This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
With just two games on the NHL schedule Wednesday, the difference between winning big, squeaking out a cashing night and losing will be small. Additionally, with a powerhouse matchup between the Penguins and Capitals paired next to a tilt featuring the basement-dwelling Coyotes and Flames, there are plenty of approaches.
Here are a handful of players across multiple salary ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Louis Dominque, ARI at CGY ($7,700): Look for a letdown showing from the Flames following a shutout road win over Minnesota on Tuesday. Brian Elliott is expected to take the crease against Arizona, and he's lost four consecutive games with a disastrous .853 save percentage and 4.01 GAA. Additionally, the Flames might be without Johnny Gaudreau after the star winger left Tuesday's game with a hand injury. Although Domingue is trending in the right direction with a .921 save percentage over his past seven outings, he's nothing more than a flier.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT at WAS ($9,000): With five multi-point showings and at least one point in eight of his nine games thus far, Crosby is tough to fade in such a limited player pool. Additionally, his salary isn't prohibitive enough to make it difficult to assemble a potent lineup around him. Obviously, Washington doesn't stand out as a promising matchup, but Crosby has produced against everyone thus far.
Martin Hanzal, ARI at CGY ($5,600): Potentially returning from a lower-body injury Wednesday, Hanzal's ownership could be low in this cushy matchup because of his questionable status. Calgary is allowing 3.41 goals per game, so utilizing Hanzal is an opportunity to separate your lineup from the pack. Before sustaining the injury, he averaged 3.25 shots per game over 19:26 of ice time per night, with 3:40 of that on the man advantage.
WING
Max Domi, ARI at CGY ($5,500): It'd be nice to see more goals, but Domi's still posted 10 points through his past 10 games, including a goal and six helpers through seven road contests in that stretch. Calgary is on the wrong end of back-to-back games, and Domi should benefit from Hanzal's return, considering the duo's 3.25 Goals For per 60 minutes at five-on-five this year. Plus, as noted, it is a cushy matchup.
Marcus Johansson, WAS vs. PIT ($5,000): While the Capitals' lines are in the blender, Johansson has consistently received top-six minutes while remaining a mainstay on the No. 1 power-play unit. After a torrid start (11 points and six goals through nine games), he's also hit a cold stretch with a single goal and just 10 shots over his past six outings. This salary presents nice value for Johansson, and given his poor recent form, he should be modestly owned.
Connor Sheary, PIT at WAS ($4,600): Locked into a top-line gig flanking Crosby, Sheary is an excellent target to stack with No. 87 and help mitigate the star's hefty salary. Sheary has five points -- two goals -- through four games since returning from injury, and he's combined with Crosby for 4.65 Goals For per 60 minutes and a 65.4 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five over the past two years.
DEFENSE
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at CGY ($6,200): The stalwart is averaging 25:05 per night (4:33 with the man advantage) and registered eight points -- five goals -- and 37 shots on net through 14 games this season. Among defensemen with 4,000 minutes over the past three years, Ekman-Larsson's 1.49 points per 60 minutes rank sixth in the league, which shouldn't surprise anyone who's been following hockey.
Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. PIT ($4,400): While more power-play time (just 59 seconds per night thus far) would be nice, Niskanen is a better floor option than upside chase, which carries plenty of value on a two-game night. Niskanen is averaging 22:34 per night with seven helpers, 24 shots and 21 blocked shots through 15 games this season. At this salary, he's a nice play if the price fits your lineup strategy.
