This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's an interesting four-game slate in the NHL on Wednesday. The Canadiens, Islanders and Predators are all on the front end of back-to-back games, whereas Boston and Anaheim are playing their second game in as many nights. Here are some value plays and low-priced fliers to consider while filling out your FanDuel lineup.
GOALIE
Al Montoya, MON at NYI ($8,600): Priced below the top-tier goalies and likely to carry a low enough ownership percentage to qualify as a contrarian option, Montoya has been spectacular to start the season with a .962 save percentage. And while they're just six games into the 2016-17 season, the Habs have allowed only nine goals, tops in the league. The veteran backup has been a big part of that.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. BOS ($6,000): After surrendering five goals to the Wild on Tuesday, Boston travels to New York to face an admirable offense. Zibanejad was held off the scoresheet Sunday and played a season-low 16:03, but this sets up as a dreamy matchup for a bounce-back showing. In general, he's kick-started his first season in New York nicely with two goals, four helpers and 19 shots through six games.
Tomas Plekanec, MON at NYI ($5,500): The veteran pivot has 15 shots on net over his past five games, but no goals to show for it. Plekanec is centering Alexander Radulov and Artturi Lehkonen, and that trio's combined to post 11.19 scoring chances per 60 minutes to start the season. And while Plekanec has three helpers through six games to start the season, he also has seven 20-goal seasons on his resume. Look for him to cash in on his high shot volume Wednesday.
WING
James Neal, NAS at ANA ($6,500): The puck luck has been unkind to Neal thus far. He's failed to score despite registering 23 shots on net and 21 scoring chances through five games. PDO isn't always a determinant of immediate success, but Neal's .958 mark is set for positive regression. The Ducks are also playing their second game of a back-to-back set and could be without key cog Ryan Getzlaf because of an upper-body injury.
Alexander Radulov, MON at NYI ($5,400): Following his volcanic offensive outburst Monday, look for Radulov to continue being an impact scorer with the floodgates now open. As noted, he's clicked with Tomas Plekanec and Artturi Lehkonen, and that line is showing well at five-on-five. However, Radulov's recent addition to the No. 1 power-play unit was a success on Monday, too. His salary could skyrocket over the coming weeks, so enjoy the discount while it's available.
Andre Burakovsky, WAS at EDM ($4,500): Although they're off to a solid 3-1-1 start, the Caps have scored just 2.6 goals per game. Head coach Barry Trotz has juggled the lines, and Burakovsky has landed alongside countrymen Evgeny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. At his salary, Burakovsky should be highly owned, but this might also be a case where you're fading him at your own risk.
Nick Ritchie, ANA vs. NAS ($3,400): Ryan Getzlaf's status will likely be up in the air after he left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury, but Ritchie will continue to see top offensive minutes in all situations. The 20-year-old winger is averaging 3.0 shots per game through his past four outings while seeing 14:57 per night. He's best viewed as a flier on Wednesday and could potentially be scarcely owned.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. BOS ($5,100): Now the clear No. 1 offensive defenseman for the Rangers, McDonagh is averaging 25:16 per night, with 3:07 of that on the man advantage. He has five assists, 11 shots on goal and 12 blocked shots through the first six games of the year, and the 27-year-old captain lands in a high-end matchup Wednesday. Boston was shelled for five goals Tuesday, and the Bruins could be starting their fourth-string goaltender.
Matt Niskanen, WAS at EDM ($4,300): The well-rounded defenseman logs hefty minutes (22:12 per game this year) and receives power-play time with the No. 2 unit while tipping the scales across all categories. Since joining the Capitals, he has 66 points, 276 shots and 261 blocked shots through 169 games over the past three years. That makes him a high-floor option with a reasonable price.
