This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday's nine-game NHL slate features plenty of exciting action, with both Western division leaders highlighting a diverse pool of teams in action. While both Los Angeles (against last-place Columbus) and Dallas (home against Carolina) feature many lineup-worthy options, it's important not to forget about the seven potentially less lopsided matchups. Offensive-minded teams like the Senators often provide value regardless of opponent, and every roster is teeming with talented players who can help carry you to victory on any given night. The players listed below are all good candidates to do just that.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. ARI ($34) - Allen sports a solid 2.23 GAA and .917 save percentage this season, and has a good chance of improving those numbers in Tuesday's home matchup against a Coyotes team that has dropped four consecutive. The third-year netminder has never lost three consecutive games in regulation, so he's likely to bounce back and end a personal two-game drought in this one. With 10 goaltenders worth at least as much, Allen makes for an excellent value play.
Goalie to Avoid:
Cory Schneider, NJ at TOR ($38) - It's tempting to roll with Schneider against a low-scoring Toronto offense despite his high price, but there are many more sound investments. New Jersey's netminder has been subpar recently, scoring 7.5 points or less in four his last six appearances while failing to hold opponents to less than two goals in 13 of the last 14. Don't pay top dollar for mediocrity.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WSH vs. DET ($23) - Backstrom has two goals and four assists in his last five games, as his recent power-play proficiency (four points) has allowed him to exceed a point-per-game pace over that time. The middling Detroit penalty kill isn't likely to contain Washington's top-line center, and Backstrom's recent production has topped that of the other players in his price range. His position on the top line between Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie should continue to grant Backstrom plenty of opportunities to maintain this impressive scoring pace.
Center to Avoid:
Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. NSH ($22) - Toews has just 16.0 total fantasy points in his last five games, and a date with the star-studded Predators defense hardly makes for the ideal scenario to snap out of a funk. Leave Toews out of your lineup until he shows signs of stirring from his offensive slumber.
WINGS
Marian Gaborik, LA at CLS ($19) - The sniper is having an underwhelming season, but he has shown signs of waking up offensively with a two-goal game and a seven-shot performance among his last four games. Gaborik's spike in production has coincided with an increase in playing time, so he should have no shortage of opportunities to keep the good times rolling in his newfound first-line role. Add in that he might be extra motivated against one of his former teams, and Gaborik makes for an enticing play against Columbus' 23rd-ranked defense.
Patrick Marleau, SJ at CGY ($21) - Marleau has six goals and five power-play points in his last 10 games, and he has a good chance of improving in both categories against a Calgary team that ranks last in the NHL in both penalty kill percentage and goals allowed. The 36-year-old winger's poor plus-minus has kept his price from ballooning too high, but he has otherwise defied his advanced age with consistent production, and thus makes for a quality value play in a game in which he doesn't run much of a risk of struggling in that category.
Wings to Avoid:
Alex Ovechkin, WSH vs. DET ($32) - Ovechkin's name recognition and impressive shot totals keep his price from dropping too low, but these factors work to the detriment of his prospective owners when he's slumping in the points department. It's tough to justify investing a $32 chunk of cap room into a player averaging less than a point per game this season.
Max Domi, ARI at STL ($20) - Domi's two-goal game against Buffalo on Friday broke a nine-game goalless drought, but he promptly reverted back to his poor form with a zero-shot, minus-3 performance in the next game. The rookie looks lost, and he shouldn't get much consideration in daily leagues until he strings together some quality offensive performances.
DEFENSEMEN
John Klingberg, DAL vs. CAR ($24) - A three-game pointless streak has dropped Klingberg's price to $20 despite him still ranking second among defensemen in points with 27. Among those 27 are 11 power-play points, and it's not hard to imagine Klingberg adding to that total against the team that allows the most power plays in the NHL. Take advantage of Klingberg's momentary lull in price or you'll be kicking yourself when it inevitably rises back into the mid-20s.
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. SJ ($19) - Giordano is just months removed from a Norris Trophy-worthy campaign that was cut short by injury after he scored 48 points in 61 games, so it's hardly surprising to see the blueliner heating up offensively. After a predictably slow start, the veteran has picked up three points in his last four games, and should continue to see his value rise if this recent resurgence is indeed a true return to form. If Giordano's past production is indicative of his future results, he won't be available for a price in the teens much longer.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Johnny Boychuk, NYI vs. PHI ($17) - Boychuk has just one point since Nov. 16, and the coaching staff has responded to his lack of production by cutting his ice time. The veteran has seen less than 21 minutes of ice time in four of the last five games despite averaging almost 22 on the season, and it's best to leave him on the bench until he can regain a larger role with the Islanders.
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