This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are just three games in the NHL on Wednesday,, and it's a slate without any glaring mismatches. Additionally, the Rangers are the only club on the second leg of a back-to-back set. With that in mind, here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLM vs. TOR ($9,100): It's been a dominant campaign for Bobrovsky (.931 save percentage and 2.04 GAA), and he sports an 8-0-1 record with a .961 save percentage and 1.21 GAA over his last nine games. A date with Toronto is far from a cakewalk, but with the Leafs' underwhelming 15-13-8 road record, another gem from Bobrovsky is within reach. The pricing in Wednesday's player pool is also soft enough that you can empty your wallet for elite talents and build around them.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at ANA ($8,800): It's always risky fading the best scorer in a shallow player pool, and McDavid has rattled off six multi-point showings through his past 16 games for seven goals, 21 points and 49 shots. The Ducks are a tough draw, but Jonathan Bernier is also primed for a letdown outing. He's posted a .969 save percentage and allowed just five goals through his past five games, after all.
John Tavares, NYI at NYR ($8,400): Scorching hot since mid-January, Tavares should have a little more time and space with the Rangers on the wrong end of back-to-back games Wednesday. The elite pivot has piled up 16 goals, 34 points and 126 shots through his past 32 games, and the Blueshirts have also allowed the sixth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes through their latest 45 games.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. EDM ($6,000): Over their past 25 games, the Oilers have allowed the fourth most high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five per 60 minutes (11.49), and Rakell sports a five game point streak with four goals, two helpers and 18 shots. The 23-year-old forward also ranks second in goals per 60 minutes (1.74) among all skaters with at least 500 minutes this season. This might also prove to be a sneaky schedule spot with Edmonton playing its first road game in March.
Andres Lee, NYI at NYR ($5,100): Sporting a 13th-ranked 1.45 goals per 60 minutes among all skaters with 1,000 minutes, Lee has gelled with John Tavares, and the winger also helps mitigate Tavares' hefty salary. The duo have combined for 3.28 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season, and Lee is in line for a rebound showing, considering that he has just a goal and a helper through his past six outings.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, CLM vs. TOR ($4,300): Recently promoted to the No. 1 power-play unit, the 21-year-old forward has provided more offense of late with four goals, six points and 25 shots through his past eight games. With Toronto allowing the fourth-most scoring
chances per 60 minutes (30.2), Bjorkstrand checks out as a sneaky flier and source of cap relief.
DEFENSE
Nick Leddy, NYI at NYR ($4,500): Another modestly priced option to consider stacking with John Tavares, Leddy has provided an uptick in offense of late with two tallies and seven points while averaging 21:37 per outing (2:41 on the power play) through his past 10 outings. It's worth noting that he doesn't stuff the peripheral categories, so his floor isn't as reliable for cash games.
Sami Vatanen, ANA vs. EDM ($4,100): It's been a pedestrian run from Vatanen of late: just two helpers, 22 shots and 13 blocked shots through his past eight outings. However, his price reflects this season's offensive decline, and the 25-year-old rearguard still averages 21:42 of ice time and 2:27 on the power play with the No. 1 unit. Speculating that Vatanen's 2.9 shooting percentage sees positive regression sooner than later is going to pay off. He's scored a single goal through his past 62 shots and 34 games.
