This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
We'll be treated to six games Wednesday night, starting with a matchup between the Red Wings and the Flyers at 7 p.m. ET and rounding out with the Islanders and the Canucks at 10:30 p.m. ET. Of the 12 teams gearing up, 10 of the teams are in the top-17 in terms of xGA/60 at even strength in 2022, meaning we could see a low-scoring slate. The Flames, Golden Knights and the Stars are the only teams in the top half of xGF/60 at even strength in 2022.
All advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Alex Nedeljkovic, DET at PHI ($7,300): With a .917 save percentage on the road in 2022, Nedeljkovic is set up well for the Wednesday matchup against Philadelphia. The Flyers and the Red Wings are essentially equal in terms of offensive firepower at this point. Joel Farabee (upper body), Sean Couturier (upper body) and Kevin Hayes (lower body) are all expected to sit out Wednesday, too.
Robin Lehner, VGK at CGY ($7,200): It seems like a fool's errand to start a goalie against one of the league's hottest offenses, but Lehner's salary is a bargain for his talent level. He has registered a .920 save percentage and a 9-5-0 record at even strength on the road this season, including a .957 mark over three January games against the Lightning, Capitals and Panthers.
Ivan Prosvetov, ARI at SEA ($6,700): The Coyotes are awful, but so are the Kraken. Because the Coyotes played Tuesday, Prosvetov should be in the blue paint Wednesday. The 22-year-old doesn't have a robust professional profile, but he has shown an ability to hold his own at the NHL level. He'll likely be the cheapest starter in this slate. It's worth taking a risk against the Kraken, who rank 26th with 2.16 xGF/60 at even strength.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Dylan Larkin, DET at PHI (C - $8,000): Larkin is tied with Connor McDavid for 10th in the league with 23 goals through 41 games, totaling 44 points – seven with the man advantage – while firing more than three shots on net per game in that span. Carter Hart – who has generated a mediocre 2.83 GAA this year – will be in net for the Flyers.
Mathew Barzal, NYI at VAN (C - $6,000): Barzal went missing at times to start the season, but he's back on track now, recording 11 points while averaging 2.5 shots per game over the last 13 outings. Eight of his 28 points have been with the man advantage, too, and he'll take on the league's worst PK (69.9 percent) on Wednesday.
Oliver Wahlstrom, NYI at VAN (W - $4,900): Wahlstrom accrued 13 points and 50 shots on net through the last 18 games despite averaging just 13:30 of ice time per game. However, he'll move to the second line because Kyle Palmieri (COVID-19 protocol) is expected to sit out. The Canucks will be missing multiple defensemen and are expected to start No. 2 goalie Jaroslav Halak on Wednesday.
Nick Schmaltz, ARI at SEA (C - $4,600): Schmaltz is heating up with nine points in as many games, and he's cemented on the top line and the power play. Neither of these teams are intriguing, but Philipp Grubauer presents a clear opportunity for Schmaltz. Through 34 games this year, Schmaltz has accrued an .887 save percentage.
Kirby Dach, CHI at EDM (C - $4,400): Dach will skate on the second line because Jonathan Toews (concussion) is out. The 21-year-old has yet to live up to the promise that he showed as an 18-year-old rookie, but skating next to Alex DeBrincat provides a ceiling that he, otherwise, wouldn't have enjoyed. Stuart Skinner – who has a career 3.02 GAA – is the expected starter for the Oilers.
LINE STACKS
Stars vs. Predators
Roope Hintz (C - $7,600), Jason Robertson (W - $8,000), Joe Pavelski (W - $8,100)
Robertson is questionable due to an eye injury, and 22-year-old Jacob Peterson ($4,100), who is listed as a center, will likely fill in on the first line if he's ultimately ruled out. Hintz and Pavelski are good enough to carry the load if Robertson sits out, as they've combined for 39 goals and 46 assists through 42 games this season.
Blackhawks at Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (W - $7,000), Zach Hyman (W - $6,300), Jesse Puljujarvi (W - $5,100)
This trio comes at a reasonable salary and is a contrarian option because it doesn't include Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Don't be deterred, though. Nugent-Hopkins and Puljujarvi are both handling consistent power-play time, and the former has produced 33 points – 15 with the power play – through 35 games this season. Marc-Andre Fleury is a serious impediment, but the Blackhawks' defense is littered with flaws.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CHI at EDM ($6,500): Jones brings a solid floor nightly because of his shot and blocked shot volume while playing around 27 minutes per night. His offensive ceiling has taken a hit recently, but the talent and opportunity are still apparent. With an intriguing matchup against Skinner on tap, Jones has a great opportunity to live up to his salary Wednesday.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. NSH ($4,800): Klingberg is enjoying another excellent season, and he's been lethal on the power play, posting 12 of his 23 points on the man advantage. The Stars stack should include a defenseman like Klingberg, who comes at a reasonable salary and is guaranteed an opportunity to capitalize.
Vince Dunn, SEA vs. ARI ($4,700): Dunn has a chance to top his career high of 35 points, as he has registered 18 points – five with the man advantage – through 41 games while skating more than 20 minutes per night. His work on the power play is highly valuable against Arizona's 31st-ranked PK (73.0 percent).
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. CHI ($4,600): The Blackhawks rank 27th in the league with a 74.6 penalty-kill percentage, making Barrie – who will be on PP1 with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – a top fantasy option Wednesday. Barrie hasn't posted a point in eight straight games, but five of his last eight points have been with the man advantage.