This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's five-game NHL slate features a few potentially lopsided matchups primed for exploitation, especially with little more than bragging rights on the line for underdogs at this point in the season. Players from the four likely playoff rosters facing inferior competition are likely to dominate lineups, but it's important not to limit yourself exclusively to those players. Maximizing your lineup possibilities ensures all angles are covered, and the below value plays should help provide a well-rounded mix suitable for lineups in any type of DFS competition.
GOALIE
Thomas Greiss, NYI vs. TB ($30) - Many will immediately write off Greiss due to his less than ideal matchup against a talented Lightning team, but his tremendous play at the Barclays Center and Tampa Bay's recent offensive lull suggest the affordable netminder could be in line to outplay expectations. Greiss has been a brick wall at home this season with a 13-4-3 record and 2.16 GAA, while the Lightning have averaged a mere two goals per game in their last four and will be without elite center Steven Stamkos. While he got lit up in Tampa Bay recently, all signs point to a much better effort from the New York netminder this time around.
Goalie to Avoid:
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. LA ($33) - Those hoping for a repeat of Miller's Thursday victory over the Sharks are likely to be disappointed considering he preceded that result with losses in seven of eight. Expect a Kings team battling for first place in the Atlantic to return Miller and his Canucks to the loss column they've been in so frequently lately.
CENTER
Nick Bjugstad, FLA at TOR ($15) - Bjugstad was promoted to a top-six role in the wake of Vincent Trocheck's injury and quickly took advantage of the increased opportunity with an assist and eight shots Saturday against the Canadiens. He'll be rewarded with a goal before long if he maintains a similar level of aggressiveness, and a matchup with the cellar-dwelling Maple Leafs makes for a tremendous opportunity to reap the benefits of Bjugstad's promotion in the lineup without paying top dollar.
Center to Avoid:
Eric Staal, NYR at CLS ($16) - Outside of a random two-goal outburst against the Penguins, Staal has totaled just 9.0 fantasy points in six other appearances since March 15. Things just aren't clicking in a Rangers uniform for the longtime Carolina captain, and he doesn't belong in lineups against even the most generous of opponents.
WINGS
Tyler Toffoli, LA at VAN ($23) - With six assists and a plus-4 rating in his last four games, Toffoli continues to enhance his well-rounded profile. He is now tied for the NHL lead in plus/minus, and a date with a Canucks team limping to the finish line could allow Toffoli to take the lead outright while also reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time.
Chris Kreider, NYR at CLS ($18) - Kreider's Rangers have been scuffling recently, but the speedy power forward isn't to blame for their struggles. He's rounding into playoff form with three goals and two assists over the last four games, averaging a healthy 10.5 fantasy points per game in that span. A matchup with an atrocious Blue Jackets team presents the Rangers with a much-needed opportunity to get back on track, and Kreider's recent form suggests he'll be a leading figure for them if they do so.
Wing to Avoid:
Anthony Duclair, ARI at STL ($22) - Duclair's recent five-game point streak substantially raised his price, but the youngster's inability to earn consistent minutes suggested that production might be fool's gold. That indeed proved the case when he was held off the scoresheet while playing less than 13 minutes against the Capitals last time out, and the Blues bring a similarly tough defensive mentality to the table.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at CLS ($19) - McDonagh has managed to make an impact without getting on the scoresheet in three previous meetings with the Blue Jackets, posting 23.0 total fantasy points thanks to a robust plus-5 rating. He heads into this meeting with assists in back-to-back contests and could well extend his point streak to three against Columbus' 29th-ranked defense. McDonagh's momentum, matchup and ability to accrue value in a variety of ways make him a strong investment at his sub-$20 valuation.
Jason Garrison, TB at NYI ($14) - Garrison turned in a masterful performance in his last meeting with the Islanders on March 25, connecting on a goal and two helpers for a season-high 22.0 fantasy points. With his price at just $14, it's worth taking a shot on Garrison incase lightning strikes twice for the Tampa Bay blue liner.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at STL ($21) - Ekman-Larsson's value stems from his strong offensive instincts, but he's unlikely to break through against the defensively stellar Blues. Their third-ranked penalty kill is likely to stifle the Swede's power-play production, thus making it an uphill climb for him to live up to his $21 price.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. TB ($21) - It's unsurprisingly been 12 games since Leddy's last double-digit fantasy point effort, as he simply doesn't possess the skills to consistently deliver top-notch performances. His five goals show that Leddy isn't an outstanding offensive contributor, while a minus-12 mark demonstrates that he's no defensive stalwart, either. What's left is an overpriced average defenseman who belongs nowhere near lineups against a dangerous Lightning squad.
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