This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The trade deadline has passed, and the stretch run has officially begun in the National Hockey League with roughly six weeks and approximately 20 games remaining for those teams looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
In regards to those players donning new jerseys, it isn't out of the question to take a wait-and-see approach to see where they slide into their new lineups and the role they'll play. Additionally, sometimes it takes time for chemistry with new linemates to develop.
There are nine games Tuesday, and here are your values and pans.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. COL ($30) - This is a generous price for Dubnyk at home. The Wild are a new club under bench boss John Torchetti, and Dubnyk has won four of his past six starts with a .921 save percentage. Beating Colorado won't be a cakewalk, but Dubnyk boasts a .925 save percentage and four shutouts through 25 starts at home this season.
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. DAL ($35) - Those looking for a contrarian option could do a lot worse than Rinne. The Stars enter on the wrong end of a back-to-back and have won just one of their past five outings. Rinne, meanwhile, has won four of his past five outings with a .974 save percentage and two shutouts.
Player to avoid:
Ondrej Pavelec, WPG vs. FLA ($28) - Don't be tempted by the cushy cap hit. Pavelec has coughed up nine goals through his past two starts and owns an underwhelming .902 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average for the season. Plus, he has been a fringe NHL'er for most of his career with his 2104-15 campaign the only season he was anything more than mediocre. Florida is look to kick a two-game losing skid, too, and the Jets are allowing 4.0 goals per game through their past five outings. It all stacks up poorly for Pavelec.
CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. DAL ($17) - The pivot is reeling with a seven-game point drought, but his salary is down as a result, and the matchup checks out Tuesday. The Stars have allowed 28 goals through their past six games and are playing their second game in consecutive nights. Look for a slump-busting showing from Johansen.
Paul Stastny, STL at OTT ($13) - Priced for profit, Stastny is riding between Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz of late. The center has failed to fully hit his offensive stride this season (six goals and 24 helpers through 47 games), so there is risk, but as far as cap relief goes, it will be difficult to find a better situation Tuesday.
Player to avoid:
Sean Monahan, CGY at BOS ($25) - Away from Cowtown, Monahan has just 14 points with 11 goals through 30 road games with a minus-13 rating. He is scorching hot right now with 15 points through 13 February games, but the road matchup remains concerning, especially at his cap hit and with Patrice Bergeron likely to square up against him all night.
WING
Zach Parise, MIN vs. COL ($22) - This is a nice price point for Parise. He has a goal and eight assists through his past 10 games with 35 shots on net and five power play points. The 2.9 shooting percentage suggests positive regression, and Parise has rattled off four goals with an assist and 16 shots on net through three games against Colorado this season.
Zack Kassian, EDM at BUF ($12) - Recently rolling with Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl, Kassian has returned a goal and a helper through his past three games with seven shots on net and an average of 17:20 minutes per night. Plus, Kassian might pack extra motivation against the team that made him the 13th overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Player to avoid:
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. CGY ($31) - The price is likely justified with Marchand posting 21 points including 17 goals through his past 20 games, and he lands in a dreamy matchup Tuesday. Calgary has lost five straight games with 20 goals allowed, and the Flames finished February with 3.5 goals against per game. Still, Marchand owns an unsustainable 25.8 shooting percentage during his recent scoring stretch, and you have to make extreme sacrifices to slide him under the cap.
DEFENSEMEN
Johnny Boychuk, NYI at VAN ($20) - A high-floor option, Boychuk has returned five points through his past 10 games with a plus-5 rating, 22 shots and 20 blocked shots. Look for the Islanders to bounce back after a poor outing against Edmonton on Sunday, and the Canucks have allowed 3.6 goals per game through their past five outings.
Matt Niskanen, WAS at PIT ($16) - With John Carlson out, Niskanen's fantasy value receives a huge spike, and especially with his new role on the No. 1 power play unit. Remember, Niskanen rolled off a 16-game stretch with 10 points, a plus-9 rating, 40 shots and 35 blocked shots from late December into February. The price is right, too.
Mike Reilly, MIN vs. COL ($13) - Since joining the Wild, Reilly has averaged 2:17 minutes of power-play time and registered two assists with the man advantage. Through 11 games, the rookie has totaled five helpers with 12 shots and eight blocked shots. He is a little down the depth chart, but appears to have carved out his role, which makes his low salary appealing.
Player to avoid:
Colton Parayko, STL at OTT ($19) - When the St. Louis blue line is at full health, Parayko isn't a reliable fantasy option. He has shined in spurts when top defenders were injured, but his numbers fade away when he is relegated down the depth chart. Stay clear Tuesday, especially at the hefty cap hit.
