This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday's eight-game NHL slate should feature plenty of scoring, with seven of the league's 10 worst defensive teams set to take the ice. The four divisional games figure to be especially fruitful, as the Blue Jackets, Hurricanes, Predators and Coyotes are projected to concede quite a few goals to their divisional foes based on past defensive performances. While opponents are a major factor when picking DFS lineups, it's important not to limit yourself, and to consider all of the variables available. For one reason or another, the players outlined below should provide excellent value at their prices.
GOALIE
Keith Kinkaid, NJ at STL ($24) - Those looking to spend big on skaters would be wise to invest in Kinkaid as their No. 2 goaltender. New Jersey's backup has been solid but unspectacular, allowing just 13 goals while going 3-2-0 with a .911 save percentage in six appearances since the start of November. If he can continue to play at that level against a Blues team that ranks 22nd in goals per game, Kinkaid will be a tremendous value at just $24.
Goalie to Avoid:
Cam Talbot, EDM at ARI ($35) - Talbot is terribly overpriced at $35, as nothing about his 7-13-2 record, 2.75 GAA and .908 save percentage indicates that he should cost more than seven of the other netminders in action Tuesday. The Coyotes compensate for atrocious defensive play with the league's seventh-ranked offense, so expect them to put a few pucks past Talbot in what should be a high-scoring game.
CENTER
John Tavares, NYI vs. CLS ($21) - Like the rest of the Islanders, Tavares has scuffled offensively lately, but a date with Columbus' last-place defense is exactly what he needs to get back on track. New York's captain is plus-3 with a goal in two meetings with the Blue Jackets this season, and his recent struggles have dropped his price to a very affordable $21. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to grab an offensive player of Tavares' pedigree in a great matchup for such a low price.
Center to Avoid:
Logan Couture, SJ at WPG ($20) - Owners keep waiting for Couture to finally break out, but the talented center continues to play at a pedestrian pace since returning from a nasty leg injury. Couture's season-long line of zero goals and four assists through nine games leaves much to be desired, and his 16 shots on goal show that he isn't generating chances at a particularly high rate. It's foolish to spend so much on Couture until he demonstrates a return to his pre-injury form of seasons past.
WING
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. NSH ($21) - The Russian rookie has continued to impress offensively, racking up five goals and three assists in his last seven games. Don't expect that production to dry up against struggling goaltender Pekka Rinne, who has been nothing short of atrocious, going 4-8-3 with a 3.00 GAA and .889 save percentage on the road this season.
Phil Kessel, PIT at CAR ($19) - Kessel has been a massive disappointment this season, but he does have points in three of the four games he's played since the calendar turned to 2016. It's not too farfetched to imagine the five-time 30-goal scorer keeping the good times rolling against a Carolina team that allows the 10th-most goals per game. Catching Kessel on the upswing is the best way to maximize value before his price jumps higher.
Wings to Avoid
Alexander Steen, STL vs. NJ ($19) - Steen has been all over the map in his last 11 games, posting just five points while accruing an ugly minus-7 rating and scoring 3.0 or less fantasy points six times. Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid has been decent for a backup this season, so a reversal out of his recent funk is far from a guarantee for the Swedish winger.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. PIT ($17) - The former figure skater has been playing like one in his last 12 games, scoring just one goal while taking more than two shots only three times. Skinner's poor performance has earned him a demotion to the third line, and you have every right to be skeptical of the winger's ability to get back on track offensively skating alongside Riley Nash and Chris Terry.
DEFENSE
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI vs. EDM ($23) - Ekman-Larsson has played well against the Oilers this season, scoring a goal while taking six shots through two meetings. The offensive-minded blueliner's tally against Edmonton on Nov. 12 vitalized his season, as he has scored 10 goals in 26 games since after finding the back of the net just once up to that point. Tuesday's encounter should be a high-scoring game considering projected Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot has a 2.75 GAA, and Ekman-Larsson plays a huge role in Arizona's offense.
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. SJ ($20) - Byfuglien's recent offensive struggles have dropped his price to $20, making now the perfect time to buy low on the former Blackhawk. Despite his four-game scoring drought, Big Buff still has 23 points through 42 games in 2015-16 after topping 45 points in each of his first four non-lockout-shortened seasons with the former Atlanta franchise. If his tremendous offensive resume isn't enough to convince you to go in on Byfuglien at this price, keep in mind that opposing goaltender Alex Stalock hasn't won since Nov. 22 and gave up four goals in each of his last two starts.
Defensemen to Avoid
Roman Josi, NSH at CHI ($25) - Despite scoring six of his nine goals on the road due to an unsustainably high 14.0 percent shooting percentage, Josi is still minus-11 in 21 games away from the confines of Bridgestone Arena. Josi's career scoring rate pales in comparison to those of most comparably priced defensemen, and it's only a matter of time before the glaring road hole in his resume becomes exposed as his luck begins to even out.
Francois Beauchemin, COL vs. TB ($21) - Beauchemin's recent contributions have been very limited -- he has just three assists and a minus-2 rating in his last 10 games. He draws the unenviable task of trying to contain a red-hot Steven Stamkos due to his first-pairing defenseman status, so the veteran could be in for a rough night to add to his list of recent unimpressive performances.
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