This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Four of the five worst teams in the National Hockey League take the ice Wednesday, and there are only three games on the schedule.
Philadelphia and Detroit battle in the only tilt with playoff implications, as each are trying to hold off each other and the Bruins. All three teams sit tied with 91 points for the season.
Here are your picks, values and fades for the lightly-scheduled night.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS at TOR ($27) - Bobrovsky has been awful of late and allowed three goals or more in seven of his eight starts since returning from injury with just two wins. Toronto has dropped three consecutive games, though, and Columbus is capable of winning and limiting Toronto. Should Joonas Korpisalo ($29) receive the start, he is worth the risk, too. Missing No. 1 center Nazem Kadri hurts the Maple Leafs.
Player to avoid:
Steve Mason, PHI at DET ($40) - Before allowing five goals in his last outing, Mason had allowed two goals or fewer in each of his past seven games with five wins, a .946 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average. The hefty cap hit requires another stellar outing with a win Wednesday. Both teams are in must-win spots, though, and Mason's salary is a cap crippler.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. VAN ($23) - His current two-game point drought was proceeded by a goal and nine helpers through his previous seven outings without a scoreless night. This cap hit is too low not to roll out the most talented player available. Plus, McDavid has 10 goals and 23 helpers through 30 games since returning from injury and 24 points through 23 home games this season.
Boone Jenner, CLS at TOR ($22) - There is always a plus/minus risk attached to any Blue Jacket skater, but Jenner has registered his first 30-goal campaign thanks to a strong finishing stretch, with six goals and three helpers over his past 10 outings. Expect Jenner to be scarcely owned, which makes him a strong tournament option.
Player to avoid:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. VAN ($17) - Returning from a concussion Saturday, Nugent-Hopkins played just 13:51 of ice time and posted a minus-2 rating. He could center Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall, which increases Nugent-Hopkin's upside, but the lean is to the No. 1 trio from Edmonton.
WING
Jordan Eberle, EDM vs. VAN ($20) - If you're rolling out McDavid, stacking him with his equally affordable linemate Eberle only makes sense. Eberle has three goals through his past five games and just shy of four shots per outing (19 total). The Canucks are ripe for a letdown showing following three impressive wins over the Sharks, Ducks and Kings.
Daniel Sedin, VAN at EDM ($18) - The veteran hasn't been a fantasy force of late, but he does have a goal and an assist through his past three games and lands in a favorable matchup Wednesday. Edmonton has allowed 13 goals during its three-game losing streak. This salary is in profit territory, and Sedin plays all the top offensive minutes for the Canucks.
Player to avoid:
P.A. Parenteau, TOR vs. CLS ($16) - Arguably the top offensive winger for Toronto, Parenteau has slumped to just a goal and an assist through his past seven games. There is potential with him flanking talented youngster William Nylander, and with Parenteau's role on the power play, but there is no floor given his recent form.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLS at TOR ($15) - With an assist in consecutive games and an average of 26:41 of ice (3:26 of power play time) through his past seven outings, Jones is an upside target at a reasonable cap hit. Toronto has also lost five of six games and allowed 11 goals during its three-game losing streak.
Player to avoid:
Radko Gudas, PHI at DET ($23) - After scoring three goals in five games, Gudas' salary climbed. Since then, he has a minus-2 rating with 15 shots and 14 blocked shots without a scoresheet appearance. This salary is far too high for a defenseman with 14 points through 72 games this season.
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