This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's eight-game NHL slate is chock full of premier matchups, with the Stars-Wild and Blues-Kings games featuring four of the league's seven teams with over 50 points. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets and Sharks will look for moments of respite from tough seasons against fellow bottom-dwelling squads in the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs, respectively. Regardless of which games you think will provide the most fantasy value, these individuals are all in situations conducive to success.
GOALIE
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. TB ($27) - Miller is re-joining the Canucks lineup for the first time since Dec. 20, but he gets to enjoy a comfortable matchup in his return. Tampa Bay has lost three of four while scoring just nine goals in that span heading into the weekend, and will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set in Canada. Considering Miller is the cheapest goaltender on the market Saturday, you could do much worse at your No. 2 goalie spot.
Goalie to Avoid
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at DAL ($33) - Don't get cute here. Even in losing three of their last four games, the Stars have managed to score 11 goals. The NHL's most productive offense isn't one to be trifled with, which means Dubnyk should be kept out of lineups despite his relative discount price.
CENTER
Tyler Bozak, TOR at SJ ($19) - Bozak has 102.0 points in his last 12 games, with five goals, seven assists and a tremendous plus-8 rating over that span. The strong two-way center has a good chance of building on that resume against a San Jose team that has been nearly as incompetent as Bozak's own Maple Leafs this season. Considering his combination of high floor and recent strong play, Bozak offers the best bang for the buck on Toronto's roster.
Center to Avoid:
David Backes, STL at LA ($18) - Backes is playing through an upper-body injury despite being unable to practice, suggesting those starting him aren't getting what they're paying for. Against a Kings team allowing the fewest goals per game in the Western Conference, the injured center doesn't make for the smartest DFS play.
WING
Shane Doan, ARI vs. NSH ($24) - Phoenix's captain has netted an impressive seven goals in his last five games, and he now gets to face a backup goaltender at home. Nashville netminder Carter Hutton has surrendered 15 goals in his five starts this season, putting Doan in prime position to extend his scoring binge against a vulnerable target. His price isn't cheap, but Doan is as likely to find the back of the net as any winger in action Saturday.
Sven Baertschi, VAN vs. TB ($14) - Baertschi has flashed some offensive skills in his first season with consistent NHL playing time, racking up 13 points through 33 NHL games, including four goals and two assists in his last six appearances. The Swiss forward currently finds himself in a productive offensive role on Vancouver's second line, making him an enticing bargain against a Lightning team playing the second game of a road back-to-back.
Wings to Avoid:
Chris Kunitz, PIT at MON ($16) - There are few redeeming qualities about Kunitz's 2015-16 campaign, as he heads into Saturday's contest with just 13 points through 40 games and on a four-game pointless streak. There are much better investments to be made for $16.
Milan Lucic, LA vs. STL ($15) - Lucic has just one goal in his last 14 games, as the former Bruins winger has hit a wall lately. Chances are he'll struggle to regain his scoring touch against a Blues team that is allowing less than 2.50 goals per game this season. Considering he hasn't topped three shots on goal in a game since Dec. 5, it doesn't look like Lucic is particularly close to turning the corner any time soon.
DEFENSEMEN
John Klingberg, DAL vs. MIN ($18) - It's almost criminal that Klingberg is available for only $18, as there are 14 more expensive defensemen even though there are just eight players in the whole NHL with more points. There's little not to like about the Swedish blueliner's stats, as he has 38 points and a plus-10 rating. Grab him for cheap while you can before his price rockets to a level appropriate for his production.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. TOR ($17) - Vlasic has picked up the pace offensively over his last eight games, registering a goal and five assists with two of his points coming on the power play. Getting on the scoresheet is always nice, but the blueliner hasn't abandoned his defensive responsibilities, blocking at least three shots four times in that span after doing so just seven times in his first 28 appearances of the season. His even plus-minus is the least impressive part of Vlasic's resume this season, but a home tilt against a less-than-impressive Maple Leafs squad offers him a golden opportunity to improve in that category.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Zdeno Chara, BOS at OTT ($17) - Chara has struggled offensively of late, with his one point over the last seven games falling far short of the early season pace he established with five goals and three assists through the season's first 29 games. At age 38, it's likely the longtime star is finally wearing down. Ottawa's high-powered offense could provide problems for Chara, and further erode the minus-3 rating he has posted since Dec. 20.
Kris Letang, PIT at MON ($30) - Letang is the most expensive defenseman available Saturday, even though he has just four goals and an atrocious minus-12 rating this season. He has been hot of late, but don't be surprised if the offensive-minded defenseman comes crashing back to earth on the road against a Montreal team with a 12-6-2 home record.
