This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are only four games Wednesday, so assembling a balanced lineup for cash games and a "stars-and-studs" lineup with a few risks for tournaments is advised for Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey.
The slate features four lottery teams from last season and just one playoff club from a year ago. Detroit is the only team above .500.
GOALIE
Jonathan Bernier, TOR at BUF ($30) - A speculative stab with Bernier could pay off handsomely Wednesday. The Leafs and Sabres project to play a hard-fought, low-scoring tilt, and Bernier was outstanding for more than 50 minutes of his latest outing against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both teams will bring a lunch-pail mentality, and Bernier projects to see a lot of rubber. While saves pad the fantasy point column the fastest, the six-point win kickback is far from a guarantee. View Bernier as a No. 2 goalie candidate.
Goalie to Avoid:
Cam Ward, CAR at COL ($29) - At best, Cam Ward is a desperation flier given the small slate. He sports a 3.31 goals-against average with a .867 save percentage through four starts, and he went 8-15-1 with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage on the road last season. Plus, the Avalanche average 3.20 goals per outing.
CENTER
Claude Giroux, PHI at BOS ($20) - Dating to the 2010-11 season, Giroux has 377 points -- 120 goals -- through 374 games, and he is the No. 1 option in the player pool Wednesday. Yet, the perennial Art Ross Trophy contender is priced as the 10th-most expensive skater. Boston has also allowed 4.2 goals per game through their first five dates, too.
Center to Avoid:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. DET ($20) - The 2011 first overall selection has a pair of goals through six games, and while his season-long owners have no reason to panic, there is nothing to like about the matchup Wednesday. Detroit has rested since Saturday, and they should be viewed as a daunting draw.
WING
Teemu Pulkkinen, DET vs. EDM ($13) - A dollar above minimum price, Pulkkinen is a sneaky value play. He has three goals and 12 shots over his last four games, and the winger has played at least 16 minutes in each of the last two games. Pulkkinen has received power-play looks, and he boasts an elite shooting eye. Cap relief with upside is critical for winning lineups.
Jakub Voracek, PHI at BOS ($20) - Similar to his chum Giroux, Voracek has been an elite scorer for three consecutive seasons, and the winger receives all the top offensive minutes. It has been a slow start on the scoresheet for Philly, and the Flyers are on the wrong end of the consecutive games. Still, their Pennsylvania peers showed a thing or two about breaking out Tuesday. There is huge value in rolling out a Voracek-Giroux stack Wednesday.
Wings to Avoid:
Jarome Iginla, COL vs. CAR ($19) - The veteran has just five shots on net through five games, and while he does have two goals and a helper, Iginla sits at a minus-4 for the season. Carolina presents a nice matchup, but Iginla's foot speed and inability to generate offensive opportunities are serious concerns.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Gardiner, TOR at BUF ($12) - At minimum price, there is a lot to like about Gardiner as a flier, as he boasts a 60.9 Corsi For percentage and a plus-2 rating through five games on a one-win team. Talent has never been an issue, and Gardiner has an even-strength point in each of the last two games.
Nick Holden, COL vs. CAR ($12) - Another all-or-nothing flier, Holden projects to continue seeing power-play time with Tyson Barrie suspended. Holden also has three helpers and a plus-2 rating on the campaign. Finding savings on the blue line is a worthwhile strategy, and it is a solid matchup for Holden.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Mike Green, DET at EDM ($17) - With just an assist and three shots through five games wearing red, it is impossible to spin a positive take on Green's transition to the Wings. Power-play opportunities aren't the problem, but his chemistry with the club is in limbo, and Green is a risky investment at his cap hit.
