This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There is a clear mismatch that demands our attention on Wednesday's three-game slate. The Canadiens have dominated the league to start the year and have yet to lose in regulation through nine games. The Canucks, on the other hand, have dropped five straight outings, scoring just seven goals during that stretch. The Detroit-Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-Anaheim bouts should be much more closely contested, so keep in mind Montreal's cushy matchup when assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. VAN ($9,800): With a league-low 1.74 goals per 60 minutes on the year and the aforementioned offensive impotence through their past five games, the Canucks check out as an ideal matchup for Price. He's allowed just seven goals through his five starts this year with a .954 save percentage, after all. The salary is steep, but you risk chasing the field if he produces as expected, and it should prove difficult to close the gap. Should Al Montoya ($8,600) receive the starting nod for the Habs, he's also highly recommended.
CENTER
Claude Giroux, PHI vs. DET ($7,200): This salary is too low for Giroux, who's posted 12 points during his nine-game point streak, including seven of the power-play variety. The Red Wings have allowed 10.12 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes to start the year, which should provide Giroux with a few opportunities to continue his hot stretch.
Tomas Plekanec, MON vs. VAN ($5,300): Despite everyone scoring around him, Plekanec has just three points for the season and none over his past five games. He's still searching for his first goal of the year despite registering 20 shots on net. Even though his power-play time (just 0:09 over the past three games) and shooting percentage (7.4 percent last year) are plummeting, Plekanec remains an intriguing flier given the favorable matchup against the reeling Canucks.
WINGER
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at ANA ($7,000): Anaheim is playing its second game in two nights; meanwhile, Hornqvist has caught fire of late, registering two goals and four assists to go with 20 shots over the last five games. Flanking Sidney Crosby in all situations is a nice bonus, and at this salary, Hornqvist provides cheaper exposure to No. 87.
Brayden Schenn, PHI vs. DET ($5,600): Paired with Giroux, Schenn mitigates some of his center's salary, and the two check out as a high-upside duo that plays together in all situations. Schenn has averaged 4:27 of power-play time to start this season, and his 2.66 points per 60 minutes since the beginning of last season ranks 21st among all skaters with at least 1,000 minutes.
Gustav Nyquist, DET at PHI ($5,200): The streaky scorer has averaged 2.9 scoring chances per game thus far with 16:37 of ice time (3:59 with the man advantage) over his latest six outings. The uptick in ice time has led to three goals, two assists and 17 shots on net. The Flyers have also allowed the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per game (12.04) and second-most goals (3.8) to start the season.
DEFENSE
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. PIT ($4,300): Fowler's seen an extended role early on, averaging 24:08 overall and 3:46 of power-play time under new coach Randy Carlyle. It's resulted in an uptick in offense and shot volume. Fowler has posted seven points -- five via the man advantage -- and 22 shots through the first 10 games. This isn't a dreamy matchup, but Fowler's hefty minutes provide a solid fantasy floor at this salary.
Jeff Petry, MON vs. VAN ($4,100): Among defensemen with at least 100 minutes of ice time thus far, Petry boasts a 19th-ranked 1.59 points per 60 minutes. He's averaging 21:54 with 2:30 of power-play time and has blocked 16 shots through eight games. In this cushy matchup, Petry's salary sticks out as a significant bargain.
