Squad Up Daily NHL Fantasy Dose: Flames won't burn out in matchup with Coyotes

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 Thursday, Dec. 8 (advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):

Triple Threat

• C Sean Monahan (43K), LW Johnny Gaudreau (55K), RW Kris Versteeg (38K), Flames (at Coyotes): Monahan and Gaudreau aren't playing on the same line at 5v5, but they share the ice on the power play. The Flames have scored 16 goals over their current four-game winning streak. Arizona allows the most SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes) and has the highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) at 5v5.

• C Jeff Carter (63K), LW Tanner Pearson (47K), D Drew Doughty (43K), Kings (vs. Hurricanes): The Kings will catch the Hurricanes on their second night of a back-to-back on the California road trip that is treacherous for so many Eastern Conference teams G Cam Ward was lit up like a Christmas tree Wednesday, so expect 35-year-old journeyman Michael Leighton to start in goal.

• C Claude Giroux (66K), RW Jakub Voracek (74K), D Shayne Gostisbehere (47K), Flyers (vs. Oilers): The Oilers have just two wins in their last seven games, whereas the Flyers are winners of six straight. Giroux and Voracek have seven points apiece during the six-game stretch. Edmonton has the fourth-highest xGA60 at 5v5.

Goalie Breakdown

• TARGET - Carey Price (86K), Canadiens (vs. Devils): Price at 86K provides substantial value, especially with a matchup against the Devils. New Jersey generates the second-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5v5 in the league.

• BARGAIN - Chad Johnson (75K), Flames (at Coyotes): Johnson has been in net for the entire duration of Calgary's four-game winning streak. His .931 SV% and 2.04 GAA have provided the team it's best goaltending since Miikka Kiprusoff. Expect another strong performance against Arizona's anemic offense.

• FADE - Roberto Luongo (107K), Panthers (vs. Penguins): Luongo is a great goaltender, but it's tough to justify him being the most expensive netminder on the slate with a matchup against the high-flying Penguins.

• CONTRARIAN - Connor Hellebuyck (91K), Jets (vs. Rangers): Hellebuyck will probably be overlooked by many because of his matchup against the Rangers. However, he has a .922 SV% and a 2.36 GAA at home this season. The MTS Centre can be a hostile environment for road teams, especially those from the Eastern Conference.

Bargain Plays

• C Sam Bennett (32K), Flames (at Coyotes): Bennett has shuffled around the lineup during his second NHL season. As it currently stands, he is centering the team's top line with Johnny Gaudreau on his left wing. Despite having a modest 15 points, Bennett has five multi-point games, providing ample tournament value.

• LW Matthew Tkachuk (27K), Flames (at Coyotes): Thursday night will be a homecoming for Tkachuk. The 18-year-old was born in Scottsdale, Arizona while his father, Keith, was playing for the Coyotes. You can bet he will bring his A-game with friends and family in the stands. He has the ability to return value without a goal or an assist thanks to his physicality.

• D Michael Del Zotto (25K), Flyers (vs. Oilers): You need to take advantage of Del Zotto's low cost on Squad Up while you can. He has eight points in 13 games to go along with 26 shots, 56 hits and 28 blocks. He's a lock to return some form of value relative to his salary. Edmonton's defensive woes only raise his ceiling.

Top Fades

• C Mathieu Perreault (53K), Jets (vs. Rangers): There is absolutely no reason to roster a 53K player with just three points in 15 games.

• RW Alexander Radulov (58K), Canadiens (vs. Devils): Radulov has been great for the Habs this season, but there's a chance his production could tail off with his center, Alex Galchenyuk, sidelined for six-to-eight weeks.

• LW Max Pacioretty (70K), Canadiens (vs. Devils): In addition to Galchenyuk's injury, Montreal will also be without C David Desharnais for six-to-eight weeks. Desharnais isn't exactly an offensive weapon, but Montreal's already thin depth down the middle will be tested. It's tough to fork up 70K for Pacioretty with a matchup against Cory Schneider and the defensively-sound Devils.

Contrarian Options

• C Nathan MacKinnon (62K), Avalanche (at Bruins): MacKinnon has 11 points in 11 road games this season. He will be overlooked with his matchup against the Bruins, but Boston may opt to rest G Tuukka Rask after playing Wednesday night.

• C John Tavares (69K), Islanders (vs. Blues): With so many elite centers on Thursday's 10-game slate, Tavares will fly under the radar with a matchup against Ken Hitchcock's Blues. However, Jake Allen has an .870 SV% and a 3.59 GAA on the road this season.

• LW Andrew Ladd (41K), Islanders (vs. Blues): A prized free-agent signing by the Isles in the offseason, Ladd has been a major disappointment. He has just six points on the season, but three of them have come in his last four games. He could be turning a corner.