This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are no down nights in the National Hockey League leading into the holidays. Eight games don the schedule.
Four struggling teams -- Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Montreal and Edmonton -- look to end losing streaks, and Washington, St. Louis and Colorado are eyeing extending their winning runs.
Be wary of overexposure to the Central Division showdown between the Stars and Wild. The price points are high, and Minnesota allows just 1.94 goals per game in their rink.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. TOR ($38) - During his six-game winning streak, Varlamov has a .970 save percentage and has allowed just six goals. While Toronto has been finding the back off the net more frequently with an average of 3.8 goals per game over their past five, they average just 1.8 goals per game on the road this season. The Aves have won eight of their past 10 games, too, and the Leafs don't travel well -- 5-8-2 road record.
Goalie to avoid:
John Gibson, ANA at NYI ($36) - The goalie of the future has been the victim of poor goal support, as his .927 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average should have yielded more than four wins. Facing the Islanders on the road is also a tough draw. New York is 11-5-2 at the Barclays Center and will look to curb its three-game losing streak Monday. Should Frederik Andersen ($23) receive the starting nod, he has flier appeal as a low-cost No. 2 option in goal.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at CAR ($21) - With a goal and six helpers in his last four games, Backstrom continues to produce at a high level and has 31 points -- 10 goals -- through 29 games. Carolina has allowed 3.3 goals per game in last 10 games and 3.0 goals per game for the season. The Hurricanes are also killing penalties at just 76.2 percent. The price is low, especially for a key cog in a high-octane offense.
Center to Avoid:
Mikko Koivu, MIN vs. DAL ($22) - Expect the Minnesota captain to play opposite Stars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn for the majority of the night Monday. It is a nightmare matchup because the Seguin-Benn combo owns a 3.81 goals per 60 minutes mark and 55.15 CorsiFor percentage at five-on-five over the last three seasons. Koivu is capable, but finding a better matchup is advised at his cap hit.
WING
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL at PHI ($27) - Riding a five-game goal scoring streak, Tarasenko has been cruising offensively for a substantial clip with 14 goals and nine helpers in his last 19 games. He is as offensively gifted as any winger in the player pool but is priced below the top tier.
Patrick Sharp, DAL at MIN ($19) - A two-point showing followed Sharp's promotion back to the No. 1 line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Sharp has performed well with the duo, and his GF60 and CorsiFor% are significantly better with both. There is nice value for the veteran. And while it can't be billed as a plus-matchup, Sharp is an affordable play to provide exposure to his high-priced linemates.
Wing to avoid:
Max Pacioretty, MTL at NSH ($23) - Montreal has lost three consecutive games and seven of their last eight outings. Pacioretty has a goal and minus-9 rating during the span. His 40 shots certainly push the needle, but you're not spending up for shot volume. Nashville is also 10-4-2 at home and allow just 2.12 goals in their barn.
DEFENSE
Shea Weber, NSH vs. MTL ($20) - The rearguard has topped 10.0 Yahoo fantasy points in consecutive games, and he has three helpers, six shots and four blocked shots over his last two games. Montreal enters allowing 3.2 goals per game over their past five outings, and Weber's high floor presents nice value next to his affordable cap hit.
Trevor Daley, PIT vs. CLS ($12) - Daley was the point man for the Penguins No. 1 power-play unit Saturday, and playing pitch and catch in the umbrella formation with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is a juicy fantasy spot. At the cap hit, Daley is an Grade A source of cap relief Monday.
Defenseman to avoid:
P.K. Subban, MTL at DAL ($19) - The value meter will trigger soon, as Subban's poor play has his salary falling quickly. During the Habs' cold stretch, Subban has just two helpers and a minus-1 rating through his past eight outings, and as mentioned, Nashville is a tough draw at home.
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