55K), Senators (vs. Devils): Brassard has largely been a dud in his first season in Ottawa. It's worth remembering that he scored a career high 27 goals a season ago and has been plagued by a career low 6.1 shooting percentage this year.

Canucks World