This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Wednesday is usually a bit of a hockey hammock. While Tuesday and Thursday tend to be busy nights in the NHL, Wednesday is generally a little less so. This week is no different, as there are only four games on this slate. There have been scarcer evenings, but there still isn't a wealth of options. Regardless, we're here to help you try to find values and potential steals.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN vs. OTT ($7,900): The Sharks lead the league in goals allowed, with Jones' 1.99 GAA and .924 save percentage leading the charge in that endeavor. Ottawa, on the other hand, is 23rd in goals scored, and the Sens have to make do without Craig Anderson once more. While having Mike Condon in net won't impact Jones' goaltending, it does alter San Jose's chances of winning, likely for the better – even if Condon has been impressive in limited action this season. You don't want to bet against the league's stoutest defense at home.
CENTER
Eric Staal, MIN at TOR ($6,300): Toronto's the one team playing Wednesday that's definitively sketchy when it comes to goal prevention. Although he's on a hot streak, Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen has a 2.86 GAA and a .913 save percentage for the season, and he can blow up out of nowhere on any given night. Staal has four points in his last six games, and he's taken 20 shots on goal in his last five, part of his total of 71 for the season. He's certainly been Minnesota's best center, and this matchup is enticing.
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR at ANA ($4,100): If you're looking for a budget option, consider Teravainen. While four of his 10 points came in one game, the 22-year-old is playing career-high minutes and skating 2:21 a night on the power play, where he's got four points to his credit. Anaheim has been about average at goal prevention, but John Gibson's .915 save percentage is not too intimidating, and the Ducks are 19th in penalty-kill percentage. It's a decent matchup, and Teravainen is a cheap option with upside, which often comes into play on days with so few games.
WING
Jeff Skinner, CAR at ANA ($6,600): If you want a more reliable (but more expensive) Hurricane, take a look at Skinner. He's having another impressive season, as he already has 20 points in 24 games, and he's put 85 shots on net. Additionally, Skinner already has eight power-play points, already exceeding his totals from the prior two seasons. While you couldn't necessarily call Skinner matchup-proof, he's been a prolific scorer and Anaheim isn't a prohibitive opponent.
Charlie Coyle, MIN at TOR ($5,500): Getting back to taking advantage of Minnesota's matchup with the Maple Leafs, Coyle is tied for the team lead in points for the Wild with 17, and he leads the team with nine goals. Most of his points have come in 5-on-5 play too, which is good, considering the Maple Leafs have actually been strong on the penalty kill. Coming off a 21-goal year, Coyle is just starting to make himself known as one of the NHL's better wingers.
Nino Niederreiter, MIN at TOR ($4,300): Not only is he pretty cheap, and not only does he get to go up against Toronto, but El Nino's having a solid season. After scoring at least 20 goals in his prior two seasons, Niederreiter already has seven, plus eight assists to boot. His ice time is up lately – just 14:34 on average, but he's cleared 16 minutes in three of the last four games – and he's been a consistent scoresheet presence accordingly.
DEFENSEMEN
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SAN vs. OTT ($4,400): Part of this is based on not believing entirely in Condon, given that he came into this year with a .903 save percentage in his NHL career. However, Vlasic doesn't necessarily need to light the lamp to provide a good value at this price. He's put 47 shots on goal in 25 games – a nice total for a defenseman – and he also has 42 blocks. Vlasic is the steady hand overshadowed by the flashy Brent Burns, but he will cost you $4,000 less.
Jonas Brodin, MIN at TOR ($4,100): Brodin doesn't play much on the power play (he averages 1:03 per game), but as previously mentioned, that doesn't necessarily matter against the Maple Leafs. He's still been a contributor, netting 10 points to go with 36 shots on goal and 41 blocks – good for a solid fantasy floor – and he's enjoyed strong ice time of late, averaging almost 23 minutes over the last five games.
