This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The Wednesday NHL slate features three games with stars such as Connor McDavid, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Tyler Seguin in action. If you're looking to roster some of the high-priced studs, finding value is imperative. Here are some recommendations…
Goalie
Brian Elliott, PHI vs VAN ($7,700): Elliot will look to bounce back from his last performance against the Flames, when he surrendered two leads and ultimately lost in overtime. The Canucks head into this matchup averaging just 2.55 goals per game, the fifth lowest mark in the NHL. Elliot seems to be a safe value option on this slate even if his upside isn't sky high.
Center
Jonathan Drouin, MTL at DAL ($5,500): Drouin has been skating on the second line of late with Alex Galchenyuk and Paul Byron. He's averaging a bit over 17 minutes per game and close to three shots on goal. With three goals and ten assists, Drouin hasn't consistently gotten things going just yet, which can be said for many of the Canadiens. Drouin is a good bet to produce on Tuesday against Dallas, which has allowed 18 goals in its last four games.
Paul Stastny, STL vs EDM ($5,300): Stastny skates on the second line with Vladimir Sobotka and Alex Steen, on the power play where he has a goal, and in shorthanded situations where he also has scored. He's recorded points in each of his last three games, totaling five assists and averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game over that span. He's a nice value at the position on this slate and has some upside as he gets more pucks to the net than your average center with 2.29 shots on goal per game.
Wing
Drake Caggiula, EDM at STL ($3,600): Caggiula was moved up to the top line in the Oilers' last game and he responded right away with two goals, one of which came shorthanded. Anytime you can get a player skating on the same line as Connor McDavid at a value like this, you have to at least consider him.
Alex Galchenyuk, MTL at DAL ($4,600): Galchenyuk is another one of the Canadiens that got off to a slow start. He's skating on the second line with Drouin and Paul Byron and is also seeing time on the first power-play unit. He may have just eight points (four goals, four assists), but Galchenyuk is averaging 2.43 shots on goal per game and I highlighted the recent defensive struggles the Stars have had.
Sven Baertschi, VAN at PHI ($4,400): Baertschi has goals in three of his last five games for a Canucks team that has had trouble lighting the lamp all season. Two of those goals came on the power play, as Baertschi sees time on the top unit as well as the top line with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. He's worth a look as a standalone value winger or as part of a pairing with either Horvat or Boeser.
Defense
Ivan Provorov, PHI vs VAN ($4,500): Provorov has been solid at a bargain salary for much of this season. He has a good floor with 2.6 shots on goal and 2.75 blocked shots per contest while averaging over 24 minutes of ice time. He has three goals and seven assists overall and averages 13.19 fantasy points per game. With his salary he may be popular, but he's a guy you can lock into your lineup and feel great about the cap flexibility he provides.
Colton Parayko, STL vs EDM ($4,600): The top defense play for the Blues is Alex Pietrangelo, but going with Parayko saves around $2,000 in salary. He has a goal and two assists over his last three games with a total of nine shots on goal. The Oilers have allowed a good amount of production to defensemen this season and Parayko, who sees time on the Blues' second power-play unit, plays well at home and has three assists and 17 shots on goal in seven career games against the Oilers.
