This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's six-game NHL slate is Eastern heavy, with two-thirds of the teams in action hailing from that conference. Despite being the only matchup of its kind, the all-Western battle between the Oilers and Wild might actually produce the night's most obvious fantasy plays based on the two teams' respective recent trends. Chances are that all Minnesota players will not a winning lineup make, so scanning the rest of the league for standout values is the key to success.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, DET vs WPG ($31) - Mrazek went 6-2-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .910 save percentage in February, so he should be forgiven for a pair of subpar starts to open March. At just $31, the Czech netminder is a good bet to get back on track against a Jets team that has dropped eight of its last 10 games.
Goalie to Avoid:
Cam Talbot ($36) - Talbot totaled just 3.0 fantasy points when he faced the Wild on Feb. 18, and now he has to face them coming off four wins in five games. His chances of picking up a win are low, and it's tough to justify investing $36 in a goaltender who's leaving 6.0 fantasy points on the table.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF at MON ($21) - Eichel has three goals and two assists on 17 shots during his four-game point streak and faces a Montreal team that has given up at least three goals in six of its last seven games. The gifted rookie is in a strong position to extend his point streak as Buffalo's first-line center, and is still underpriced at $21 considering his recent success.
Center to Avoid:
Joe Thornton, SJ vs. NJ ($29) - While Thornton is on a six-game point streak, he managed just a sole assist in five of those contests. Teammates Joe Pavelski ($28) and Logan Couture ($27) are both more menacing offensive threats at this stage of their respective careers and can be had for a lower price. Besides, using a player facing a Devils team that ranks ninth in the league in goals against per game isn't ideal on a night when the majority of teams in action are ranked far below that mark.
WING
Lee Stempniak, BOS vs. CAR ($15) - Stempniak has fit in marvelously with the Bruins, recording six points and 43.0 fantasy points in his last four games after a one-game adjustment. He has skated on the team's top line with consistent producers Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron and makes for a terrific value at $15 considering his stats and role.
Zach Parise, MIN vs. EDM ($26) - Parise has been a major part of Minnesota's recent turnaround, with 12 points in his last 14 games. The former Devil should add to that total against the league's sixth-worst defense Thursday, especially since his shooting percentage is bound to even out considering he has only one goal on his last 56 shots.
Wings to Avoid:
Matt Beleskey, BOS vs. CAR ($20) - Beleskey hasn't lived up to his price lately, totaling just 21.0 points in his last six appearances. Until he gets it back on track, there are many more appealing options available on his team alone.
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA vs. OTT ($19) - Huberdeau has no goals and just two assists in his last five games. Even against the porous Senators defense, Huberdeau is unlikely to live up to his $19 price based on his recent play.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT at FLA ($26) - Karlsson's full body of work should outweigh his slight recent downturn, yet his three single-digit fantasy-point performances in the last four games have lowered the Swedish defenseman's price down to $26. He leads all NHL players with 57 assists this season, and that number should only rise against a Panthers team that has dropped five of its last six games. Karlsson's elite upside makes him a worthwhile investment at his price.
P.K. Subban, MON vs. BUF ($22) - Subban continues to produce despite Montreal's struggles, with a pair of 13.0 fantasy point performances and an 8.0 fantasy point one in his last four games. His team's continued slide down the standings has put a cap on Subban's price, but the team's leading scorer makes for a nice bargain at just $22. Facing a Sabres team with the second-fewest points in the Eastern Conference further enhances the blueliner's chances of outperforming his valuation Thursday.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Jaccob Slavin, CAR at BOS ($18) - Slavin's offensive resume is weak for an $18 player, as he has just a single goal and 14 assists through 48 games. The American's inability to get on the scoresheet frequently makes him a less appealing option than the other guys in his price range by putting a severe cap on his upside.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
