DFS: Counterattack - Wednesday's Top Contrarian Picks

Here are the top contrarian plays for Wednesday's NHL GPPs:

G Cam Ward or Eddie Lack, Hurricanes (at Avalanche)

Ward played back to back games as the 'Canes kicked off its road trip and neither showing was all that impressive. Granted, one was against the Capitals who score pretty freely.

Lack wasn't much better in his only start of the season so far, allowing three goals on 29 shots. Neither of Carolina's goalies are excellent options, and going on the road long term can wear a netminder out.

Lack is the better option, but neither will be heavily featured in DFS lineups. Facing Colorado, it could be Carolina's best chance at a win on this trip.

D Rasmus Ristolainen, Sabres (vs. Maple Leafs)

With Cody Franson facing a night off, the Sabres will look to Ristolainen to be even more of a trooper. He's among the league leaders in ice time, and he's been a steady presence on the blueline in both ends - three points and seven blocked shots over five games.

He's 20 and has a ton of gas in the tank. The Maple Leafs are a favorable matchup, and shouldn't result in him being a minus player on the night. He's a bit cheaper than the top options at the position, too, so this should be a no-brainer.

W Loui Eriksson, Bruins (vs. Flyers)

Forever doomed to be the guy the Bruins got in exchange for Tyler Seguin, Eriksson's modest successes often go unnoticed. This is exacerbated by his concussion troubles he had his first season in Boston.

While things haven't gone exactly according to plan, Eriksson was good for 70-plus points in three consecutive seasons with the Stars. While it's not likely he'll replicate this, he could come close. He's skating on the powerplay - all three of his points have come with the man advantage - and he has more ice time than any Boston forward not named David Krejci.

He's under the radar and worth a flier against the Flyers.

C Brad Richards, Red Wings (at Oilers)

Long gone are the days of Richards being among the most productive players on the ice. He has only two points through five games, but they both came within the last three.

The Oilers haven't had much to cheer for in net and sill have one of the more deficient defenses in the league. Richards doesn't carry the prestige that once made him a top line center, but he's got a decent supporting cast - Darren Helm and Teemu Pulkkinen - he can still set up the snipers and is getting time on the powerplay with Detroit.

He's a good, cheap option at center tonight.