This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
This week, Wednesday is only slightly busier than Friday, when there will be zero games on the docket because of the All-Star break. There are only four games Wednesday, making for a light slate. However, that doesn't mean you can't roll out a DraftKings lineup. You're going to have to take a few days off soon anyway; might as well to make the most of your chance to play now.
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, VAN at COL ($7,900): Markstrom is getting the start Wednesday, which means he's in line for a matchup with the league's worst team. The Avalanche have lost six games in a row, and they're dead last in both goals and goals against. Markstrom has the best chance of picking up a win of any goalie Wednesday, and it might not even be close.
CENTER
Tyler Bozak, TOR at DET ($5,100): Detroit is the only team playing both Tuesday and Wednesday, and that could mean the scuffling Petr Mrazek (3.13 GAA, .895 save percentage) in net for the Wings. Bozak has been hot recently, notching nine points in his last eight games. Impressively, seven of those points have come on the power play; he has 10 points with the extra man on the year. With Detroit's penalty kill ranking a mediocre 18th in the league, Bozak's power-play success could very well continue in this one.
J.T. Miller, NYR vs. PHI ($5,000): Miller is averaging 3.1 fantasy points per game, and he's been even better recently, as he has 13 points in his last 11 contests. The Flyers have allowed an average of 3.13 goals per contest, which increases Miller's chances of staying hot. Considering the rather reasonable price, it's well worth seeing whether he can keep his hot streak going.
WING
Mitch Marner, TOR at DET ($5,900): We've already mentioned a few of the pertinent facts about the Wings, including Mrazek's less-than-stellar numbers. However, even if the Czech doesn't start, that means 25-year-old rookie Jared Coreau – who has not exactly lit the world on fire – will have to start back-to-back games. Marner is averaging an impressive 3.5 fantasy points per tilt, and he's notched 13 points with the extra man, including seven in his last 10 games.
Daniel Sedin, VAN at COL ($5,400): Sedin isn't the player he used to be, but he could definitely rekindle some of that magic against the lowly Avs. The sniping-oriented twin is still pretty active, as he's notched 125 shots in 48 games. He's also tallied nine power-play points, and the Avalanche rank 25th in penalty-kill percentage.
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs. VAN ($4,500): Yes, the Avalanche's offense is terrible, but that doesn't mean a Colorado player can't be a good value Wednesday. And yes, Landeskog is having a rough season, just like most of his teammates; however, he's shown positive signs lately, registering 28 shots on goal over his last seven contests. The Canucks have allowed 30.8 shots on goal per game, so at this price against a non-elite goalie, it's worth taking a shot on Landeskog. He doesn't have to do much to return solid value.
DEFENSE
Jake Gardiner, TOR at DET ($5,400): As previously noted, the Wings rank 18th in penalty-kill percentage, and they're 21st in January thanks in part to the loss of Jimmy Howard to injury. Meanwhile, Gardiner has averaged 2:35 per game with the extra man, leading to eight power-play points on the year. With 23 points in 45 games, he's in the midst of a solid season and has a good chance to keep it going in this relatively soft matchup.
Dan Girardi, NYR vs. PHI ($3,300): If you're looking for a bargain-basement option to save a few bucks, Girardi is an intriguing option. He's averaging 2.2 fantasy points per contest, which is not a lot, but it is more than most players on the cheap end of the spectrum. Almost all of Girardi's fantasy value has come from blocking shots – he's already stood in front of 122 pucks in 44 games. The Flyers are fourth in the league in shots on goal per game, so Girardi should have plenty of opportunities to give up his body and earn easy fantasy points.
