This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Of the 10 teams in action Wednesday, just the Maple Leafs, Senators and Devils are playing their second game in consecutive nights.
Buffalo and Washington are playing the second leg of a home-and-home series, which projects favorably for the Capitals. Additionally, a rematch of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals between the Lightning and Rangers is a tape-measuring matchup.
Here are a number of value leans, stars and fades to help fill out your daily Yahoo lineup.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. TOR ($33) - The rookie has looked the part through his first three starts (.934 save percentage), and while the sample size is small, his latest road win over the Wild was impressive. Toronto travels to Pittsburgh after a 6-3 shellacking from the Islanders on Tuesday, too. The game projects favorably for Murray and the Penguins, and his cap hit is manageable.
Goalie to Avoid:
James Reimer, TOR at PIT ($38) - Reimer entered in relief Tuesday, but he hasn't started since Dec. 3. On paper it isn't a daunting matchup with Pittsburgh struggling offensively all season and averaging just 2.23 goals per game. However, the Penguins are healthy and need to kickstart a strong stretch to surge up the standings. Still, the real concern with Reimer is the potential rust after a lengthy injury lay off, the Leafs playing their second game in consecutive nights and the hefty salary.
CENTER
Travis Zajac, NJ at OTT ($12) - Zajac notched a pair of assists Tuesday, and he has seen even-strength looks with Mike Cammalleri and Kyle Palmieri. Zajac started the season strong when playing alongside Palmieri, including a nine-game stretch where Zajac posted 11 points. Ottawa is allowing 3.2 goals per game over its last five outings and enters on the wrong end of back-to-back games. Zajac is an upside source of cap relief Wednesday.
Center to Avoid:
Kyle Turris, OTT vs. NJ ($19) - Stardom still awaits Turris, as he has stumbled to a minus-7 rating with just a goal and three assists through his past nine games. The upside is there, and Turris has shown it at times the last two seasons. The issue Wednesday is Cory Schneider and the Devils allowing just 2.3 goals per game this season.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. BUF ($34) - Wednesday is a viable spot to spend up for Ovechkin. It is a small slate, and he lands in a favorable matchup. Buffalo held Washington to two goals in Buffalo last time out, but expect more offense from the Capitals in their own barn Wednesday. While you're not spending up for Ovechkin's high-shot volume, it does provide a high floor, and there are enough value plays to accommodate his salary.
Jesper Fast, NYR at TB ($12) - A grab from the discount bin, Fast is playing his best hockey of the season of late with two goals and two assists through his last six outings. He is expected to skate with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash at even strength in a top-six role. At a contest-minimum price, Fast is in a nice spot to return value and more.
Wing to Avoid:
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at WAS ($24) - The matchup and cap hit are the knocks on O'Reilly on Wednesday. He is having an excellent season, especially when you consider the revolving doors to his left and right. Regardless of the wingers flanking him, O'Reilly is posting numbers. Still, there are better options in more favorable matchups in the player pool.
DEFENSE
Matt Niskanen, BUF vs. WAS ($15) - John Carlson's status is a big factor in the equation, as Niskanen projects to see an uptick in offensive minutes if Carlson is out. But even with Carlson in the lineup, Niskanen has nice peripherals and the plus-matchup to easily return value on his modest cap hit.
Trevor Daley, PIT vs. TOR ($13) - The salary is still fully within profit territory, and while Kris Letang's return curbs Daley's role on the No. 1 power-play unit, there is still plenty of upside for Daley. His skating ability will help him stay involved offensively, and as mentioned, the matchup is ripe Wednesday.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYR ($20) - As it stands, Hedman is easily a top-20 fantasy defenseman and is the sixth most expensive blue liner in the player pool Wednesday. However, he has just two goals and six helpers over his last 25 games, as he has fallen off the map offensively after posting 10 assists through 11 October games to start the season. Until Hedman returns to form, he is a risky investment in the daily racket.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
