This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven NHL games Tuesday, including the expected return of the Montreal Canadiens to action. Fingers crossed that actually happens, and if it does there is potential there for the Habs. Montreal is slated to host Edmonton, the only team on the second leg of a back-to-back Tuesday. Here are my recommendations for who to target, and who to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Jaroslav Halak, BOS vs. NJD ($34): The last time these two teams played, which was Sunday, Halak made 28 saves on 29 shots but took a loss because the Bruins were shut out. Boston was also on the second night of a back-to-back while New Jersey was rested. That won't be the case Tuesday, and the Devils are still a team that has scored only 2.39 goals per contest. I expect some offensive support for Halak this time.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. WAS ($29): Shesterkin has looked good in two games since returning from injury, though it's a little concerning that he had to face 81 shots on net. The Russian has justified the Rangers moving on from Henrik Lundqvist, but I'm still concerned in this matchup. Washington has scored 3.44 goals per game – top five in the NHL – and the Caps are healthy and have their key guys available right now.
CENTER
Alexander Wennberg, FLA vs. DET ($12): With Aleksander Barkov injured, Wennberg has moved up to being Florida's first-line center. Barkov seems unlikely to be ready to return, which will mean Wennberg still has Jonathan Huberdeau on his wing. That could pay off against the Red Wings, as they have a 3.19 GAA as a squad.
CENTER TO AVOID
Dylan Larkin, DET at FLA ($17): Larkin is doing his best to carry Detroit's offense, but it has been hard, and that's been clear on the power play. While the Red Wings' captain has averaged 2:53 per game with the extra man, he's only tallied three power-play points. Chris Driedger has been excellent in net for the Panthers, but even if they go with Sergei Bobrovsky in what seems to be an easy matchup, Bob has a 2.68 GAA and .913 save percentage over his last 13 games.
WING
Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. CLM ($24): Palat is having an incredible year with 31 points in 34 games, and it's pretty easy to figure out why. He's started 61.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Lightning, and he's averaged a career-high 3:20 power-play minutes per contest. Right now Joonas Korpisalo is banged up, and since Elvis Merzlikins returned from an injury of his own he has a 2.93 GAA and .906 save percentage in five starts.
Denis Gurianov, DAL at NAS ($14): Gurianov scored 20 goals as a rookie last season and impressed in the playoffs, so this year has been a bit of a disappointment. However, his 7.5 percent shooting feels a little unlucky, and he is still getting opportunities. The 23-year-old has played 2:58 per game on the power play and notched six points with the extra man. Nashville has the 29th-ranked penalty kill, so Gurianov may be able to take advantage of that.
WINGS TO AVOID
Dominik Kubalik, CHI vs. CAR ($17): Kubalik surprised as a rookie by scoring 30 goals, and he's still been good this year. However, there has been a bit of a dip in his numbers, particularly his shooting percentage, which has dropped from 19.1 to 11.1. As for the Hurricanes, they've only allowed 28.8 shots on net per game and Alex Nedeljkovic has been so good (2.05 GAA, .929 save percentage) I've learned how to spell his last name without looking it up.
Cam Atkinson, CLM at TAM ($17): Two seasons ago Atkinson tied a Columbus franchise record by scoring 41 goals. Last year, that number dropped all the way to 12 in 44 games. He has 12 in 36 games this season, which is a mild improvement but far from what we saw from Atkinson at his peak. Even if he was in the midst of another 41-goal campaign, I still wouldn't want to roster him against Andrei Vasilevskiy and his .930 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at CHI ($26): Hamilton has a 14-game point streak, and that's not even the main reason I'm recommending him. I was focused on the fact he's tallied 105 shots on goal in 33 games, which leads the Hurricanes. The Blackhawks have given up 34.1 shots on net per contest, highest in the NHL, so I won't be surprised if Hamilton extends that point streak.
Markus Nutivaara, FLA vs. DET ($10): Since Hamilton has one of the highest salaries among defensemen, I wanted to counterbalance that with a guy you could get on the cheap. Unfortunately, my recommendation of Nutivaara is based largely on the fact Aaron Ekblad was stretchered off the ice in Florida's last game. Nutivaara could be in line to grab some of his minutes, especially on the power play. In fact, the 26-year-old has already averaged 1:40 per game with the extra man since returning to the lineup three games ago.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Darnell Nurse, EDM at MON ($24): The Oilers are on the second night of a back-to-back while the Canadiens are, needless to say, well rested. Prior to this hiatus, Carey Price had a 2.10 GAA and .926 save percentage over his previous eight starts. Since only Edmonton is in a back-to-back situation, that makes me feel a little skeptical about Nurse, and in truth there aren't a ton of defensemen I'm that concerned about Tuesday.
Seth Jones, CLM at TAM ($18): The same concerns I have about Atkinson I have about Jones. Vasilevskiy has a 1.99 GAA and .930 save percentage, and since the Lightning don't play Wednesday there's basically no chance we see Curtis McElhinney in net instead. While Jones does have three goals in his last six games, he has a total of only four goals on the season.
