This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Eight games dot the National Hockey League schedule Tuesday with the Islanders-Penguins and Kings-Stars contests leading the pack.
Additionally, the Bruins-Sharks tilt has appeal as the two clubs have made a number of significant trades over the years. The Red Wings-Flyers game will also have a postseason atmosphere with a potential four-point swing in play to boost each team's playoff push.
The Maple Leafs, Canadiens and Senators all host playoff-bound clubs, and stand as favorable matchups for the Lightning, Panthers and Wild, respectively. The Capitals also have a solid home matchup and should handle the Hurricanes.
Here are your daily starts, values and fades across the various price points.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. CAR ($37) - Holtby has been underwhelming of late with three goals allowed in eight of his past 13 games and a .898 save percentage during the span. He has still won eight of the outings, though, and the matchup is juicy Tuesday. Carolina has averaged just 2.29 goals per road game, and Holtby is 22-3-1 at home with a .924 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average.
James Reimer, SJ vs. BOS ($26) - Among starters with at least 20 games, Reimer is third in the league in five-on-five save percentage (.941), and he stood behind the basement-dwelling Maple Leafs for all but two starts. Boston is also an admirable road opponent, as the Bruins have gone 23-7-3 for the year, but have scored just 13 goals through their past six road contests. Reimer's cap hit has huge profit upside built in.
Player to avoid:
Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT vs. NYI ($39) - The Islanders posted a statement win Monday over the Panthers, and the depth New York brings should push the top-heavy Penguins. In half of Fleury's past 22 starts, he has allowed three goals or more, and he is just 4-4-1 with 25 goals allowed against the Islanders over the past four seasons. Fleury is priced above Holtby, and in a tougher matchup, so take the savings and run.
CENTER
Steven Stamkos, TB at TOR ($22) - Look for Stamkos to stay hot following his three-point outburst Sunday. The outing broke a four-game point drought, but don't forget, Stamkos was good for 30 points including 18 goals through his previous 32 games with 101 shots on net. He is rounding into form and heading into the playoffs with momentum. This is a manageable salary, and Toronto has allowed at least three goals in 13 of its past 18 games.
Player to avoid:
Brayden Schenn, PHI vs. DET ($29) - Be wary of spending up for Schenn on Tuesday. Following consecutive 40-point campaigns, he is finally in the midst of his true breakout, but at this high a price, there is no room for error. The Red Wings are a middling matchup, but Schenn needs a multi-point showing to even sniff returning value. During his current eight-goal, eight-assist run, he still has four games with a bagel or a negative return at Yahoo.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at MON ($21) - With two goals and five assists through four games since returning from injury, Huberdeau is continuing his breakout campaign. The Canadiens have allowed 25 goals through their past seven games, and the top line for the Panthers presents a matchup nightmare for the injury-riddled Canadiens, who have four defensemen on the injury report.
Kris Versteeg, LA at DAL ($12) - There is a plus/minus risk here given the high-octane Dallas offense. However, Versteeg is now skating on Anze Kopitar's flank, and the winger scored and added a helper against the Blackhawks on Monday. At minimum price, Versteeg is a valuable source of cap relief with limited risk given the cost of admission.
Player to avoid:
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. NYI ($27) - Evgeni Malkin's injury derails Kessel's fantasy value, and currently, Kessel is off the No. 1 power-play unit and skating with Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin. Simply put, it isn't good enough company to warrant the hefty investment, especially when Kessel is in the midst of a five-game goal drought. Don't pay up for the shot volume.
DEFENSE
Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. CAR ($18) - With John Carlson on the shelf, Niskanen continues to pad the stat sheet and fill in admirably. Niskanen has five points through his past nine games with 16 shots, 13 blocked shots and an average of 25:26 minutes, including 3:06 power-play time. Additionally, Niskanen has consistently stepped up when needed over the past three seasons for both Kris Letang and Carlson.
Alex Goligoski, DAL vs. LA ($18) - Another injury fill-in, Goligoski has stepped up nicely with three assists through his past two games and eight helpers through his past seven outings. His peripheral coverage is also attractive, as Goligoski has 12 shots and 17 blocked shots through his latest seven games. This is a positive matchup for Dallas, too, so expect a solid outing from their top players.
Player to avoid:
Drew Doughty, LA at DAL ($26) - The Kings are in a tough spot on the schedule, playing their second road game in consecutive nights against Chicago and Dallas. Dating back to the beginning of February, Doughty has averaged 28:59 minutes per night, which stands as a warning against the offensively capable Stars. With 18 points, a plus-5 rating, 44 shots and 29 blocked shots through his past 21 games, Doughty's upside is clear. It just may be difficult to reach value in a tough matchup and back-to-back road setting.
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