This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Six games are on the National Hockey League schedule Wednesday with the Islanders and Predators playing their second game in consecutive nights.
There are two matchups you should avoid over exposure with, as Washington visits Los Angeles and St. Louis hosts Chicago. These could easily both finish as 2-1 games fueled by playoff atmospheres.
Here are today's picks, pans and values.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA at COL ($32) - A price-point recommendation, Gibson is 4-0-1 through his past five starts with a .932 save percentage following a 31-save loss in overtime last time out. Anaheim could be in tough against Colorado, but at the cap hit, Gibson is a strong play. The Ducks have also won six straight road games and are 22-4-3 since the calendar flipped to 2016.
Player to avoid:
Jonathan Quick, LA vs. WAS ($37) - Washington took down Anaheim 2-1 in overtime Monday, and present one of the most daunting opponents Wednesday. After all, the Capitals have won 49 games with an average of 3.18 goals per game this season, including 23 wins and 3.09 goals per road tilt. Los Angeles does allow the fourth-fewest shots per game this season, but facing the Capitals leaves little wiggle room for error.
CENTER
Mike Ribeiro, NAS at CGY ($18) - The low-volume shooter doesn't stack up tallies in the goal column, but he does have 15 assists through his past 15 games with a plus-10 rating. Calgary has allowed 3.39 goals per game since the All-Star break, and kill penalties at just 71.2 percent during the same stretch.
Player to avoid:
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at LA ($25) - This fade is primarily about the matchup. And while Los Angeles allows just 2.22 goals per home game, Kuznetsov has also been showing signs of slowing down with only five points through his past eight outings. At his salary, he is more of a contrarian option.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. NSH ($22) - The sophomore loves the Scotiabank Saddledome. Gaudreau has 45 points including 21 goals through 32 home games with a plus-22 rating and 94 shots on net, and he snapped a five-game point streak at home last time out. Nashville enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road games, too. This is a target-worthy salary.
Anders Lee, NYI at TOR ($17) - Lee is gaining momentum with a four-game point streak, including three goals and a plus-3 rating. While down the depth chart at even strength, Lee is receiving looks with the No. 1 power-play unit. Toronto checks out as a plus matchup across all statistical categories and have lost six straight games, too.
Player to avoid:
Kyle Okposo, NYI at TOR ($28) - A six-dollar jump in price following a pointless outing should raise concern. Okposo had a three-game, multi-point streak snapped Tuesday, and even with the cushy matchup against Toronto on Wednesday, this is a steep price to pay for the hit-or-miss winger. He has 28 games without a point this season and 12 multi-point games, and it is always wise to be wary of spending up for an inconsistent scorer.
DEFENSEMEN
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. CHI ($17) - The Blackhawks have been a much easier opponent on the road all season and allow 3.06 goals per away game. However, the real draw here is their reeling penalty kill. Chicago is killing at just 68.9 percent since the All-Star break and owns the 25th-ranked 77.4 percent mark on the road for the campaign. Plus, Shattenkirk has three helpers through his past two games, including two of the PP variety.
Player to avoid:
Cam Fowler, ANA at COL ($23) - While Fowler is just an outing removed from a five-game point streak and an excellent cross-category contributor, the salary has climbed in a hurry. It is extremely pricey for a middling fantasy defenseman, and even with the juicy matchup (Colorado has allowed 3.8 goals per game through its past five outings), you can find better value in similar spots Wednesday.
