This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's evening slate consists of eight games, all but two of which could hold heavy playoff implications. This is the time of the season for clutch veterans to step up and promising youngsters to make a name for themselves. Players that fit those two molds unsurprisingly make up the night's top value plays.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. MTL ($32) - Luongo's play has been up and down lately, but recent history suggests the veteran netminder is due for a bounce-back performance against Montreal. He stifled the Canadiens to the tune of 29 saves on 30 shots in their only previous meeting this season, and is likely to deliver another lucrative effort after rebounding from each of his last two single-digit fantasy point performances with at least 20.0 in his next outing.
Goalie to Avoid:
Joni Ortio, CGY at EDM ($35) - Ortio costs a hefty $35, even though he has emerged victorious just twice in seven road appearances this season. Even in a convenient matchup with the Oilers, Ortio's 5-9-4 record doesn't invoke much hope for a victory.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY at EDM ($23) - Monahan is closing the season on a high note, posting six goals and six assists in his last 10 games. The young center is unlikely to be contained by Edmonton's 26th-ranked defense, and his subpar plus/minus is unlikely to take a hit with the Flames facing one of the few teams in the NHL inferior to them. With his lone blemish likely a non-issue, Monahan should excel in Saturday's rivalry game.
Center to Avoid:
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. DET ($25) - While a couple of flashy performances jump out at you, a more holistic look at Kadri's recent performances reveals that he's only topped 7.0 fantasy points in three of his last 19 games. Consistent mediocrity with rare outbursts mixed in is not a formula worthy of a $25 investment.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR vs.BUF ($17) - Kreider is a known playoff performer, and he's starting to round into form with the postseason on the horizon. The speedy power forward has three goals in his last three games, and he's likely to contribute once again considering New York's prowess at home and Buffalo's poor road record. At just $17, there's not much risk investing in Kreider considering his penchant for stepping up this time of year.
Nick Foligno, CLS at CAR ($12) - The Columbus captain has dropped to the minimum price due to a recent slump, but his 107 points in 146 games over the last two seasons suggest the 28-year-old is bound to rebound sooner rather than later. A date with Carolina's below-average defense presents a terrific opportunity for Foligno to get back on track, and there won't be a better time to utilize him than now based on his valuation.
Wings to Avoid:
Ryan Callahan, TB vs. NJ ($16) - Callahan has been nothing short of awful over the last month, averaging just 2.0 fantasy points while failing to get on the scoresheet in 10 appearances since Feb. 29. Until he shows some signs of turning things around, the former Rangers captain belongs nowhere near fantasy lineups.
Sonny Milano, CLS at CAR ($14) - Milano could be a productive player one day, but the 19-year-old winger didn't seem ready for the NHL in tallying -1.0 fantasy points against the Islanders in his debut. There's not much reason to expect an improvement against the streaking Hurricanes.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB vs. NJ ($23) - Even a date with the slow-paced Devils is unlikely to slow Hedman's roll after the Swedish blueliner picked up two goals, five assists and a plus-7 rating in his last seven appearances. He's putting up huge numbers while seeing healthy minutes with a Lightning team fighting for first place in the Atlantic Division, and that is unlikely to change down the stretch given Hedman's history.
John Carlson, WAS at ARI ($23) - With 50.0 fantasy points over his last five road games, Carlson has been excelling away from home of late. He owns a well-rounded resume with 33 points and a plus-10 rating, giving the American defensemen a variety of ways to accrue fantasy points on the road against an Arizona team that rates well below his Capitals in every metric.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Mark Giordano, CGY at EDM ($29) - Giordano has been underwhelming considering his price, reaching double-digit fantasy points just once in his last seven games. Considering he scored just 2.0 fantasy points in his last trip to Edmonton, Calgary's captain doesn't seem poised for a breakout performance.
Casey Nelson, BUF at NYR ($20) - Nelson unsurprisingly came back down to earth with just 2.0 fantasy points against the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Expect more of the same from the overpriced young defenseman against a Rangers team that has played well at home.
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