This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Wednesday tends to be a lighter day on the NHL schedule, and this week is no different. There are three games on the slate, and here are some players I recommend for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Los Angeles Kings, LOS vs. EDM ($15,700):Jonathan Quick has struggled recently, but he still has a 2.51 GAA and a .919 save percentage. However, recently Darcy Kuemper has been playing more often, and he has a 1.76 GAA and a .943 save percentage. The Kings have a plus-22 goal differential, and the Oilers are at minus-19 in that same category, so Los Angeles has a good chance of picking up the home win.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. EDM ($13,600): Kopitar has been on a tear in 2018. Through 13 games, he's tallied three goals and 12 assists. That includes seven points on the power play. Kopitar's acumen with the extra man bodes well in this matchup, as the Oilers have the worst penalty kill in the NHL.
David Krejci, BOS at NYR ($10,400): With a goal Tuesday, Krejci now has a point in three straight games. Overall, he has 27 points in 33 contests. The Rangers have allowed 33.8 shots on net per contest, and Henrik Lundqvist has been struggling mightily recently. In his last 10 outings, he's posted a 3.45 team GAA and a .900 save percentage.
WING
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at TOR ($13,400): Since returning from a two-game absence, Arvidsson has four goals and three assists in seven contests. He's also put 148 shots on net in 49 games, which leads the Predators. The Maple Leafs have allowed 33.6 shots on goal per tilt, so the Swedish winger should be able to put a few pucks on net.
Dustin Brown, LOS vs. EDM ($9,600): Brown has 37 points in 52 games, which is already the most points he's had since the 2011-12 season. However, there are reasons to believe it's not a fluke. He's averaging 19:30 per game in ice time, and 2:41 with the extra man. Both are his highest marks since the 2012-13 season. Edmonton has a weak 3.18 team GAA, and also a .897 team save percentage.
David Backes, BOS at NYR ($9,300): Backes is another veteran wing enjoying a comeback campaign. He's averaged 12.76 fantasy points per game, and over his last 20 contests he's registered 60 shots on goal. The Rangers had a 3.67 team GAA in January, and through three games in February that hasn't improved.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS at NYR ($11,600): After a bit of a scoring lull, Krug has nine points in his last nine games. Overall, he has 31 points in 47 contests, and he's never had fewer than 39 points in a season. He's also always been a power-play threat, and he's averaging 3:24 per game with the extra man. The Rangers' recent struggles have been mentioned a few times already, but on top of everything else they ranked 26th in penalty kill in January.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. EDM ($11,000): Muzzin has nine points in eight games since returning from an injury, and he had three points in four contests before his absence. He's also tallied 10 power-play points through 49 games, and as mentioned the Oilers have the worst penalty kill in the NHL and a 3.18 team GAA.
