This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are six games in the NHL on Monday with the Stars and Capitals both huge favorites on home ice. The Devils and Avalanche are also receiving notable chalk, and the Flyers and Kings are both playing for the second consecutive night. Here's a peek at recommendations and fades for each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. LA ($23): This is a potential letdown spot for the Kings after defeating Edmonton 5-1 Sunday. After all, even following Sunday's win, Los Angeles sports a 2-4-3 record with just 16 five-on-five goals since mid-November. Demko has also been solid of late with a .927 save percentage and 2.33 GAA through his past seven outings. This salary is obviously a huge help to stay under the salary cap, too.
GOALIE TO AVOID
John Gibson, ANA at WAS ($31): This probably isn't the best spot to target Gibson. He's allowed three goals or more in each of his past five starts to the tune of a 1-3-1 record, .889 save percentage and 3.71 GAA. Additionally, Washington ranks fifth in goals per game and has been excellent on home ice with an 8-1-4 record.
CENTER
Josh Norris, OTT at NJ ($18): The top-line center has found the scoresheet in four consecutive games and clicked with linemates Brady Tkachuk ($19) and Drake Batherson ($19) for a rock-solid 5.11 goals and 15.33 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season. The Devils are also in a 2-6-2 skid with 41 goals allowed.
CENTER TO AVOID
Sean Couturier, PHI vs. COL ($20): It's likely Couturier spends the bulk of his night matched up against Nathan MacKinnon ($35), Gabriel Landeskog ($30) and Mikko Rantanen ($33) on Monday. Colorado's No. 1 line has dominated possession with a 61.1 Corsi For percentage at even strength over the past three seasons, and Couturier is also in poor form with just two assists through his past 12 games, including a minus-7 rating through his latest three outings.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. ANH ($34): No. 8 continues to frequent the scoresheet and offers the high-floor, high-ceiling profile worth spending up for. He's already at 20 goals, 39 points and 104 shots through 25 games, and this should also prove to be a plus-matchup. As noted, Anaheim starter John Gibson ($31) has struggled of late, and the Ducks are also without No. 1 center and captain Ryan Getzlaf ($16) because of a lower-body injury.
Drake Batherson, OTT at NJ ($19): A stack candidate alongside linemates Josh Norris ($18) and/or Brady Tkachuk ($19), Batherson has collected an assist in consecutive games. He's also been on the ice for 11 high-danger scoring chances through three games since returning from COVID-19 protocols, so the opportunities have been there for more offense.
WINGS TO AVOID
Troy Terry, ANH at WAS ($21): Already beginning to cool off with just six points -- four goals -- through his past 10 outings, Terry lands in a tough matchup Monday. The Capitals are 8-1-4 on home ice with just 29 goals against. It's worth adding Terry's 27.8 shooting percentage is unsustainably high.
DEFENSE
Devon Toews, COL at PHI ($21): If Cale Makar ($27) is unable to suit up because of an upper-body injury, Toews' value skyrockets. However, Toews has been exceptional regardless. The second-year Av has four tallies, nine helpers, 25 shots and 12 blocks while averaging a hefty 24:54 of ice time (2:08 with the man advantage). Quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play is the huge bonus if Makar is out, of course.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. LA ($19): With Los Angeles playing its second road game in consecutive nights and sporting a 26th-ranked 75.4 penalty-kill percentage, this spot sets up nicely for Hughes. The power-play quarterback ranks sixth in points per 60 minutes among blueliners over the past three years, too.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Dmitry Orlov, WAS vs. ANH ($18): This salary is a little high to make Orlov a lineup priority. His current 10.8 shooting percentage and 1.66 points per 60 minutes are career-high marks, so it's likely there's some negative regression offensively ahead. He's also relied on defensively a lot with 39.6 of his zone starts beginning in his own end of the ice.
Sean Durzi, LA at VAN ($18): The rookie is off to a hot start with a goal and four assists through his first five NHL games. However, the return of Drew Doughty ($16) will likely cut into Durzi's upside -- especially with the man advantage. Durzi is also only averaging 16:33 of ice time per game.
