This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are just four games in the NHL on Wednesday, so you'll have to be creative to differentiate your selections for tournaments. It's also worth noting that the Kings and Capitals are both on the second leg of back-to-back road games. Here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, CGY vs. LOS ($8,700): The Kings have scored just 2.06 goals per 60 minutes through their past 22 games, not to mention averaging the second-fewest goals per road game (2.03) for the season. With Elliott sporting an elite 14-1-1 record, .937 save percentage and 1.85 GAA over his past 16 games, this is a great spot to spend up for the netminder, especially with the Kings entering the wrong end of consecutive road games.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at COL ($7,100): Consistency is often underrated in daily contests, and it can be especially important in a small player pool. Backstrom has found the scoresheet in 31 of his past 38 games, totaling 13 goals, 52 points and 72 shots in that span. It's an impressive run, and he grabs a favorable matchup Wednesday against Colorado. Not only do the Avalanche allow the most goals per game (3.36) and own the worst team save percentage (.894), but they've lost six straight games and surrendered 30 goals in the process.
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. LOS ($6,900): Locked into an impressive offensive run over the past month, Monahan has piled up seven goals, 21 points and 35 shots over his past 17 games. He grabs the Kings on the second leg of a back-to-back road set, which should soften what's typically a tough matchup. Facing Los Angeles might also keep Monahan's ownership in check.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at COL ($8,300): The star winger showcased his contest-winning upside Tuesday against Minnesota with three power-play tallies and an assist. He also fired six shots on net, which highlights his high floor, as No. 8 paces the league in shots per 60 minutes with a 12.77 mark. Ovechkin doesn't need to repeat Tuesday's effort to cruise over value Wednesday, either. As noted, this is a much softer matchup against Colorado.
Jaden Schwartz, STL at ARI ($6,100): Arizona has allowed the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.09), and Schwartz has found his offensive touch with four goals, 12 points and 36 shots through his past 12 games. Playing with Vladimir Tarasenko in all situations is a significant boon for his fantasy stock, too, as the duo has combined for 3.11 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past four years.
Nick Schmaltz, CHI at PIT ($4,500): The Penguins are dealing with multiple injuries and have allowed the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.0) through their past 25 games, so this matchup has sneaky upside. Schmaltz's salary still hasn't caught up to his recent production, as the rookie has picked up 19 points through his past 20 games and remains in a top-line role alongside Jonathan Toews. The pair has also combined for an impressive 3.70 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, STL at ARI ($5,600): There's no reason to shy from Pietrangelo until his salary matches his recent high-end form, and that's especially the case against a favorable opponent like Arizona. As noted, this a soft matchup, and Pietrangelo has four goals, 12 points, 36 shots and 32 blocked shots through his last 15 outings; he should be expected to keep it going.
Trevor van Riemsdyk, CHI at PIT ($3,700): A low-priced flier in a potentially sneaky matchup, van Riemsdyk is worth considering as a means to open up spending room at other positions. He's also posted a respectable two goals, six points, 16 shots and 17 blocked shots through his past 10 games, too. Cap relief isn't the only value that van Riemsdyk brings to the table.
