DFS: Counterattack - Monday's Top Contrarian Plays

Following what was essentially an off day in the NHL and the daily fantasy hockey worlds, with just the one game between the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens, the holiday Monday will feature three afternoon games and five in total.

Here's a look at the top contrarian options for use in GPPs:

G Tuukka Rask, Bruins (vs. Lightning)

Rask has had a horrible start to the 2015-16 season, with two losses, a save percentage of .882 and a goals against average of 4.03. Rask has never opened a season with three consecutive losses as a the Bruins' regular starter, and he only once lost three consecutive games in regulation last season.

It's a very tough matchup against a Lightning team that has scored a total of seven goals in two wins to open the season, but Rask won both games against the Lightning in Boston last year, stopping 56 of 61 shots. The Lightning have opened this season by recording 31 and 32 shots on goal in two games.

With only five games on the schedule it's a reduced pool of goaltenders to begin with, and Lighting G Ben Bishop will be the consensus public choice. Rask's biggest detractor is the thin defensive corps in front of him, but he has proven time and time again in the past that he's fully capable of stealing a big game.

D Rasmus Ristolainen, Sabres (vs. Blue Jackets)

Through two games, Ristolainen ranks eighth amongst all players in average time-on-ice. That much opportunity will provide Ristolainen with an excellent chance to hit the score sheet against a Blue Jackets team with nine goals against in their first two games.

Ristolainen has zero points through the first two games, but he does have five shots on net. The Blue Jackets have allowed one power play goal against, while being shorthanded on four occasions. Ristolainen is the lone defenseman on the Sabres' top power play unit, which features Evander Kane, Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel and Marcus Foligno.

Victor Hedman, Torey Krug, Dustin Byfuglien, Aaron Ekblad and Hampus Lindholm will likely be far more common plays, while Ristolainen offers far more cap relief than his counterparts.

W Brett Connolly, Bruins (vs. Lightning)

With W Brad Marchand expected to miss a game or two after sustaining a concussion Saturday night, Connolly should be given the first opportunity to replace him on the Bruins' top line. Additionally, Connolly is slated to play one of two point spots on the second power play unit.

As a sixth overall pick in 2010 by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Connolly has not lived up to his billing as a top prospect, with just 34 points in 141 regular season games played at the NHL level.

Connolly should be able to feed off any production from linemates Loui Eriksson and Patrice Bergeron, and he's near the minimum cost.

C Claude Giroux, Flyers (vs. Panthers)

Giroux has been at the forefront of the Flyers' early season struggles. Despite picking up an assist Saturday, he played just 16:55, and spent considerable time on the bench once the game was out of hand.

Typically a slow starter, there's no guarantee Giroux can turn things around immediately, but the Flyers will have plenty of motivation for an immediate rematch against the Florida Panthers in Philadelphia, just two days after being embarrassed on the road.

Giroux is among the highest priced forwards on the slate, but owners will need to focus on his skills and potential, rather than his recent performance.