Here are the top sleeper picks for Wednesday's five-game slate:
D Shea Theodore, Ducks (vs. Maple Leafs)
Available at the minimum price in most daily fantasy games, Theodore has assumed a role alongside fellow defenseman Sami Vatanen on the Ducks' top power play unit in the wake of Cam Fowler's ankle injury.
The 20-year-old hasn't yet gotten on the score sheet, but has registered seven shots and four blocks in four games since his recall from the AHL. Theodore represents a low-risk, high-reward selection thanks to his presence on Anaheim's 10th-ranked power play.
G John Gibson, Ducks (vs. Maple Leafs)
In keeping with the Ducks, Gibson is still among the cheapest expected starters on Wednesday's small slate despite a recent salary bump. He's been in great form since being called up from the AHL in early December, and has won his last four starts.
On the season, he boasts four shutouts, a league-leading 1.63 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. With Anaheim embarking on the second game of a eight-game homestand Wednesday, Gibson is well-positioned to continue his strong play against Toronto's middle-of-the-pack offense.
W Jiri Tlusty, Devils (at Canadiens)
With only four points in 28 games this season, Tlusty has struggled to fit with the Devils. Despite this, he's been handed a bigger role in the wake of Mike Cammalleri's upper-body injury, moving up to the top line alongside Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri.
His average ice time over the last two games has increased to approximately 16 minutes, and he's fired five shots in that span. If Cammalleri misses another game as expected, Tlusty should continue his role among the top six against Montreal's shaky goaltending, and his near-minimum price makes him a relatively low-risk DFS option.
C Robby Fabbri, Blues (at Avalanche)
Fabbri may be classified as a center on some DFS sites, but he's currently playing on the wing on a line with Vladimir Tarasenko, making him a viable DFS option for some low-priced exposure to the explosive Russian, who has 23 goals and 41 points in 40 games.
The rookie hasn't hit the score sheet in his last three games, but did have a stretch of four games out of five with a goal in late December, so the offensive upside is certainly there for the 2014 first-round pick.
Expected Colorado starter Semyon Varlamov has allowed four or more goals in three of his last five starts, so an offensive outburst is certainly possible for Fabbri, Tarasenko and the rest of the Blues on Wednesday.
