This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's hard to look at Wednesday's three NHL games and not be struck by the lopsidedness of the matchups. We've got Pittsburgh taking on Winnipeg, Ottawa squaring off with Dallas, and Boston facing Detroit. Those are all matchups you will want to take advantage of; let's explore how to maximize our benefit from them.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT at DAL ($8,100): Anderson has averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game, which is the most of any goalie in action Wednesday. Sure, he's missed some time, but the fact remains that he's posted a 1.78 GAA and .944 save percentage in nine games since returning. Dallas has scored 2.82 goals per game, but on the flip side, the Stars have allowed 3.18 goals per contest. Anderson should get a good amount of goal support, and that increases his chances of picking up a win – the key to DFS success.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS vs. DET ($5,300): Krejci has eight points in his last 10 games, and there's plenty of reason to believe that success will continue against Detroit. The Red Wings have allowed 2.97 goals per game, but they will also be on the second night of a back-to-back. That could mean Jared Coreau (3.27 GAA, .893 save percentage) in net for Detroit. However, even if that isn't the case, this matchup bodes well for Krejci, who also has 12 power-play points.
Derick Brassard, OTT at DAL ($5,00): Brassard has started 36.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is fourth on the Senators. That should benefit him against the Stars, who have given up 3.18 goals per game; their goalies have a collective .896 save percentage. Additionally, Dallas owns the league's worst penalty kill. Brassard may only have six power-play points, but he's averaged 2:35 per game with the extra man. If he's going to have more luck on the power play, this would seemingly be the matchup for it. Brassard only has a 7.8 shooting percentage, so improved luck could be in his future.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT at WPG ($6,600): Kessel is one of the most offensively oriented players in the league. He's started 41.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, well above league average, and he's also averaged 3:37 per game with the extra man. Kessel has also made all that power-play time pay off, notching a whopping 27 power-play points. The Jets have the 25th-ranked penalty kill, so this is a matchup that bodes exceedingly well for the sniping winger.
Frank Vatrano, BOS vs. DET ($4,700): Vatrano has only played in 32 games, but he's notched 86 shots on net while averaging 2:02 on the power play in that time. He's also started 39.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is the most of any Boston forward. As noted earlier, the Red Wings have allowed 2.97 goals per game, and they've also given up 30.7 shots on net per contest. Throw in the fact Detroit will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and Vatrano has some real fantasy potential.
Zack Smith, OTT at DAL ($4,400): Smith has averaged 2.6 fantasy points per game, and he's notched 16 goals and 15 assists in 62 games. He's averaged a career-high 16:32 of ice time, and he's currently listed as the first-line right wing for the Senators. The Stars have allowed 3.18 goals per game, and they were even worse in February, giving up 3.58 goals per contest. Smith is a relatively cheap option in a great matchup, which is what making him such an intriguing fantasy option.
DEFENSE
Dion Phaneuf, OTT at DAL ($4,300): As previously mentioned, Dallas is at the bottom of the league in penalty-kill percentage. For his part, Phaneuf has tallied 15 power-play points, so he's definitely the kind of player who can take advantage of the Stars' defensive issues. He's tallied 136 shots on net and blocked 123 shots, both of which bode well for this matchup. The Stars have allowed 30.7 shots on goal per tilt, but they've also averaged 59.4 shot attempts per 60 minutes, seventh in the NHL.
Mark Streit, PIT at WPG ($4,100): Streit has only played two games with the Penguins, but he's notched two points (one on the power play) while tallying eight shots on goal. The veteran has averaged 20:00 of ice time, and he's started 41.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. As such, it seems like Streit will have a significant, offensive-minded role with Pittsburgh. The Jets have allowed 3.11 goals per game, and they were even worse in February, surrendering a league-worst 3.73 goals per contest.
