This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
The weather is getting more hockey-ish in much of the country (but not in LA where they played a sweltering World Series game Tuesday). Doesn't it feel like the perfect time for some daily fantasy hockey? There are only two games on the NHL slate Wednesday, but here are the players I'd recommend targeting.
GOALIE
Columbus Blue Jackets, CLM vs. BUF ($15,000): The Sabres will be playing on the road on the second night of a back-to-back in this game, which helps Columbus' chances of picking up a win. Also helping the Jackets is that Buffalo has averaged 2.6 goals per game after only scoring once Tuesday night. Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina last year and has a .927 save percentage this season.
CENTER
Paul Stastny, STL vs. CGY ($11,900): The Flames are also on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. Since Mike Smith played last night, that means Eddie Lack (whose .902 save percentage last season was actually an improvement upon his previous campaign) will likely be in goal. Stastny has long been a "good when healthy" player, and the currently healthy center has eight points in nine games.
Alexander Wennberg, CLM vs. BUF ($10,700): Wennberg has started 64.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is tied for the most among Blue Jackets forwards. He also proved himself a power-play threat last year when he tallied 23 points with the extra man. The Sabres had the 25th-ranked penalty kill last season, and being on the second night of a back-to-back is not going to help Buffalo defensively. With zero days of rest last year the Sabres allowed 3.32 goals per contest.
WING
Evander Kane, BUF at CLM ($13,500): Sure, it's not a great matchup for Kane, but with only four teams in action it is going to be hard to field a full roster of players in optimal situations. Plus, Kane feels fairly reliable, because there is one thing he does as well as anybody; puts shots on net. He's taken 54 shots on goal in 10 games, and he also has lit the lamp six times. When you shoot that much, good things can happen.
Vladimir Sobotka, STL vs. CGY ($7,300): Sobotka doesn't have a goal yet, but he does have six assists through nine games. He's also played 17:25 per game, which is a career high for him in the NHL. Before Tuesday's game, the Flames had allowed 35.4 shots on net per contest, and now they are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. With Lack likely in net for Calgary, things are looking up for Sobotka.
Josh Anderson, CLM vs. BUF ($6,900): OK, so Anderson is a bit of a roll of the dice, but if you put him in your lineup at this low price it will free up money for the Vladimir Tarasenkos of the world. Plus, there is some potential here. Anderson did score 17 goals last season, and he's averaged 8.00 fantasy points per game this year. When Buffalo was on zero days of rest last year, it allowed 3.32 goals and 35.1 shots on net per contest. On the road the Sabres gave up 3.00 goals and 34.9 shots on goal per tilt. Both of those things will be the case Wednesday.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. BUF ($9,900): Here's a Blue Jacket you will likely need less convincing on. Werenski was an offensive powerhouse last year (47 points, 21 on the power play) and he already has six points through eight games. He's also started 61.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most among Columbus' blue line regulars. At this point, you've probably heard plenty about Buffalo's defense and why this is a favorable matchup.
Joel Edmundson, STL vs. CGY ($6,000): Edmundson has averaged 11.11 fantasy points per game so far this year. To find a player who has averaged more, you'll have to spend $7,500. Most of Edmundson's value has come on the defensive end of the ice, as he's blocked 30 shots through nine games. However, given the fact the Flames are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and the likely presence of Lack in net, perhaps Edmundson will chip in something on offense too.
