This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are just four games in the NHL on Wednesday, and the Penguins-Capitals bout checks out as the marquee matchup of the night. Here are a handful of players to consider across multiple price points while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Aaron Dell, SAN at CGY ($7,900): When called upon, Dell has delivered – he sports an impressive .936 save percentage and 1.78 GAA while winning four of his five starts. The Sharks are on the second leg of back-to-back road games, but Calgary has scored just 2.6 goals per game and generated the sixth-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes (24.96) this year. The rookie's salary also opens up spending opportunities at other positions.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT at WAS ($9,400): Typically, looking at a player's past production against a particular opponent isn't predictive of future results. However, as you know, Crosby isn't a typical player. He sports a league-best 4.08 points per 60 minutes this year, and there has always been added incentive when he's facing the Capitals. Through 39 career games against Washington, he has 19 goals, 55 points and 141 shots; there are enough bargains to pluck from Wednesday's pool to fit the NHL's best player into your lineup.
Vincent Trocheck, FLA at NYI ($6,300): Now that he's finding his 2015-16 form with four goals, eight points and 25 shots through his past seven games, Trocheck's stock is rising. He's also averaged 22:51 of ice with 3:25 on the power play during that stretch. Meanwhile, the Islanders have allowed the most scoring chances per 60 minutes (33.25), so the matchup also checks out.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. PIT ($8,900): More consistent of late, No. 8 has posted seven goals, 14 assists and 52 shots through his past 14 games. His upside is second to none except Crosby, so in a small player pool and without a prohibitive salary, Ovechkin is worth opening your wallet for. Additionally, with Marc-Andre Fleury sporting an unsustainable .941 save percentage and 1.84 GAA during his current five-game winning streak, a poor outing isn't out of the question for the Pittsburgh backstop.
Mathieu Perreault, WPG vs. MON ($4,700): A proven secondary scorer, Perreault is currently playing with Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler, which boosts his value. Since joining Winnipeg, Perreault has also combined with Little for a solid 3.09 goals per 60 minutes and an impressive 57.3 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five. The injury-depleted Canadiens have also allowed 27 goals through their past nine games.
Timo Meier, SAN at CGY ($3,600): Averaging three shots per game and sporting a 3.0 shooting percentage, Meier hasn't yet cashed in on a gift-wrapped gig alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski at five-on-five. After posting 34 goals and 87 points through 52 games in the QMJHL last season, his salary and role make him an upside source of cap relief despite his underwhelming recent results.
DEFENSE
Jacob Trouba, WPG vs. MON ($5,100): This is a discounted salary considering the cross-category outburst Trouba has posted of late. The 22-year-old defenseman has seven points, 22 shots and 14 blocked shots while averaging 24:32 of ice through his past seven games. His peripheral statistics provide a high fantasy floor for his offensive contributions to top up.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. FLA ($4,900): At first glance, it's been a disappointing campaign for Leddy, but he still boasts a 19th-ranked 1.31 points per 60 minutes among all defensemen with at least 4,000 minutes over the past three years. Additionally, Leddy has improved his play of late with six points, 21 shots and 24 blocked shots over his past 14 games.
