This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are only three games on the NHL docket Wednesday, and the Western Conference battle between Minnesota and Anaheim has all the makings of a low-scoring affair. The St. Louis-Detroit tilt could have a similar low-event outcome.
Stacking the Avalanche at home against the Sabres will be a popular strategy, but the small slate makes it difficult to take a contrarian route. Being too cute can be disastrous, and honing in on high-floor players is encouraged.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. BUF ($31) - Varlamov bounced back in his latest outing, saving 36 of 37 shots for a road win over Winnipeg on Monday. As the second least expensive goalie in the player pool, he is an attractive option given his track record of being a high-end fantasy option when rolling. While Buffalo has won four of its last five outings, this still should be viewed as one of the cushiest matchups of the night.
Goalie to Avoid:
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at ANA ($35) - Minnesota (8-7-6) and Dubnyk (7-7-3, 2.45 GAA) have been mediocre away from the Hockey State this season, and the Ducks are settled in and climbing the standings with an active 10-5-2 stretch. While Dubnyk is certainly capable of limiting Anaheim and leaving the Duck Pond with a win, his road production this season is concerning.
CENTER
Robby Fabbri, STL at DET ($14) - Fabbri was contributing nicely from a bottom-six role with 10 goals and four helpers through his first 38 games, but now he is up with Vladimir Tarasenko ($29). Over his last six games, Fabbri has two goals and three helpers, and he is living up to the hype and pedigree he entered the league with. He has nice upside at the cap hit.
Center to Avoid:
Mikko Koivu, MIN at ANA ($14) - With just two helpers, a minus-1 rating and only 14 shots on net through his last 10 games, so his current form is underwhelming. Additionally, Koivu will have the one-two punch of Ryan Getzlaf ($22) and Ryan Kesler ($18) to match up against all night. Don't fret fading Koivu Wednesday.
WING
Tomas Tatar, BUF at ARI ($16) - Projected to skate on a new-look line with Pavel Datsyuk ($23) and Dylan Larkin ($20), Tatar has struggled lately with just five points -- three goals -- over his last 15 games, but three goals and a helper have come over his last seven games. Look for the slump-busting performances to keep coming from Tatar alongside his offensively gifted linemates.
Jason Pominville, MIN at ANA ($12) - At minimum price, Pominville stands out as an obviously value option Wednesday. He plays top-line minutes and skates with the No. 1 power-play unit. And while he is coming off a five-shot game, Pominiville is having the worst offensive season of his career, and he hasn't found the score sheet in 12 games.
Wing to avoid:
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. MIN ($21) - The salary has skyrocketed, as Silfverberg has two goals and four assists with 23 shots on net in his last five games. Those six points doubled his offensive output in the first 39 games of the season, though, and Minnesota isn't exactly a porous defensive team. The buy-low window has closed for Silfverberg.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL at DET ($19) - Despite registering just one goal and one assist in his last six games, Shattenkirk has averaged 6.83 Yahoo points per game through his peripheral statistics. He is arguably the top offensive defenseman in the player pool, and his cap hit is down enough to make him a screaming value Wednesday.
Shea Theodore, ANA vs. MIN ($16) - Riding a three-game point streak and finding his game at the highest level, Theodore's salary is creeping up. He is manning the point on the No. 1 power-play unit, and Minnesota kills penalties at just 79.4 percent.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. PIT ($22) - Having to rely on shot volume and blocked shots isn't ideal when you're spending up at defense. Pietrangelo has shown some signs of offensive lately, but he has been quiet for a prolonged stretch with just eight points -- one goal -- in his last 28 games and is minus-5 during the stretch. It should never shock to see Pietrangelo perform well, but he has been leaving owners wanting more too frequently lately.
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