This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are six games on the NHL slate Wednesday. On paper, the games don't seem terribly exciting, but that doesn't really matter for daily fantasy purposes. There are a few good matchups to take advantage of on that front, and we're here to help you maximize those advantages.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. WPG ($7,900): The Jets rank 17th in goals for and 26th in goals against, and their special teams aren't any better. They also will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, having played in Tampa on Tuesday. Luongo got a couple games off at the end of 2016, so he will be well-rested for this one. That's a good thing for the aging netminder, who has a .920 save percentage on the season.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. COL ($6,100): Monahan has been streaky all season. After a slow start, he put up 12 points in 10 games before his recent five-game scoring slump. However, Colorado is giving up 3.35 goals per game thanks in no small part to the 25th-ranked penalty kill. Monahan averages 3:15 a night with the extra man, and he has eight power-play points, so he's in good position to end his slump against the worst team in the league.
Brandon Sutter, VAN vs. ARI ($4,700): Sutter picked up an assist in his last contest, breaking a six-game slump by notching his 19th point. He's currently averaging career-high minutes (19:38) and power-play time (3:10). The Coyotes are giving up 34.4 shots on goal per tilt, giving Sutter a chance to take advantage of one of the more porous defenses in the NHL. That makes him a potential steal at this price.
WING
Corey Perry, ANA vs. DET ($6,400): Perry has been hindered by bad luck this season, as he's only tallied seven goals on 111 shots, good for a 6.3 shooting percentage that's well below his career average. His luck should turn around eventually, and this is a good time for it. Petr Mrazek has struggled and Jared Coreau has been anything but an instant star in the Detroit net, so this matchup could help bring Perry some of that luck he's been looking for.
Radim Vrbata, ARI at VAN ($5,500): Vancouver is a good matchup for Arizona, as the Canucks are giving up 2.95 goals and 30.7 shots on goal per game. However, only the ex-Canuck Vrbata seems primed to take advantage. Vrbata's 24 points lead the Coyotes, and he's also put 113 shots on goal in 37 games.
Anthony Mantha, DET at ANA ($5,200): Mantha has been a rare bright spot for the Wings this season. The 22-year-old has a six-game point streak in which he's notched nine points and has seen his ice time rise dramatically. Meanwhile, Anaheim goaltender John Gibson isn't too daunting a concern, as he only has a 2.59 GAA and .911 save percentage.
DEFENSEMEN
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. WPG ($4,400): Yandle leads the Panthers in power-play points with nine. The Jets are 27th in penalty-kill percentage, and Michael Hutchinson (3.18 GAA, .894 save percentage) could be in net on the second night of the back-to-back. Yandle's power-play prowess combined with Winnipeg's penalty-killing woes could be a real boon for your lineup.
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. ARI ($4,200): Edler missed a lot of time this season, but now he's healthy, and he's averaged 22:27 of ice time in his four games since returning, collecting two points along the way. While Troy Stecher became the most interesting Vancouver blueliner in Edler's absence, the veteran is actually averaging more fantasy points per game (2.6 to 2.4). As previously mentioned, the Coyotes have been woeful defensively, making Edler an interesting low-priced option.
