This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It is a light night Monday with just five games on the National Hockey League docket.
An interesting matchup stands out in high altitude with Los Angeles looking to extend its winning streak to six against Colorado who have lost four of its past five games.
Here are a number of solid value options and players to fade to help fill out your daily Yahoo lineup.
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. ARI ($27) - Arizona has lost nine of its past 11 road games and averaged just 1.91 goals per game during the skid. Markstrom has also shown well lately, allowing two goals or fewer in four of his last five games and a single goal in three of those outings. Still, this is a value lean, and Markstrom is far from a guarantee, but the price, recent form and matchup check out nicely.
Goalie to Avoid:
Cory Schneider, NJ vs. DET ($35) - The Devils have won four of their past five outings, and at 20-14-5, they are having a surprising campaign. And while Schneider's play has impacted the team's success significantly, is this a team your confident in winning five of six and spending up for its goalie in the process? All said, there are safer options in Schneider's price range.
CENTER
Paul Stastny, STL vs. OTT ($15) - The pivot has upside against Ottawa, which has allowed 21 goals over its last seven games with just a single win. Stastny skates with Vladimir "Scores a lot" Tarasenko and "Mr. Consistent" Alexander Steen in all situations, and Stastny has an assist in three consecutive outings. The ice between those two wingers is prime real estate and comes at a reduced price.
Center to Avoid:
Anze Kopitar, LA at COL ($27) - While the pivot has been one of the most consistent options in the player pool his last 20 games, Kopitar has just five goals and four multi-point showings during his offense surge. The matchup is ripe with Colorado allowing 4.0 goals per game over its last five, but still, Kopitar needs a multi-point return to justify his cap hit. And most nights, he is only good for a helper, a plus-rating and two shots.
WING
Tyler Toffoli, LA at COL ($26) - Here is the player to roll with to take advantage of Colorado's recent defensive shortcomings. Toffoli is a touch streaky, but he is riding hot with seven goals, three helpers, a plus-8 rating and 26 shots on net over his last nine games. Speaking of the porous Avalanche, they've allowed four goals or more in four of their last five outings.
Tomas Tatar, DET at NJ ($14) - After joining Pavel Datsyuk at even strength last time out, Tatar went good for a goal and an assist to snap an 11-game slump where he posted the same numbers. The Devils are a tough draw and allow just 2.3 goals per game at home. However, Tatar is a second-tier offensive contributor in terms of past production and skill, and he is priced among the basement dwellers.
Wing to Avoid:
Shane Doan, ARI at VAN ($23) - The veteran is a personal favorite, and his hat trick Tuesday and two-goal following the next game were pleasant blasts from the past. Still, this isn't a high-end option worth spending up for. All season, Doan has topped 10.0 Yahoo fantasy points, and three of those games came in his last six outings.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR at EDM ($23) - The plus/minus risk is real, and Faulk hasn't registered a point through his last three games. Edmonton has allowed 3.2 goals per game over its last 10 contests, though, and is killing penalties at just a 79.8 percent. Faulk leads the league in power-play goals, and he averages 2.95 shots per game while leading the Hurricanes in points for the season.
Brendan Smith, DET at NJ ($12) - With seven points -- two goals -- in his last eight games, Smith is a slam-dunk option at minimum price. He also chips in the peripherals with 13 shots and seven blocked shots. The only knock is his lack of power-play looks, but you can't be picky in this price range.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Erik Karlsson, OTT at STL ($28) - There is a Jekyll and Hyde nature to the Senators -- with Karlsson on the ice and with Karlsson on the bench. Karlsson has played north of 30 minutes in six of the last eight games, and while he remains a high-end fantasy option, the workload will hinder his production over the long run. Plus, the matchup is poor Monday. St. Louis allows just 2.23 goals per game at home this season.
