This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL hasn't been very active in 2017. There were only three games Sunday, and the same goes for Monday. This includes the Winter Classic, which, as an outdoor game, comes with its own complications. However, with only three games on the day, you probably aren't going to be able to avoid Blackhawks and Blues entirely.
GOALIE
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. COL ($32): While Miller's numbers on the season may make you blanch (2.81 GAA), in his last two starts he's had a sub-2.00 GAA. The Canucks have won three in a row, while the Avalanche are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games. Colorado is also dead last in goals scored, so Miller should be able to put together a third good start in a row.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jake Allen, STL vs. CHI ($29): The Blackhawks haven't been as offensively potent as you might expect (their 2.72 goals per game ranks 14th in the league), but the talent is all still there. Allen has not excelled in his first year as St. Louis' undisputed starter, and through 29 games he only has a .903 save percentage. It's hard to bet on him getting the win against Chicago, and there have been goalies who have struggled with the environs of an outdoor game.
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CENTER
Frank Vatrano, BOS at NJD ($15): Vatrano has only been in action the last five games, but he's made the most of his limited action. With four points and 12 shots on goal, he's averaged 8.2 fantasy points per game. He's also already averaging 2:48 per game on the power play, which gives him added fantasy potential at a relatively cheap price.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jonathan Toews, CHI at STL ($20): Despite Allen's struggles in net, the Blues haven't been giving up goals by the bucketful because the team only cedes 27.7 shots per game and has the fourth-ranked penalty kill. Six of Toews' 18 points have come with the extra man, and those 18 points were already somewhat disappointing for a player of Toews' caliber (not to mention of his price point).
WING
Brad Marchand, BOS at NJD ($23): The days of Martin Brodeur ruling the Devils' crease are a distant memory, with the team giving up 3.03 goals and 31.8 shots per game this season. That bodes well for Marchand, who is playing a career-high 19 minutes per game. He's put 111 shots on net, but he only has 10 goals, giving him a shooting percentage well below his career average. Better luck could be around the corner.
Daniel Sedin, VAN vs. COL ($18): Colorado's offense is bad, but their defense isn't exactly holding their own either. The Avalanche also rank last in goals allowed per game at a whopping 3.36. Sedin has been on a bit of a cold streak, but he has 10 goals, and four on the power play. This is the kind of matchup that could help him break out of his funk, especially given Colorado's 25th-ranked penalty kill.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. CHI ($20): Schwartz is day-to-day with an illness, which is just one factor going against him. He only has two points in his last six games, and both came against Dallas, a team that is pretty easy to score on. Additionally, in six of his last seven games, he hasn't had more than one shot on goal. Chicago is only giving up 2.38 goals per game, so it's not a good spot for Schwartz to start turning things around, healthy or not.
Michael Cammalleri, NJD vs. BOS ($17): Taylor Hall could have chosen as well, but he's banged up and missed New Jersey's last game, so it seemed a little unnecessary to go with him here. Instead, let's go with him teammate. Tuukka Rask has a 1.92 GAA and a .929 save percentage, neither of which bode well for Cammalleri, who is averaging only 5.6 fantasy points per game.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. CHI ($19): Pietrangelo is playing more than 25 minutes per game, and he's been quite busy on both ends of the ice. In addition to putting 81 shots on goal in 36 games, he's also blocked 75 shots. Pietrangelo also has six power-play points, and he will be going up against Chicago's 28th-ranked penalty kill.
Troy Stecher, VAN vs. COL ($14): Stecher has been a big part of Vancouver's power play, as he's averaging 3:10 a night with the extra man. Colorado, as previously mentioned, ranks 25th on the penalty kill. Stecher has also put 74 shots on goal in 29 games, and the Avalanche are giving up 32.4 shots per game.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brent Seabrook, CHI at STL ($19): Both of Seabrook's goals, and 10 of his 21 points, have come on the power play, and the Blues have the fourth-ranked penalty kill. He also isn't putting a ton of shots on net, as he's only tallied 56 in 37 games. Throw in the volatility of an outdoor game, and Seabrook's price, and it all feels rather risky.
Joel Edmundson, STL vs. CHI ($14): After all the major names on the blue line going Monday, there is a dip in prices down to $14. There you will find Stecher, Zdeno Chara, Tyson Barrie, and Edmundson, who is averaging only 3.4 fantasy points per game, more than a full point less than any of those other players. As such, it seems odd to spend $14 on him, particularly against Chicago.
