This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are only two NHL games Wednesday. However, considering how few days are left in the NHL regular season, we should savor every contest that remains to us. Even though there are only four teams in action, you can still play some daily fantasy hockey on DraftKings. If you do, here are some players to target.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. NYR ($8,000): Sure, the pickings in net are slim Wednesday, but there's one choice that stands out above the rest. The Capitals will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and they've saved Holtby for this game. His elite stats and those of his teammates need no expounding, but here's one you may not know: The Capitals are a mighty 31-6-2 at home, while the Rangers are 3-3-4 in their last 10 games. Additionally, the Blueshirts are sitting a number of players, including captain Ryan McDonagh, as they rest up for the playoffs, while Henrik Lundqvist has struggled to the tune of a 3.92 GAA and a .873 save percentage in his past four starts. That increases Holtby's chances of picking up a win.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. NYR ($5,400): As was just noted, Lundqvist has struggled in his last few starts; additionally, the Rangers have the 23rd-ranked penalty kill. Kuznetsov has started 36.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's tallied 13 points with the extra man. With so few teams in action, you might as well grab Kuznetsov and hope Lundqvist's struggles continue.
Phillip Danault, MON at BUF ($4,600): The Canadiens pretty clearly have the best matchup Wednesday; after all, the Sabres have allowed 2.82 goals and a league-high 34.3 shots on net per contest. Montreal's center position isn't all that impressive, but Danault is the top-liner, and he comes at a reasonable price. He's also picked up eight points in his last nine games.
WING
Alex Galchenyuk, MON at BUF ($5,000): Galchenyuk has started a whopping 43.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, the top number on the Habs by a wide margin, and he should see his chances Wednesday against the generous Buffalo defense, which includes the league's 27th-ranked penalty kill. The young Hab has tallied 15 power-play points in 58 games, so he's in good position to take advantage of this matchup.
Marcus Johansson, WAS vs. NYR ($4,900): While Lundqvist has struggled in net for the Rangers, Johansson has been surging down the stretch -- 13 points in his last 13 games. He's also started 36.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone and averaged 2:51 per game on the power play. Johansson has notched 19 of his points with the extra man, and as previously mentioned, the Blueshirts have struggled while shorthanded.
Brendan Gallagher, MON at BUF ($4,400): Gallagher has had terrible puck luck this season, posting a 5.7 shooting percentage. However, he's taken 177 shots on goal in 61 games, and now he's facing a Buffalo team that's allowed a league-high 34.3 shots on net per contest. He's also played 2:05 per game on the power play, and while Gallagher hasn't had much luck there either, perhaps a matchup with the league's fourth-worst penalty kill can change that for one night.
DEFENSEMEN
Kevin Shattenkirk, WAS vs. NYR ($5,600): Since becoming a Capital, Shattenkirk has averaged a hearty 3:40 per game with the extra man. He's found success on special teams as well, notching seven power-play points among his 13 total points in 16 games with Washington. Now he gets to go up against the
shorthanded Rangers and their 23rd-ranked penalty kill. That sounds like a recipe for fantasy success.
Andrei Markov, MTL at BUF ($4,700): Markov has lost a step, but he's still an offensive-minded defenseman. He's started 32.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, the most among Montreal's regular defensemen. Markov has also averaged 2:35 a game on the man advantage, resulting in 12 power-play points in 60 games. As previously elaborated upon, the Sabres make for a fantasy-friendly matchup, and all those same stats apply here.
