This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It is a busy night in the National Hockey League on Tuesday. Typically, on fully-scheduled nights, you'll want to spread your wealth across a few favorable matchups and pluck as much value as possible to beef up your lineup.
The Blackhawks grab Arizona on the second leg of consecutive road games, while Pittsburgh has hit their stride with wins in 12 of their past 13 contests and visit the injury-plagued Senators.
Additionally, Anaheim and Nashville have been strong home clubs and host inferior opponents, Winnipeg and Colorado, respectively.
Here is your stock report with picks, values and pans for the Tuesday slate.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT at OTT ($36) - The Penguins are peaking with wins in 12 of their past 13 games and a plus-29 goal differential. Murray has done his part, too. The rookie netminder has four wins during the span with a .932 save percentage and a 1.96 goals against average, including back-to-back victories over the Islanders on Saturday and the Flyers on Sunday. The Senators are also riddled with injuries and averaging just 2.33 goals per game over their past six outings.
Player to avoid:
Semyon Varlamov, COL at NSH ($36) - The Avalanche needed Varlamov at his best for any chance of a playoff berth, but he has struggled to a single win through his past six starts with a .910 save percentage and a 3.48 goals against average. Nashville has also scored 35 goals (3.88 per game) through its past nine home contests, which checks out as a daunting matchup for Varlamov.
CENTER
Nick Bjugstad, FLA at MON ($17) - With a goal Monday, Bjugstad improved his recent run to four goals and five assists through his past 12 games. He also has 35 shots during the span and is reasserting himself in a top-six role. Montreal has also allowed at least three goals in seven of its past eight outings, including losing 4-3 to Florida on Saturday. Bjugstad had eight shots in that outing, too.
Player to avoid:
Anze Kopitar, LA at CGY ($26) - Be wary of spending up for Kopitar on Tuesday. The pivot has been skating primarily with Tanner Pearson and Kris Versteeg of late, and the two wingers aren't reliable offensive contributors. The even strength colleagues help explain Kopitar's weak returns of late, as the pivot has just one goal, two helpers, six shots and a single even strength point over his past seven games.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. TB ($18) - The power forward is gaining momentum leading into the playoffs with four goals and three helpers through his past five games, including 12 shots and two power play goals. The Lightning are without key cogs Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman and allowed five goals to the Islanders on Monday. Kreider offers nice cap relief with oodles of upside Tuesday.
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. ARI ($18) - With three goals and five assists through his past two games, it appears Panarin has kicked the late-season slump that was dragging his cap hit down. Arizona also enters the game playing its second road game in consecutive nights.
Player to avoid:
Rick Nash, NYR vs. TB ($20) - The veteran is struggling to contribute offensively with just three goals through 12 games since returning from injury, and he has only 16 shots on net over his past nine outings. Plus, Nash isn't receiving significant power play time with just 12 seconds and 45 seconds in his past two outings.
DEFENSE
Zach Bogosian, BUF at NJ ($18) - With a goal and three assists during his three-game point streak, Bogosian is heating back up. He has returned six goals and nine helpers with a plus-8 rating, 54 shots and 40 blocked shots through his past 20 games. The high floor and reasonable cap hit make Bogosian an excellent option Tuesday.
Justin Schultz, PIT at OTT ($14) - With a plus-4 rating and four assists during his active three-game point streak, Schultz is capitalizing on a second life with the Penguins. He has been starting 60.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone to minimize his defensive deficiencies, and it has clearly helped in the plus/minus column. Schultz owns a plus-10 rating through 15 games with the Penguins.
Player to avoid:
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. PIT ($27) - It is a tough spot to justify spending up for Karlsson on Tuesday. As noted, Pittsburgh is rolling, and Karlson has missed the scoresheet in 11 of his past 20 games. He does have a respectable four goals and 10 helpers during the span with a healthy 62 shots and 47 blocked shots, but his minus-4 rating is in major danger of climbing higher Tuesday.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
