This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
A Game 7/Game 1 combo makes for an exciting contest Wednesday. Nashville and Anaheim wrap up the first round, while the Lightning and Islanders kick-start the second round.
A quick handicap of the two games suggests the low-scoring nature of the Ducks-Predators series will continue. The Islanders and Lightning could offer more scoring, but Ben Bishop has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of his past 15 games, and Thomas Greiss allowed just nine goals through the final five games of the series against the Panthers.
All that said, what we know about the Anaheim-Nashville tilt likely isn't any more significant than the unknown of a new series. So, while you'll want to take a few risks to differentiate your lineups, targeting high-floor players with strong peripheral statistics is most critical with so few options in the player pool.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, ANA vs. NSH ($36): With a .955 save percentage and just five goals allowed through four games since taking over the crease in the series, Andersen's reasonable cap hit offers strong value Wednesday. Plus, he hasn't lost at home since the calendar flipped to 2016 and boasts a .942 save percentage through those 11 games.
Player to avoid:
Pekka Rinne, NSH at ANA ($33): Among goalies with at least 2000 minutes played this season, Rinne ranks last in high-danger save percentage, according to war-on-ice.com. He hasn't been sharp in the first round either, as Rinne owns an underwhelming .901 save percentage and a 2.68 GAA.
CENTER
Alan Quine, NYI at TB ($15): There is an out-of-nowhere showing each spring, and this year, Quine is a prime candidate to have a storybook run. He was involved in both game-winning goals to advance the Islanders to the second round, and the rookie might have landed permanent residence alongside superstar John Tavares ($33). For now, take a speculative stab on Quine's fleeting boost in value skating atop the depth chart.
Player to avoid:
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NSH ($24): While he has a goal in consecutive outings, Kesler's No. 1 task in Game 7 will be shutting down the opposition's top line. Additionally, he has missed the scoresheet in three of the first six games of the series, which makes him a boom-or-bust flier Wednesday. The cap hit requires the boom, too.
WING
Corey Perry, ANA vs. NSH ($22): If there is a cup to raise or a medal to put around your neck, Perry has lifted and donned them all. He has gone six games without a goal during this series despite his 14 shots on net. Through his final 36 home games of the regular season, Pery scored 23 goals. Expect a solid fantasy showing Wednesday.
Player to avoid:
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. NYI ($32): Assuming the two teams go mano a mano with top lines, Kucherov will match up against John Tavares. Tavares helped limit the No. 1 line from Florida (Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr) to three goals during their six-game series. Kucherov is an elite talent with eight points including five goals through five games during the playoffs, but his salary requires another multi-point game, and that could be a tall order Wednesday.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYI ($19): With an average ice time of 27:02, including 4:18 of the power play variety, Hedman's single assist in the first round was a little underwhelming. And while he registered 14 shots and nine blocked shots, his salary is well within profit territory given his heavy workload. The peripheral coverage provides an excellent floor, too.
Player to avoid:
Thomas Hickey, NYI at TB ($20): A strong finish during the first round victory over the Panthers (a goal and two assists through the final four games) has Hickey's salary out of whack with his true fantasy value. Remember, he had just 18 points through 62 regular season games, and there are cheaper defensemen with higher upside in the player pool Wednesday.
