This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are 12 games on the NHL schedule Tuesday. At Yahoo, it's always worth scrolling all the way through the player pool because some solid players can be found at -- or near -- minimum price. With that said, here are some targets, fades and values to consider when assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLM vs. DAL ($31): Since allowing five goals in the first game of the season, Bobrovsky has posted a sterling .954 save percentage and 1.51 GAA over his past six starts. Dallas is missing four middle-line players from last season, and the Stars currently sport a 26th-ranked 2.25 goals per game. Plus, the Blue Jackets are sneaky deep and Bobrovsky has a Vezina Trophy on his mantle. Expect him to have low ownership despite checking in as an excellent option at a reasonable salary.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Pekka Rinne, NAS at COL ($34): The 33-year-old goalie showed poorly last season with a .908 save percentage, and has kicked off 2016-17 in a similar fashion. It's been worse of late, as Rinne has allowed 14 goals over his past four outings (3.86 GAA) with a .892 save percentage. Colorado brings a middle-of-the-pack offense (2.71 goals per game) to the table, but investing in Rinne is risky given the deep goalie pool and his extended poor form.
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CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NAS at COL ($18): A three-game road trip through California has the Predators searching for answers, and Johansen is now mired in a scoring drought through his past five outings that has depressed his salary. While the 24-year-old pivot has been streaky in the past, he's also posted three consecutive 60-point seasons. At this price tag, chasing his multi-point upside doesn't carry a lot of risk.
CENTER TO AVOID
John Tavares, NYI vs. TB ($27): While usually matchup proof, Tavares has seen a linemate carousel for most of the season and posted just a single multi-point game. Additionally, he's missed the score sheet in four outings. Even with Tampa Bay allowing 3.22 goals per game (eighth most in the league), the Lightning can batten down the hatches against anyone.
WING
James Neal, NAS at COL ($19): After failing to score through his first seven games and 27 shots of the season, Neal found the back of the net Saturday. He's averaging 3.75 shots and 19:57 of ice time per game this year, including 3:07 with the man advantage. The offense is coming, as Neal has scored 20 goals in each of his eight seasons in the league.
Nick Ritchie, ANA at LAK ($14): With 16 shots and two goals through his past five games, Ritchie is starting to show flashes of upside playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The rookie is averaging 15:38 of ice time per night, and his role and shot volume should make his a low-risk option to return value while presenting cap relief. Also, since taking over the crease for the Kings, Peter Budaj owns a mediocre .910 save percentage.
WINGERS TO AVOID
Patrik Laine, WPG vs. WAS ($28): Rookies are typically inconsistent and thus far, Laine has five pointless games and three multi-point showings. A date with the Capitals is not ideal for fantasy purposes, as after a bit of a seesaw start, Washington has stymied consecutive opponents, allowing just three goals over its past two games. Small sample size, sure, but the Caps appear to be settling back into their 2015-16 form when they allowed just 2.33 goals per game.
Alexander Steen, STL at NYR ($21): The Rangers are tied with the second-highest goal differential in the league, and Steen has missed the score sheet in each of the past three games. He's settled into a defense-first role with Jaden Schwartz back in the lineup, and Steen consistently plays against the opposition's top line. The 32-year-old winger will likely struggle to return value in the daunting road matchup.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR at OTT ($17): Dating back to 2014-15, Faulk ranks seventh in shots per 60 minutes (7.05) and 21st in points per 60 minutes (1.45) among defenseman with at least 2,500 minutes of ice time. With Ottawa allowing 3.13 goals per game to start the year, he's also underpriced in a soft matchup Tuesday. Plus, Faulk doesn't shy away from blocking shots.
Mathew Dumba, MIN vs. BUF ($14): Lock Dumba into your lineups with a cushy matchup against the Sabres, given his steady production since being handed a larger role. Through his past six games, he has three helpers and a plus-5 rating with 12 shots on net while averaging 24:39 of ice per night (2:47 with the man advantage). The only concern is that Buffalo typically plays low-scoring games, but Dumba's salary offers plenty of cap relief.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Mark Giordano, CGY at CHI ($24): Last time out, Giordano spent the majority of his ice time matched up against Alex Ovechkin. On Tuesday, the blueliner will likely be tasked with Patrick Kane. At the price, there isn't a lot of upside. The Blackhawks owns a league-worst penalty kill (53.1 percent), which is a potential means for Giordano to hit value, but relying on that production is risky.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at MIN ($22): Six of Ristolainen's seven points this season are of the power-play variety, and Minnesota owns a league-best 96.2 percent on the penalty kill. Additionally, the Wild have been stout defensively all year and have allowed just 2.11 goals per game. Ristolainen is a risk to return a minus rating, and there are more secure options around -- and below -- his price range.
