This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday has only three games on the docket. Additionally, none of the matchups stand out as being particularly good for any of the teams playing. That may make picking players to avoid a little easier, but it does not help in terms of choosing players to target. Still, we've done our best to find some appealing options.
GOALIE
Thomas Greiss, NYI vs. VAN ($35): Greiss has not really impressed this season with a .908 save percentage, albeit in only five games. However, it was only last year when he had a .925 save percentage. Most importantly, Vancouver has lost eight games in a row, and they've only scored 20 goals in 12 games. You won't find a better matchup.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Ben Bishop, TAM at FLA ($34): It would be a mistake to completely write off Bishop just because he's started the year with a .904 save percentage. Nevertheless, he has struggled, and Florida isn't an easy matchup. At this price, it's not worth seeing if this is the night he turns it around.
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CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. TAM ($18): As noted just above, Bishop is off to a shaky start to the season. With so few games, that's enough to entice in daily fantasy. Trocheck has six goals on 34 shots in 12 games. He's a good bet at a decent price.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at BOS ($22): No disrespect to O'Reilly, who has eight points and 37 shots on goal in 11 games. However, he's the fourth-most expensive center on Monday, and he and his linemates will have to try and score on Tuukka Rask and his .932 save percentage. It's going to be hard for O'Reilly to earn his $22.
WING
Daniel Sedin, VAN at NYI ($19): Yes, the Canucks have a terrible offense, but not everybody on that team is a disaster. Greiss does have a .908 save percentage as mentioned, and Sedin has taken 35 shots on goal in 12 games. Vancouver has probably the best offensive matchup of anybody, so even if they can't seemingly score to save their lives Sedin should at least be busy.
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. VAN ($16): Vancouver isn't as bad at preventing goals as they are at scoring them, but Ryan Miller did let in six goals in his last start and also got ejected for jumping into a fight. The Islanders don't have very good wingers, but Nelson scored 26 goals last year and he has nine points this season. He's as good as any other wing for the Islanders.
WINGS TO AVOID
David Backes, BOS vs. BUF ($22): Backes, who got off to a good start, just returned from injury, and had no shots on goal in that game. The Sabres are fourth in the NHL in goals against. This is not a good matchup for Backes to try and reclaim his previous form.
Jaromir Jagr, FLA vs. TAM ($19): Jagr left Florida's last game with a groin injury and is considered day-to-day. Even if he can play, there's reason to be concerned about a 44-year-old dealing with an injury. Beyond that, Jagr only has one goal this season, and age has to catch up with him eventually.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. TAM ($17): Yandle hasn't scored a goal yet, but he's taken 37 shots, and he's playing 3:39 on the power play. He's getting his opportunities, and the goals will come. Plus, he has five assists, so it's not like he's been a total dud. On top of that, Tampa does have a good offense, which could maybe lead to a blocked shot or two potentially.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. VAN ($13): Leddy has been solid with five points and 22 shots on goal in 11 games. He doesn't have any power play points yet, but he's playing 3:15 a night with the extra man, so those will come in time. Perhaps that will happen tonight, as the Islanders should control this matchup. Leddy is cheap, and that makes him a potential bargain.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Torey Krug, BOS vs. BUF ($18): Krug is the third-most expensive blueliner available Monday. This despite the fact he only has one point, an assist, in 11 games. Now he has taken 35 shots on goal, so eventually his luck should turn around. However, given how his season has gone so far, and his price, it's best to try and avoid Krug.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at BOS ($22): Ristolainen is the most expensive defenseman on the docket Monday even though, like Krug, he has zero goals. On the other hand, he does have eight assists, and six of them have come on the power play. He's been good, but the matchup isn't great thanks to Rask, and it doesn't seem like a good investment to choose Ristolainen given his price.
