This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Four games are on the docket Wednesday night. It will start a bit later than usual, as the first two games fire up at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Predators will be on the latter half of back-to-back games while the Blues will be firing up their back-to-back set. The Avalanche (-225) are the biggest favorites, while the Blues (-130) are the slimmest, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Three of the games have a 5.5 O/U, while the Predators-Oilers has a 6.5 O/U.
All advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Frederik Andersen, CAR at CHI ($8,500): Andersen has been utterly dominant this season with a .956 save percentage and a 7-0-1 record. He's the clear chalk in this slate, so it may be best to fade him in tournament settings. However, the matchup is hard to pass up, as the Blackhawks have just one win through 10 games while recording 1.43 xGF/60 -- the second-worst rate in the league.
Jonas Johansson, COL vs. CBJ ($8,000): Johansson has posted a solid .914 save percentage over nine games since joining the Avalanche last season. The Avs provide solid defensive support and plenty of offensive help, so Johansson's opportunity for a win is high Wednesday. His matchup against the Blue Jackets is quite favorable, too, as the Jackets rank 25th in the league with 2.13 xGF/60. Consider him a contrarian play tonight.
Cal Petersen, LA vs. STL ($7,000): There's a chance Jonathan Quick ($7,000) plays tonight, but it doesn't make much of a difference. This is more about the matchup, as the Blues are missing key pieces like Ryan O'Reilly (COVID-19 protocol). The Kings' defense is stout, too, and Petersen has recorded a .920 save percentage or better in three of four games this year.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Anze Kopitar, LA vs. STL (C - $8,200): Kopitar clearly falls under the one-off category rather than the value play, but he probably will have a low roster percentage given his team and the opponent. He has been on fire out of the gate with seven goals and six assists through nine games. Jordan Binnington has been sturdy in net for the Blues. However, the Blues' defense has struggled with a 2.79 xGA/60 mark, which is the second-worst in the league.
Patrik Laine, CLS at COL (W - $5,500): Laine has been excellent this season with three goals on 22 shots -- a sustainable 13.6 percent -- and five assists through eight games. Colorado is a tough opponent, but Johansson's track record is still too small to prove anything. Regardless, Laine comes at a bargain considering his upside.
Ryan Johansen, NSH at EDM (C - $4,200): After posting an assist in Tuesday's game, Johansen now has seven points through nine games. The 29-year-old has endured a couple of down years, but he's seemingly back on track now. He comes at a bargain and is worth rolling the dice on against Mikko Koskinen, who has done a complete reversal after registering an .899 save percentage and a 3.17 GAA last year.
Warren Foegele, EDM vs. NSH (W - $3,700): Foegele is enjoying his time with his new team, recording two goals and two assists through eight games. He's now working on PP2, and he'll get a shot at the Predators, who rank 21st in the league with a 77.8 penalty-kill percentage.
Robert Thomas, STL at LA (C - $3,600): Thomas has yet to find the back of the net through seven games, but he has six assists and 3.64 xGF/60 at even strength, which sits at 15th in the league. With Ryan O'Reilly in COVID-19 protocol, he should stay on the second line with Vladimir Tarasenko, too, raising his ceiling against an inconsistent Kings team.
LINE STACKS
Connor McDavid (C - $10,000), Zach Hyman (W - $6,900), Jesse Puljujarvi (W - $5,500)
The best player in the world is on a tear with at least a point in each of the first eight games, totaling seven goals and 10 helpers in that stretch. Hyman and Puljujarvi haven't matched the production but they've combined for 17 points themselves. Predators goalie Juuse Saros has struggled on the road this year. Last season, his numbers took a drop in opponents' barns, too, as he posted a 2.80 GAA on the road versus a 1.91 mark at home.
Jordan Staal (C - $4,500), Jesper Fast (W - $3,800), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $8,700)
Staal and Fast have been playing together for most of the season with solid results, producing 3.17 xGF/60 so far. Svechnikov should only help their capitalization, as he has seven goals and four helpers through eight contests. The opportunity is quite appealing as well. The Blackhawks can't even help the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Fleury has recorded an .888 save percentage and a 3.92 GAA so far.
DEFENSE
Roman Josi, NSH at EDM ($7,000): One of the best defensemen in the league, Josi is off to a hot start with three goals and six assists through the first nine games. He continues to handle more than 25 minutes of ice time per game, and he draws an appealing matchup against the Oilers, who have registered a mediocre 2.35 xGA/60 so far.
Zach Werenski, CLS at COL ($5,000): Werenski has taken on a larger role with Seth Jones in Chicago, averaging an extra two minutes of ice time per game. As a result, he has posted 12.1 fantasy points per night by virtue of six points through eight games. Colorado is stout offensively, but Werenski provides a strong floor with his shot volume.
Justin Faulk, STL at LA ($4,400): Faulk is handling a significant role in his third year with the Blues, averaging 22:38 of ice time and quarterbacking PP2. He posted two points in each of the first two games this year but has gone pointless in five straight games, so he likely won't be rostered much by the market Wednesday. However, the opportunity is large. The Kings rank 26th in the league with a 73.1 penalty-kill percentage.
Evan Bouchard, EDM vs. NSH ($4,200): Bouchard can be a solid stack with Foegele, as they both play on PP2 against a struggling power play and an unspectacular road goalie. Two of Bouchard's four points this season have been with the man advantage. He comes at a superb discount despite averaging 21:23 of ice time and 2.5 shots per game this year.
