This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are just three games in the NHL on Wednesday, and the shallow player pool doesn't offer easy avenues to differentiating your selections for tournaments. With that in mind, here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT at DAL ($8,600): Through nine outings since returning from a personal absence from the club, Anderson has seven wins with a .944 save percentage and 1.78 GAA. Dallas owns an admirable offense that's averaged 3.0 goals per game since the All-Star break, but Ottawa has also allowed just 2.38 during the same span. There's obviously some risk here, so we can hope that keeps Anderson's ownership in check.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT at WPG ($8,700): It's been a season-long offensive binge for Malkin. He paces the league in points per 60 minutes (3.79) among all skaters with at least 1,000 minutes, and he's piled up seven goals, 13 points and 26 shots through 10 games since returning from a knee injury. Additionally, look for Pittsburgh's No. 1 power-play unit to take advantage of Winnipeg's penalty killers, as the Jets have allowed 8.43 goals per 60 minutes while shorthanded – the fourth-highest mark in the league.
Derick Brassard, OTT at DAL ($5,300): This is a reasonable salary for Ottawa's No. 1 center, and his underwhelming offensive numbers should keep his ownership down. After all, Brassard snapped a five-game point drought last time out with just his 12th goal of the season. He's projected to play with Mark Stone, and that duo has combined for 3.05 goals per 60 minutes along with a 56.1 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 this season. Dallas has allowed the second-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.09), too.
WING
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. DET ($7,900): With 13 goals, 23 points, 45 shots and 19:58 of average ice time (3:00 on the power play) through his past 16 games, Marchand is scorching hot. This salary doesn't match his current form, and Detroit enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road games after losing in Toronto on Tuesday. Marchand has established himself as an elite scorer; he owns the seventh-most points per 60 minutes (3.14) among all skaters with at least 1,000 minutes
Mark Stone, OTT at DAL ($5,800): A mid-priced option to pair with projected linemate Derick Brassard, Stone has posted a solid 2.6 points per 60 minutes this season and is well on his way to a third consecutive 60-point campaign. As noted, Dallas is a ripe matchup, and Stone has some positive offensive regression ahead after netting just two assists through his past five outings.
Carl Hagelin, PIT at WPG ($3,700): The 28-year-old speedster is expected to skate with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel at even strength Wednesday, and that trio has combined for a solid 4.71 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 over the past two years. While he's nothing more than a low-priced flier with just three helpers through his past 14 games, Hagelin's salary helps mitigate Malkin's hefty price tag while providing upside if this line can gel again.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, PIT at WPG ($6,000): With Kris Letang (upper body) out again, Schultz slides into the quarterback role with the No. 1 power-play unit. As noted, Winnipeg has struggled significantly while shorthanded, and Schultz has posted a second-ranked 2.22 points per 60 minutes among all defensemen with at least 1,000 minutes. He also has consecutive multi-point outings, including three points with the man advantage.
Torey Krug, BOS vs. DET ($5,600): In the midst of a career year, Krug has hit the scoresheet in nine of his past 12 games for two goals, 13 points, 22 shots and 22 blocked shots. He provides a high floor and offers significant upside. Krug's 1.82 points per 60 minutes rank sixth among all defensemen with at least 1,250 minutes this season, and as mentioned, Detroit is playing its second road game in as many nights.
