This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We're down to three games in the NHL on Monday. The Avalanche are huge, home-ice favorites over the Kraken, whereas the Bruins-Capitals and Rangers-Kings bouts are both projected to be close. Here's a look at recommendations and fades at each position ahead of Monday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Alexandar Georgiev, NYR at LA ($31): There have been some peaks and valleys in Georgiev's play over the past month-plus, but his .929 save percentage and 2.06 GAA through 10 appearances since Dec. 1 are high-end marks. There's nothing scary about a date with the Kings, either. Los Angeles ranks 12th last in goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and 25th in power-play percentage.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Linus Ullmark, BOS at WAS ($31): There's nothing shaky about Ullmark's performance this season. He's posted a respectable .918 save percentage and 2.54 GAA for the campaign, including .927 and 2.34 marks through his past six starts. Still, Washington ranks sixth in goals per game, and considering the talent, the Caps are likely eyeing positive regression with the man advantage. The Capitals 14.8 power-play percentage ranks 28th in the league.
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. SEA ($35): While MacKinnon is likely to be a popular target Monday, you might be fading him at your own detriment, if you're looking to differentiate. He's found the scoresheet in 13 straight games since returning from – for four tallies, 20 helpers and 71 shots since returning from a lower-body injury. Additionally, his 5.6 shooting percentage during the stretch is all but certain to be eyeing positive regression.
CENTER TO AVOID
Anze Kopitar, LA vs. NYR ($21): Not only is Alexandar Georgiev ($31) in solid form, New York has allowed the 10th fewest goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and sport the fourth best penalty-kill percentage. Kopitar, on the other hand, hasn't recorded a multi-point showing in 14 outings and has recorded an underwhelming one goal, five assist and 32 shots during the stretch.
WING
Mikko Rantanen, COL vs. SEA ($34): A stack candidate with linemate Nathan MacKinnon ($35), Rantanen has been equally as hot with 22 points – six goals – through 13 games since MacKinnon returned to the lineup. The duo have also clicked for an elite 6.08 goals per 60 minutes this season.
Tom Wilson, WAS vs. BOS ($12): Before the holiday break, Wilson carried a $19 ticket, so it's been a steep salary fall into value territory. He's projected to skate on the No. 1 line with Evgeny Kuznetsov ($24) and Alex Ovechkin ($34), and the trio has clicked for 4.09 goals per 60 minutes this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brad Marchand, BOS at WAS ($30): The Capitals have been an impressive defensive club this season with the seventh best penalty-kill percentage in the league and the sixth fewest goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five. As a result, spending up for Marchand might not be the best play. He's also scored three goals with a 27.3 shooting percentage through the past two games, so puck luck might not be on his side either.
J.T. Compher, COL vs. SEA ($18): Considering Compher has recorded just three points – two goals – and 10 shots through seven games since returning from an upper-body injury, his salary is probably a little high to be able to roster multiple stars and still slide under the cap.
DEFENSE
Mike Reilly, BOS at WAS ($13): Those looking to load up expensive forwards will need to find value on the blue line, and Reilly is a potential target. If Charlie McAvoy ($20) misses another game with a lower-body injury, Reilly is in line for an opportunity boost. The second-year Bruin has found the scoresheet in consecutive games and sports a respectable 1.33 points per 60 minutes over the past two years, too.
Bowen Byram, COL vs. SEA ($13): The best is still ahead for Byram, but he's an affordable addition to a Colorado stack Monday. The 20-year-old defenseman's salary also doesn't align with his respectable production this year, either. Byram has recorded 11 points, 34 shots and 15 blocks with a plus-4 rating through 17 games.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
John Carlson, WAS vs. BOS ($23): While fading Carlson is always a risk, he's been limited in consecutive games to just four shots and a minus-3 rating, and the Bruins are a tough matchup. Boston has allowed the sixth fewest goals per game in the league, after all.
Erik Johnson, COL vs. SEA ($18): It's probably best to view Johnson as a high-risk, high-reward target Monday. He's a steady source of shots and blocks, and his plus-17 rating is an excellent bonus. However, he's also missed the scoresheet in 20 of 31 games this season.
