This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Wednesdays are often a lightly scheduled night in the NHL, but there are six games on the Hump Day docket this week. Looking at the player pool, spending up for at least one go-to pivot is encouraged. Here are a handful of players to consider across multiple price points while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, CGY vs. COL ($7,700): After a dreadful start to his tenure with Calgary, Elliott has won four consecutive games with a .918 save percentage and 2.00 GAA. Add a matchup against the worst team in the league and a cushy salary, and Elliott presents excellent value. The biggest concern is the likelihood he's a chalky play.
CENTER
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. MON ($8,700): Facing the injury-riddled Canadiens on the wrong end of back-to-back road games checks out as a soft spot for the Stars to draw a typically tough team, especially considering the heightened dramatics during their stop in Nashville on Tuesday. In a smaller player pool, Seguin's recent form (six goals, 16 points and 54 shots over his past 16 games) matches nicely with his dominant production since joining Dallas. After all, his 3.23 points per 60 minutes rank second among all skaters with 5,000 minutes the past four years.
Claude Giroux, PHI vs. NYR ($7,700): It's possible to spend up for both Giroux and Seguin, but the Flyer is a cheaper alternative at the top of the center ranks. New York's depth chart is beginning to thin due to injuries, and the Rangers lost to Buffalo on Tuesday. Typically, this would be a prime rebound opportunity for the Blueshirts, but Philadelphia also lost four straight road games and has been stewing over the last defeat since Sunday. Giroux has gone 10 games without a multi-point showing despite being the top offensive center in all situations, too. It's a ripe scenario for a slump-busting performance.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG at FLA ($7,100): Considering his high shot volume, talent and contest-winning upside, this salary doesn't match Laine's fantasy profile. He's sixth in the league in goals per 60 minutes (1.64) among all skaters with at least 500 minutes, and the rookie is averaging 2.65 shots per game. Florida has also lost four consecutive home games, allowing 13 goals during that skid.
Anthony Mantha, DET at ANA ($5,300): The Ducks have allowed 3.38 goals per night through their past 16 games, and Mantha is in the midst of a midseason heater. He's sporting a six-game point streak with five goals and nine points, but the rookie has been even better through his past four games: 17 shots and an average of 19:18 of ice per night (2:31 with the man advantage). Many still view Anaheim as a difficult matchup, which makes the potential of lower ownership even more attractive at Mantha's affordable salary.
Jayson Megna, VAN vs. ARI ($3,100): Even with a top-line gig alongside Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin of late, Megna hasn't found the scoresheet since his two-goal showing Dec. 8. However, as long as he's being handed favorable offensive minutes, he checks out as an upside source of cap relief at his salary. Additionally, this is a great matchup thanks to Arizona allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.58) in the league.
DEFENSE
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at VAN ($5,900): The fantasy results are beginning to trickle in a little more steadily of late, as Ekman-Larsson has six points, 17 shots and 10 blocked shots while averaging 23:44 of ice time (4:32 with the man advantage) through his past nine games. The Canucks have won four consecutive games and could be ripe for a letdown against the basement-dwelling Coyotes.
Ivan Provorov, PHI vs. NYR ($4,500): The game is slowing down for the rookie, and Provorov has been acing the eye test over the past few weeks. It hasn't been fully translating into fantasy results, but he has two goals, seven points, 22 shots, 34 blocked shots and an average of 22:54 on the ice (1:45 with the man advantage) through his past 14 games. His cross-category production presents a solid floor, especially at this affordable salary.
