This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
After a quiet Monday that featured only one NHL game -- and that one a bizarre entry, with the Rangers' struggling offense stunningly waking up to score four goals on Martin Jones, who'd been nearly untouchable as a Shark -- the league gets back on the horse with a seven-game Tuesday slate.
Three games stick out as potential sources of significant offense, and thus Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey production: the Islanders in Columbus, the Capitals in Calgary and the Stars in Philly. Let's see if we can dig some values out of those games to help you bring home some money.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL at MON ($28) - Tuesday's cheapest starting goalie outside Curtis McElhinney (assuming he draws in for Columbus, as expected), Allen represents terrific fantasy value even though he has the unenviable task of confronting Carey Price and the Canadiens in Montreal. Why put him up against the league's sixth-best offense? Well, a few reasons. For one, the Habs lead the NHL in shots on goal so far -- with 204 pucks on net in six games, they're averaging 34 a game. Yahoo's scoring system is very friendly to situations like that, as it offers half a point per save. Even giving up four goals on 40 shots (12 points) is significantly better than giving up one goal on 20 shots (eight points). Of course, those six points for a win are a factor as well, and the Habs are undefeated at 6-0-0 with a strong offense and an all-world goalie. But, well, the Blues' skaters have been quite supportive, as they have the most goals in the league. It wouldn't be a shock if Montreal finally dropped one.
Player to Avoid:
Karri Ramo, CGY vs. WAS ($31) - Welcoming Alex Ovechkin along with a now-healthy Nicklas Backstrom to town is a tough draw, and while the Flames' blue line is offensively productive, as a team they leave something to be desired on the defensive end. Ramo's a slightly below-average goalie, and there's no need to risk him against a team that can pour it on like the Capitals, especially with a better netminder on the other end in Braden Holtby. Stay away.
CENTER
John Tavares, NYI at CLS ($26) - While there are cheaper ways to involve yourself in this sparkling opportunity for the Isles against the defensively struggling Jackets (who may be rolling out their backup), Tavares is a guy to build your team around. He's tied for the most expensive center, sure, but he also has 13 career points in 10 games against Columbus and has started this season with eight points in five contests. Look for him to stretch his point streak to four games as the Isles feed on their bumbling division rivals.
Player to Avoid:
Max Domi, ARI at NJ ($19) - Don't get me wrong -- the 20-year-old Domi is one of the most exciting young players in the league, and he's off to a fast start with six points in five games. But the Devils play a tight defensive game, particularly at home; in their three outings at Prudential Center so far, they've allowed a total of five goals, and three of those were in the season opener. With Cory Schneider stopping pucks and Domi due for a bit of a shooting-percentage regression, it's best to look elsewhere, especially when you only need to spend $1 more to roll out a superstar like the aforementioned Backstrom against a far inferior defense and goalie.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. FLA ($19) - A slow start (two points in five games) has Kessel's price depressed, but we all know that it's going to be hard to keep him and Sidney Crosby down for long. A matchup against Roberto Luongo and the rising Panthers isn't necessarily the juiciest, but I have a funny feeling that Sidney Crosby wakes up Tuesday and brings Kessel with him. With the Penguins likely feeling a bit better following consecutive wins after their 0-3 start, momentum is on their side, and considering Kessel's put just one of 18 shots past opposing netminders, the law of averages is, too.
Player to Avoid:
Michael Raffl, PHI vs. DAL ($16) - Frankly, I'm baffled why anyone would pay to put Raffl in a lineup when they could spend their money on a wide variety of players near the same price point who have far better offensive pedigrees. With an assist in four games this year, Raffl now has 51 points in 139 career NHL games. Sure, he quietly managed 21 goals last year, but he had the help of a surprisingly high shooting percentage, and his best fantasy category (hits) counts for nothing in this format.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL at PHI ($16) - With a fairly modest three assists in five games to start the year, Klingberg has been solid without quite lighting up the scoresheet in the way he did as a rookie. While it's to be expected that the league would adjust to him, the 23-year-old Swede has ramped up his effectiveness in the Stars' last three games after being nearly invisible in the first two, and he's the focal point of all the offense generated from the Dallas blue line. The Flyers aren't a team to fear matchup-wise, and Klingberg's nice and well rested after two days off since Saturday's game. More important, the price is dirt cheap for a player of Klingberg's ability.
Player to Avoid:
Jack Johnson, CLS vs. NYI ($17) - With one point (a goal, at least) and a minus-8 rating through six games this year, there's absolutely no reason to roll Johnson out there until the Jackets demonstrate they've corrected the lapses that have plagued them defensively and in goal. As a guy who's the definition of "good but not great" offensively and who isn't an especially prolific shot blocker on a struggling team, Johnson isn't a strong candidate for Tuesday's lineups.
