This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
The NBA season has just begun, and the baseball playoffs are in full swing, but don't forget about the NHL. There are three games on the docket Wednesday, and here are some of the most intriguing options for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Los Angeles Kings, LOS vs. MON ($16,900): The Canadiens will be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back in this one. They are already off to a slow start offensively, and since Carey Price started Tuesday, the Kings' chances of winning go up. Jonathan Quick is off to a great start, posting a 1.74 GAA and a .943 save percentage.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. DET ($10,700): It's easy to forget about Kadri with all the hot young talent around him, but he set a career high in goals (32) and points (61) last season, perhaps thanks to that aforementioned young talent. He's also posted at least 236 shots on goal in his last two campaigns. He already has six points in six games (two on the power play), and Detroit is not a foreboding opponent.
Dylan Larkin, DET at TOR ($10,700): The Red Wings have given Larkin an increased role thus far, as he's averaged 19:24 per game in ice time. After some offensive struggles last season, Larkin has tallied six points in six games. Toronto is great offensively, but their defense has left something to be desired. The Maple Leafs are also on the second night of a back-to-back, and they are giving Curtis McElhinney his first start of the season – the same McElhinney with a career 2.95 GAA and .905 save percentage.
WING
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. CHI ($15,700): Tarasenko is the most expensive winger Wednesday, so you aren't saving money here. However, there aren't a lot of great options on the wing, so it's worth it to pony up for Tarasenko's excellence. This is a guy who has notched at least 37 goals in his last three seasons, and he has four through six games this year. The Blackhawks allowed 31.4 shots on net per game last season, and this year that number is up to 36.5.
Tanner Pearson, LOS vs. MON ($10,300): Pearson is off to a somewhat slow start, but he notched 24 goals last season so we know he has potential. Additionally, he's currently averaging career highs in ice time and power-play time. The Canadiens, as previously mentioned, will be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. That means they are starting Al Montoya, who had a .912 save percentage last year.
Martin Frk, DET at TOR ($8,400): The vowel-challenged rookie is getting favorable positioning from Detroit thus far, as he's started 68.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. He doesn't play a ton of minutes overall, but he's averaged 2:28 per game on the power play, and he already has two points with the extra man. The Maple Leafs allowed 32.6 shots on net per tilt last season, and when they were on zero days of rest that number rose to 33.9.
DEFENSE
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. DET ($9,100): Rielly has been racking up the assists this season, as he has five in six games. He also has 20 shots on net, after he tallied 171 in 76 games last year. Perhaps most interestingly, he's getting real power-play time after only averaging 0:50 per game last year. The Red Wings allowed 2.98 goals per game last season, so there isn't much reason for fear here.
Brent Seabrook, CHI at STL ($9,100): Seabrook notched 36 assists last season, and on the defensive end of the ice he had 147 blocked shots. Over his last three campaigns he's had at least 14 power-play points, and this year he's averaged 3:04 with the extra man. It's early, but the Blues have allowed 35.5 shots on net per game so far this year, and they allowed more shots per contest last season after Ken Hitchcock got the boot.
