This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Wednesday's NHL slate begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT and features five games. Coyotes-Wild was originally supposed to be the sixth game in this slate but has been moved to earlier in the day. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
There's not too much daylight between the five favorites in this slate, as every game features a clear but not overwhelming favorite. The Jets (in Ottawa), Avalanche (in St. Louis) and Canadiens (vs. Calgary) should get the most attention by virtue of their games being tied for the highest over/under at 6.0 goals. That's not to say that there aren't also enticing options on the Golden Knights (at Los Angeles) and Sharks (vs. Anaheim), as well as Wednesday's five underdogs.
GOALIES
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. LA ($8,400): Fleury put his recent cold spell behind him by shutting out the Coyotes in his last start, improving to 18-10-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .925 save percentage overall. The veteran netminder has an excellent opportunity to build off that performance at home against a Kings team that's 3-8-0 in its last 11 games, with two or fewer goals scored in all eight of those losses.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at OTT ($8,100): Hellebuyck has been dominant over his past 10 games, going 7-2-1 with just 17 goals allowed. His success should continue against a Senators team that has yielded the most fantasy success in the league to opposing netminders by virtue of averaging the 11th-fewest goals (2.65) on the seventh-most shots (31.2) per game.
Anthony Stolarz, ANH at SJ ($7,100): The Ducks will likely go back to starter John Gibson ($7,300) in net, but Stolarz certainly earned himself another start with a 46-save shutout Monday in San Jose. If Stolarz gets another opportunity to face the Sharks, he'll be a high-ceiling bargain option after Monday's stellar effort.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Connor Brown, OTT vs. WPG ($4,000): Brown is the league's hottest goal scorer, having lit the lamp in eight consecutive games. Two of those games were against the Jets, and his lone multi-point game in this stretch came against Winnipeg, so it makes sense to keep locking Brown in while he's hot.
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at MON ($4,500): Gaudreau has heated back up after a three-game point drought and seven-game goal drought, posting a goal and an assist in each of his last two games. Considering he has a robust 15-16-31 line in 42 games this season, the former 99-point scorer is certainly capable of outperforming his modest $4,500 valuation here.
Mike Hoffman, STL vs. COL ($3,200): Hoffman looked motivated in his return to the lineup Saturday after being a healthy scratch for the previous two games, lighting the lamp twice. Offense has never been the problem for Hoffman, while his defensive deficiencies are punished much less harshly in the fantasy realm than in real life, so the five-time 25-goal scorer offers nice upside relative to his $3,200 valuation here.
Tomas Hertl, SJ vs. ANH ($6,000): Despite missing six of the team's 41 games, Hertl is tied for second on the Sharks in points with a 12-14-26 line, including a 2-4-6 line in his last seven games. San Jose's offense should find more success than it did Monday, and the Czech center figures to be among the guys leading the way.
Tomas Nosek, VGK vs. LA ($3,300): Nosek's overall numbers have been suppressed by a slow start, but he has turned things around with a 5-6-11 line over his last 15 games. Despite that recent success, the third-line center can be had for just $3,300 in this favorable home matchup against a Kings team that's been sliding down the standings.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Jets at Senators
Mark Scheifele (C - $7,200), Kyle Connor (W - $7,600), Andrew Copp (W - $5,800)
This trio should be popular against a Senators team that's surrendering a league-high 3.72 goals per game. Scheifele's 15-33-48 line through 42 games has him leading the team in points, while Connor leads the team in goals with a 19-21-40 line. Copp's recent hot streak (8-4-12 in the last 10 games) has pushed his season line up to 14-19-33, ranking him fourth team-wide in both goals and points behind Scheifele, Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers (18-24-42).
Avalanche at Blues
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $9,200), Mikko Rantanen (W - $8,100), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $7,300)
The Blues have turned things around with three consecutive wins after dropping their previous seven games, but Colorado's still capable of steamrolling them here, having won their last three meetings by a combined 13-3 margin since losing back on Opening Night. This top line has led the way in those three wins, with MacKinnon producing a 4-2-6 line, Landeskog chipping in a 2-3-5 line and Rantanen adding a goal and an assist. MacKinnon's also been on a roll over his past nine games overall, notching at least a point in each and seven multi-point performances en route to a 7-9-16 line. That hot streak has given MacKinnon the team points lead with a 17-35-52 line in 38 games, but Rantanen's still hot on his heels at 25-25-50 in 42 games. Landeskog's third in both goals (16) and points (41), including a 9-14-23 line in his last 15 appearances.
Canadiens vs. Flames
Nick Suzuki (C - $4,800), Tyler Toffoli (W - $6,900), Jake Evans (W - $2,500)
Montreal will look to capitalize on this favorable home matchup against a Flames team that's playing its second game in as many nights and has a 3-8-0 record over its last 11 games. This line offers a nice mix of productivity and affordability, which makes it stand out in the Canadiens' balanced offense. Toffoli leads the team with 19 goals in 36 games, and his 30 points are tied with defenseman Jeff Petry for the team lead, though Toffoli has played three fewer games. Suzuki's 8-17-25 line is good for both the goals and points lead among Montreal's centers, while the affordable Evans could be worth a flier if he's indeed given an opportunity alongside these two highly skilled linemates.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK at LA ($6,100): Theodore was dominant in Monday's win at Los Angeles, contributing two assists and six shots. He's among the league's top offensive blueliners with a 6-26-32 line in 38 games, and Theodore will be worth paying up for if he can even come close to replicating Monday's output in this rematch.
Neal Pionk, WPG at OTT ($4,900): Pionk's starting to get back into a groove, with two assists in his last three games to give him 26 points in 42 games this season. He's a solid mid-tier blue line option who's likely to mark the scoresheet against the defensively challenged Senators.
Vince Dunn, STL vs. COL ($3,300): Despite dishing out five assists to go with eight shots over an active three-game point streak, Dunn still costs just $3,300 here. The affordable defenseman is worth locking in despite the tough matchup, as the Blues are starting to play better hockey with a postseason berth on the line down the stretch.
Jamie Drysdale, ANH at SJ ($2,900): Drysdale is starting to show off his offensive capabilities more consistently, with a 1-2-3 line in his last six games. Developing the 2020 sixth overall pick will be among the top priorities for the Ducks over the remainder of the season, and Drysdale has the skills to capitalize on any additional opportunities, as evidenced by his 4-6-10 line in 14 games with AHL San Diego prior to Drysdale's promotion to the NHL.
