This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The main contests at Yahoo consist of the five late games, which excludes Calgary-Ottawa. Boston and Washington enter as significant favorites while the Blues, Bruins, Canadiens, Devils, Rangers, Penguins and Canucks are all playing for the second consecutive night. The player pool is loaded with star power, so plucking a few values will be important to have exposure to the top options while staying under the salary cap. Here's a peek at recommendations and fades at each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANH vs. VAN ($33): It's been a nice run for Gibson. He hasn't lost in regulation through his past six starts while posting an impressive .932 save percentage and 2.12 GAA. The Canucks are also playing their third road game in four nights and have lost their last three. Vancouver's 2.55 goals per 60 minutes rank 27th in the NHL.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. EDM ($33): The Blues lost in Carolina on Saturday with Edmonton already in town on an off night. And the Oilers have scored the most goals per 60 minutes in the league and boast the top power play.
CENTER
Trevor Zegras, ANH vs. VAN ($13): As noted, the Canucks are in a vulnerable schedule spot and have also surrendered seven goals in consecutive games. Zegras is in the midst of a slump missing the scoresheet in his past four while also missing two during the stretch. Still, he's skating with the No. 1 power-play unit and opens up cap relief to spend up elsewhere.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jeff Carter, PIT at WAS ($21): The veteran has only found the scoresheet twice through six games since returning from COVID-19 protocols, and the Penguins are playing the second of consecutive road games and third in four nights. There's a plus-minus risk here with Washington sporting a plus-12 goal differential at even strength, and Carter's high shot volume probably won't make a big enough fantasy dent to keep pace with the top center options in the player pool. Sidney Crosby's ($31) expected return could also position Carter with weaker wingers.
WING
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. MON ($34): It appears to be coming together for Pastrnak after a slow start having collected three consecutive multi-point showings for a goal and five assists. However, he's still sporting an unsustainably low 7.3 shooting percentage, well below his 15.4 mark over the past three seasons. Montreal's allowed 3.31 goals per game and ranks 29th in penalty-kill percentage to sweeten the deal.
Adam Henrique, ANH vs. VAN ($18): Youngster Troy Terry ($21) is garnering a lot of the attention in Anaheim, but Henrique has also been impressive - and a little less expensive. He's racked up four goals, four assists, 31 shots, 49 attempts and 21 individual high-danger scoring chances through the past eight outings and stacks nicely with Terry in the noted soft matchup. The duo have also clicked for 5.68 goals per 60 minutes this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
David Perron, STL vs. EDM ($24): The veteran winger hasn't reached double-digit fantasy points in any of the past eight games and has only collected three assists and 16 shots during this skid. There's also potential for Perron to play a lot of tough minutes against the high-scoring Oilers' top players to add a significant plus-minus risk.
Bryan Rust, PIT at WAS ($23): With just 2.42 goals per 60 minutes over the past three years when not playing with Evgeni Malkin ($10) or Sidney Crosby ($31), it's hard to justify spending up for Rust. Even if Crosby returns and Rust lands on his flank, there are preferable options in this salary range.
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. MON ($18): There's been some hit-and-miss with McAvoy this season, but the power-play quarterback lands in the noted favorable matchup against Montreal and his salary doesn't match his upside. After all, he's produced a goal, seven assists, 14 shots and 12 blocks while logging 24:12 with 3:20 of power-play time through the last six appearances.
Jamie Drysdale, ANH vs. VAN ($12): Another value option from the Ducks, Drysdale has managed four assists, five shots, three blocks and a plus-6 rating through his past four contests. At this salary, the gifted blueliner is pretty much a lineup lock.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, NJ at NYR ($28): The first-year Devil has showcased a high-risk, high-reward profile through his first 10 games with the franchise. With that in mind, allocating your cap space to a more consistent contributor is likely a safer approach. Just note, there's definitely also contrarian appeal here with the Rangers allowing the second most expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and ranking 21st in penalty-killing percentage.
Quinn Hughes, VAN at ANH ($18): Fading Hughes can always backfire because of his offensive upside. The power-play quarterback has 13 points - including six with the man-advantage - through 14 games. But while Hughes boasts a plus-5 rating, his minus-34 mark over the past two years shouldn't go unnoticed. With Vancouver a road underdog in a vulnerable schedule spot and allowing 14 goals through the past two, this may be a good spot to look elsewhere on the blueline.
