This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Last week, the Panthers were rolling along a 12-game winning streak heading into a road tilt against the Canucks. Now, Florida has dropped three straight and is playing its second game in consecutive nights against Edmonton. Anticipating a bounce-back showing from the Cats isn't out of the question.
Pittsburgh is also playing the second leg of back-to-back games against St. Louis, and Edmonton is playing its first contests of back-to-back games.
Additionally, don't look now, but San Jose has rattled off five consecutive wins, averaging 4.2 goals per game during the stretch. A strong run leading into the All-Star break would put the Sharks in a favorable spot in the Pacific Division standings.
GOALIE
Al Montoya, FLA vs. EDM ($35) - The backup has only allowed more than two goals in one start this season, and he is 5-0 with a .952 save percentage over his last six appearances -- one in relief. The Oilers have been a mess on the road, going 5-14-4 with 1.87 goals per game. Montoya is a strong lean Monday, especially with the Panthers looking to return to the win column.
Goalie to Avoid:
Louis Domingue, ARI vs. BUF ($35) - While at first glance the matchup checks out with Buffalo averaging just 2.31 goals per game this season, Domingue has allowed three goals in consecutive outings. The Coyotes often find themselves in high-event games, and Buffalo has some firepower. Expect Domingue to be a popular option Monday, too, so this is an opportunity to be contrarian.
CENTER
Nick Bjugstad, FLA vs, EDM ($13) - Coming off his best showing since returning from injury, Bjugstad scored a goal and registered five shots on net through 16:15 minutes of ice. The Oilers allow more than three goals per game on the road this season, and Bjugstad is a hulking pivot who is a matchup nightmare for opponents when on his game. The savings and upside are attractive.
Center to Avoid:
Carl Soderberg, COL at WPG ($19) - There are safer options with more upside around Soderberg's price. Over his past eight games, Soderberg has a goal and three helpers with a plus-1 rating and 13 shots, which is only modest production. It is more concerning that during the span Soderberg has six games with 6.0 Yahoo fantasy points or less.
WING
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at ARI ($19) - There is a plus/minus risk here, but O'Reilly has been a true road warrior this season with 19 points -- seven goals -- through 20 away games this season. Interestingly, too, outside a slow November, O'Reilly has been a point-per-game player through the other three months of the season. Arizona allows 3.0 goals per game, too. O'Reilly is an against-the-grain value option.
Tomas Hertl, SJ vs. OTT ($17) - With three goals and three assists to go with a plus-7 rating and 17 shots on goal in his last five outings, Hertl is enjoying life on the No. 1 line. At the cap hit, there are still savings given his form and role with the team, and Ottawa has allowed 3.33 goals per game on the road this season.
Wing to Avoid:
Mike Hoffman, OTT at SJ ($25) - It appears Hoffman will rejoin Kyle Turris ($15) and Mark Stone ($14) on the top line for the game Monday. However, his current form is miserable. He has just two goals and a minus-2 rating over his last eight outings, and the Sharks are playing their best hockey of the season. The cap hit is hefty, and Hoffman has been significantly less productive on the road this season.
DEFENSE
Trevor Daley, PIT at STL ($12) - At minimum price, Daley is a nice option Monday. He has scored a goal in consecutive games and has eight shot on net over his last three outings. With Kris Letang out Sunday, Daley quarterbacked the No. 1 power-play unit, too. Expect Daley to be chalky Monday, though.
Brent Burns, SJ vs. OTT ($33) - Honing in on a few values opens up the option to spend up for Bruns. He has failed to find the score sheet in consecutive games, but the rearguard still has averaged 12.8 Yahoo fantasy points over his last 10 showings with at least 6.0 points in each game. While you're paying for the high floor, you're also grabbing exposure to a potential game-high point total, too. Plus, many look to defense as a means of savings, so Bruns shouldn't be over-owned.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. PIT ($20) - Reeling along his worst offensive season since becoming a full-time player, Pietrangelo is a risky fantasy option at this salary. His game doesn't translate well to fantasy to begin with, and the prospect of playing hefty minutes against both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin makes him an unattractive investment. Pietrangelo is also a minus-5 in his last 12 games.
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