This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Every player remaining in the chase for the Stanley Cup is a lineup option in this four-game NHL slate, as it combines Monday's Capitals-Penguins showdown with Tuesday's three contests to include all eight teams. It's important to take advantage of the added flexibility granted by this situation, as this opportunity may not present itself for the rest of the postseason.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. SJ ($32) - While owners were surely disappointed, Rinne was by no means the culprit in Nashville's back-to-back road losses at San Jose, surrendering five goals in two games. The results of those two contests have lowered the Finnish netminder's price to a highly affordable $32, making him a strong value pick for Game 3 back at Bridgestone Arena. Rinne's home GAA this season (2.29) was significantly more impressive than his 2.73 mark on the road, so it's fair to expect a much stronger performance out of him now that the series has shifted to Nashville.
Goalie to Avoid:
Braden Holtby, WAS at PIT ($40) - Pittsburgh outshot Washington in each of their first two meetings, which bodes well for Holtby's save total, but puts him at risk of surrendering more goals and coming away winless. If that trend continues with the Penguins now holding home ice advantage, the night's most expensive goaltender is far from a safe play.
CENTER
David Backes, STL vs. DAL ($18) - Backes came alive in Game 2, registering the overtime winner along with an assist for his first points in four games. St. Louis' captain remains just their fourth-most expensive forward despite that breakout performance, but he has a strong chance of staying hot considering 13 of his 21 regular-season goals came at the Scottrade Center. The Stars have allowed at least four goals in four of their last six games, so it's a good idea to fill your lineup with affordable yet offensively-gifted Blues.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. WAS ($30) - A series that was hyped to be all about Crosby vs. Ovechkin has been about the players around them thus far, as neither star has made much of an impact. Crosby has totaled zero fantasy points through two games, and it seems the Capitals have found a formula for containing the center after limiting him to just one goal in five regular-season meetings, too.
WINGS
James Neal, NSH vs. SJ ($21) - Neal has had his fair share of struggles this postseason, but he did come up with a clutch goal and an assist while totaling 18.0 fantasy points in his last home game. The 31-goal scorer will rarely if ever be available at this much of a discount, so rolling the dice on him at this price could prove to be a brilliant strategy, especially since he found some regular-season success against the Sharks with a goal and an assist in three meetings.
Ondrej Palat, TB at NYI ($18) - Palat has gotten off to a strong start this series, following up his 11.0 fantasy points in Game 1 with 12.0 in Game 2. He's firmly entrenched in a top-six role against a team that lacks top-end defensive blueliners, so there isn't much preventing the affordable winger from continuing to find success in this matchup. Keep riding him until a drop-off in production and/or a price hike suggests otherwise.
Wings to Avoid:
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. DAL ($29) - Tarasenko has hit an offensive rut at an inopportune time, tallying just a single goal and 17.0 fantasy points over his last five games combined. The talented Russian could break out at any time, but the fact that he hasn't topped three shots on goal in any of his last four appearances raises questions about his ability to live up to his hefty $29 price.
Jonathan Drouin, TB at NYI ($22) - Drouin has been productive against the Islanders thus far, but there's a reason he's yet to see 15 minutes in a game this series despite his offensive aptitude. The young forward has glaring defensive holes in his game, and New York is primed to exploit them with the advantage of last change in Game 3.
DEFENSEMEN
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. DAL ($26) - As was mentioned in the David Backes section, the Stars have had trouble keeping the puck out of their net recently. Shattenkirk specializes in offensive production from the blue line, so a repeat of Sunday's high-scoring Game 2 would play right into his hands. He came up with a pair of assists in that contest, and should be primed for another double-digit fantasy point game against a Dallas team full of uncertainty on the back end and in net.
Victor Hedman, TB at NYI ($24) - Hedman continued his success against the Islanders with a goal and an assist in Game 2, giving him three goals and two assists in his last four outings against New York. The Swedish blueliner has found his offensive groove in Round 2 after enduring a tough opening round, and he already has three points and nine shots through two games this series. Judging by his astronomical playing time, Hedman will continue to get every opportunity to expand on those totals.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Trevor Daley, PIT vs. WAS ($16) - Daley hasn't been productive against the Capitals, going minus-2 without a point through two games. The possibility of extra ice time in the wake of Olli Maatta's injury will send owners flocking Daley's way, but his play suggests the veteran defenseman won't do much with the increased role.
