This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The National Hockey League is back with a 12-game slate Tuesday. Last season, the home teams won eight of 11 games in the first night back to action following the All-Star break. Keep that in mind when assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at NJ ($35) - In a road start Tuesday, Lundqvist's current form is attractive while priced among the second tier of his position. He has five wins and a .938 save percentage through his last seven outings, and the Devils have scored just 2.25 goals per game at home, which is second to last in the league.
Goalie to Avoid:
Corey Crawford, CHI at COL ($42) - It has been a season-long struggle away from the United Center for Crawford. He has an underwhelming road line with a 10-7-1 record, .909 save percentage and 2.93 goals-against average, and the Blackhawks have allowed 3.08 goals per away game. At a contest-high salary, and with 23 goalies donning the blue paint, aim for a better value play Tuesday.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. CLS ($16) - Why not take the savings and swing for the fences? Health is no concern, and the matchup is ripe. Columbus allows 3.11 goals per road game, and McDavid projects to see top-flight offensive minutes immediately. There is a chance others overlook him in his first game back, too.
Center to Avoid:
Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. TOR ($31) - Their 5-1 drubbing against Florida aside, the Maple Leafs have allowed just 10 goals in their last five games and are generally a decent defensive team. With Bergeron involved with the All-Star festivities, look for him to have trouble living up to his hefty cap it. His salary is the third-highest among pivots, after all.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. OTT ($26) - The Penguins averaged 3.18 goals per game in January, the third most in the league, and Kessel has heated up along with them. Through his last 12 games Kessel has 11 points -- four goals -- with 35 shots on net. Ottawa allows a whooping 3.42 goals per game on the road this season, too.
David Perron, ANA vs. SJ ($15) - Switching coasts helped Perron, as the winger has a point in each of his first four games with Anaheim and five total, including two goals. He is playing top-six minutes next to Ryan Getzlaf and skating with the No. 1 power-play unit. The recent production, role and cap hit add up to a nice low-cost dice roll.
Wing to Avoid:
Kyle Palmieri, NJ vs. NYR ($20) - The winger has been held off the score sheet in nine of his last 13 games, and his recent three-point showing is buoying him from a notable slump. He has just four goals and two helpers during the span, and New York has held the Devils to two goals or fewer in four of the last five meetings over the last two seasons.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL at WPG ($18) - This is a nice matchup for Klingberg to continue breaking out of his slump. He has an assist in two of his last three games but has also been held without a point in 16 of his last 26 games. At his more affordable salary, and with Winnipeg allowing 2.82 goals per game and killing penalties at just 77.2 percent, Klingberg is a strong play.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. MIN ($14) - On the surface there is a plus/minus risk, but Minnesota has traveled poorly this season and averages just 2.25 goals per road game. Leddy, meanwhile, has rattled off nine points -- three goals -- through his last 12 games with an average of 22:32 minutes per night. His woes in the plus/minus column have kept him price down and in profit territory.
Defenseman to avoid:
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ at ANH ($22) - There are no flies on Vlasic, but he shouldn't be viewed as a $22 fantasy defenseman, either. While he moves the needle enough across categories to hit value at this cost, the matchup is daunting and you're paying for his ceiling. Anaheim allowed just 2.09 goals through 11 January games and allows just 2.31 goals per game at home this season.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
