This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
With just three games in the NHL on Wednesday, you'll want to look for ways to different your selections without passing up on upside and value. Here are a handful of options across numerous price ranges to consider for your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Chad Johnson, CGY vs. TOR ($7,700): While he's more of a contrarian flier than a lock for success Wednesday, Johnson has been incredible in November. Through nine games this month, he's posted a .930 save percentage and a 2.01 GAA with six wins. It helps that Toronto enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road games; the Leafs also have a horrendous 2-5-4 record away from the Air Canada Centre.
CENTER
Evegni Malkin, PIT at NYI ($8,300): Despite his six helpers through the past seven games, Malkin has also failed to record a goal on 22 shots during the stretch. Still, he's averaging 3:34 of power-play time per game this year, and the Islanders are allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.45) of any team in play Wednesday.
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. TOR ($5,000): A likely against-the-grain flier, Backlund has averaged 19:12 of ice time over his past three games with 18 shots and three points. The range of outcomes are wide, but the Leafs also enter on the second leg of back-to-back road games and allow the third-most scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league (22.95).
WING
Joe Pavelski, SAN at LOS ($7,800): It's difficult to go into the Staples Center and leave with a win or big night, but the Sharks disappointed against Arizona on Tuesday, so their stars could carry lower ownerships Wednesday. Pavelski has the eighth-highest goals per 60 minutes (4.09) in the league over the past three seasons among players with at least 3,000 minutes, so if anyone's going to get on the scoreboard for San Jose, it's him.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. TOR ($4,300): A low-priced option to stack alongside Backlund, Tkachuk is averaging 2:03 of ice time per game this year and has 10 shots over his past five games with three points. Additionally, among goalies with at least 200 minutes played this season, Leafs backup Jhonas Enroth (Wednesday's starter) has the second-lowest save percentage (.866).
Jake Guentzel, PIT at NYI ($4,100): Despite a limited role (14:10 of ice time per night), Guentzel has three goals and a helper through his first four games. He's clicked with Malkin in a big way -- the duo has combined for 6.2 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, albeit in a small sample. Sure, it's a small sample size, but it's also a small player pool, and Guentzel's small salary helps mitigate Malkin's hefty toll.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SAN at LOS ($8,300): Among defensemen with at least 500 minutes over the past three seasons, Burns owns a league-best 2.00 points and 8.9 shots per 60 minutes. The NHL leader in goals and points from the blue line, he entered Tuesday's game against Arizona averaging 23:57 of ice time with 3:30 on the man advantage this year, and he could be under-owned because of his high salary.
Trevor Daley, PIT at NYI ($4,200): In a creative stack angle, Daley and Malkin have combined for 3.46 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five since the blueliner joined the Penguins. Even better, it's a 4.48 mark this season, and Malkin is the center Daley has shared the ice with most frequently. As noted, this is a juicy matchup for Pittsburgh, and Daley offers a nice fantasy floor at a modest price.
