DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Picks

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Updated on October 4, 2017 11:27AM EST

GOALIE

Mike Smith, CGY at EDM ($7,000): Wild things happen on Opening Night, and Smith presents tremendous cap relief behind an elite defense corps. Edmonton brings a potent offense to the table, but the Oilers also underwent a significant offseason roster overhaul. While Calgary will be sizeable underdogs, Smith projects to be scarcely owned and boasts the risk-reward outlook to consider in tournaments.

CENTER

Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. TOR ($6,600): Toronto and Winnipeg met twice last season and there were nine goals scored in each game. Scheifele's price doesn't align with his strong showing last season, as he finished eighth in scoring and logged over 20 minutes of ice per game. The Maple Leafs might have tidied up defensively, but they still allowed the third most shots and scoring chances per 60 minutes last season.

Jordan Weal, PHI at SJ ($3,100): A bargain-bin flier, Weal finished off last season with seven goals and 11 points over his final 16 games with the Flyers. The accomplished AHL scorer returns to an offensive role with the Flyers and obviously offers tremendous cap relief. He should also carry a low ownership percentage.

WING

William Nylander, TOR at WPG ($5,800): As noted, the bout between the Maple Leafs and Jets has the potential to be a back-and-forth, high-scoring game. Nylander posted an impressive 2.82 points per 60 minutes last season and has shown excellent chemistry with Auston Matthews during their early careers. For what it's worth, Nylander recorded four goals and seven points through four preseason games, too.

Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. STL ($5,700): Speaking of preseason success, Guentzel picked up where he left off last season with 10 points through five exhibition games. The winger combined with Sidney Crosby for 3.8 goals per 60 minutes last season, and the duo project to kick-start the season together at even strength. This is a manageable salary for Guentzel considering his output last year.

Kevin Labanc, SAN vs. PHI ($3,100): Confirming San Jose's lines will be important before locking Labanc into lineups, but the 21-year-old winger has been practicing with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the top unit. Labanc recorded a respectable 39 points through 74 games during his first professional season last year (19 AHL games), and he's currently priced for profit.

DEFENSE

Brent Burns, SJ vs. PHI ($7,900): There's a good chance Burns will be a popular option Wednesday. He offers a tremendous floor after leading the league in shots last season, and he also blocked 1.7 shots per game. Obviously, his offensive upside presents a high ceiling, as well. Burns paced all defensemen with 2.2 points per 60 minutes last year, after all.

Jake Gardiner, TOR at WPG ($4,400): A sneaky stack option with William Nylander, Gardiner is coming off a career year (43 points) and skates on the same power-play unit as Nylander. Gardiner's 1.5 points per 60 minutes ranked 14th among all defensemen with at least 1,000 minutes played last season. He projects to log approximately 22 minutes of offensively tilted ice time, as he isn't utilized in a shut-down role.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.