This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's a light five-game night in the NHL on Wednesday with a number of intriguing matchups. Here are a handful of players across multiple price points to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. CAR ($9,300): With Carolina averaging just 2.42 goals per game and Pittsburgh boasting a 15-2-2 home record, Murray is in line for a bounce-back showing following a rare rough outing against Columbus on Thursday (six goals allowed on 23 shots). Don't fret the weak showing. The Blue Jackets are an admirable opponent, and Murray posted a 13-3-1 record, .928 save percentage and 2.14 GAA through his previous 18 games.
CENTER
Jeff Carter, LOS at VAN ($7,600): Quietly posting an excellent season, Carter's price stands out as an excellent value in a great matchup. His 2.82 points per 60 minutes this season rank 10th among all skaters with at least 600 minutes, and his 10.8 shots per 60 rank fourth. It helps that the Canucks have allowed the third-most scoring chances per game in the league (28.89).
Nick Bjugstad, FLA vs. TOR ($4,900): The 24-year-old pivot is two years removed from a solid 24-goal, 43-point showing with 207 shots, and he's registered just a single goal and assist through 16 games this year. However, he's projected to skate in a second-line gig with Vincent Trochek and Jussi Jokinen, and he has a potentially solid matchup with Toronto allowing the fourth-most scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league (28.8). Just don't confuse Bjugstad for anything other than a contrarian flier.
WING
Max Pacioretty, MON at TAM ($7,300): It's been an up-and-down campaign for Pacioretty, but he's a nightly multi-point threat who's back to playing top offensive minutes in all situations. Additionally, Pacioretty's 1.43 goals per 60 minutes rank second in the league among all skaters with 5,000 minutes over the past four years. Expect him to carry low ownership, too.
Conor Sheary, PIT vs. CAR ($5,200): While he's slowed down with just two assists over his past six games, Sheary continues to be locked in with Sidney Crosby, which buoys his fantasy stock. The duo has combined for 3.6 goals per 60 minutes and a 57.0 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five, and Sheary's salary sticks out as a source of savings.
Connor Brown, TOR at FLA ($3,700): A low-priced flier who could hover under the radar, Brown has two goals, an assist and seven shots over his past two games while averaging 19:46 of ice time. He's clicking with Austin Matthews and is a favorite of head coach Mike Babcock. Brown is a player on the rise.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LOS at VAN ($6,300): An uptick in shot volume is often followed by offensive results, and Doughty has 13 shots with just a single assist through his past three games. He always logs huge minutes (27:01 with 3:21 on the power play) and lands in a great matchup against the Canucks on Wednesday. Vancouver has allowed the third-most scoring chances per game in the league (28.89).
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. CAR ($5,000): With another goal Tuesday, Schultz has improved to seven tallies, 17 points and 28 shots through his past 14 games. Over the six games for which Kris Letang's absence has left Schultz atop the Penguins' depth chart, the 26-year-old defenseman has averaged 23:53 of ice per night at 3:56 with the man advantage. He's a lineup lock until his price catches up to his production.
