This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's an interesting two-game slate in the NHL on Wednesday. Washington is on the wrong end of back-to-back games, the Rangers and Canadiens are playing without key cogs, and Buffalo is the only team not headed to the postseason. With all that in mind, here are a number of players to consider across multiple price ranges at FantasyDraft.
GOALIE
Buffalo Sabres, BUF vs. MON ($16,100): The Canadiens have nothing to play for and will be without Shea Weber (lower body). Buffalo was embarrassed by Toronto on Monday, so there will be plenty of motivation to snap the visiting Habs' five-game winning streak. Andres Nilsson saved 40 of 41 shots in relief Monday, and Lehner sports a .920 save percentage for the year and will want to bounce back after his poor showing last time out. Don't confuse this for anything other than a high-risk, high-reward angle, though.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NYR ($14,600): As reliable as they come, Backstrom has 18 points and 28 shots through his past 12 games. He's only missed the scoresheet three times during that stretch, too. The Rangers are missing a number of impact players and have allowed the sixth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.71) over the past 25 games, so this isn't a daunting matchup.
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. MON ($12,800): The Buffalo captain is finishing off the season strong with four goals, seven points and 19 shots through his past eight games. He's a staple on the No. 1 power-play unit and doesn't break the bank. While perhaps more of a contrarian option than go-to target, O'Reilly's still an established scorer in solid form.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR at WAS ($11,000): This is a soft price for Kreider. His power-speed combo should cause problems for Washington with the Capitals on the wrong end of a back-to-back set. Kreider is also eyeing an increased role with multiple Rangers sidelined Wednesday. In a shallow player pool, his 2.51 points and 8.83 shots per 60 minutes provide a high floor, and Kreider's also scored a goal in consecutive games.
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. NYR ($14,000): Being held off the scoresheet against Toronto on Tuesday could knock Oshie's ownership down a notch. With 17 multi-point showings this season, he presents significant upside, but the winger also owns a reasonable floor because of his role alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin in all situations.
Pavel Buchnevich, NYR at WAS ($7,500): While likely to be a popular low-priced target because of his promotion to the top line, Buchnevich still checks out as a worthwhile source of cap relief. The freshman has posted a rock-solid 2.41 points per 60 minutes, and stacks nicely with Chris Kreider as an underpriced, high-upside duo.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. MON ($12,000): Buffalo's clear-cut No. 1 defenseman has cooled of late and failed to hit the scoresheet in three consecutive games, so with a potentially tough matchup, he could carry a lower ownership percentage than he should. Ristolainen is a cross-category monster with 44 points, 180 shots, 158 blocked shots and an average of 26:37 of ice time (3:17 on the power play) for the season.
Kevin Shattenkirk, WAS vs. NYR ($11,600): The elite offensive defenseman has hit stride with his new club to the tune of 13 points, 36 shots and 23 blocked shots through his past 14 games. Quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit has helped, but beginning 63.5 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone is another huge boon. Add Shattenkirk's soft price and matchup, and he's well within profit territory.
