This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are 12 games on a busy night in the National Hockey League, and setting lineups could be tricky as it is the eve of the trade deadline. We've already seen the trade winds blowing, and they are likely to pick up quite a bit Tuesday. We'll help you steer clear of the pitfalls, as non-contending teams with free agents-to-be could be peddling their wares to teams jockeying for playoff positioning. You'll want to avoid those situations at all costs. Let's get started.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. MIN ($28): Yes, it's a bit of a risky proposition using a goalie with a 2.79 GAA, especially against the second highest scoring team in the league at 3.38 goals per game. However, the Wild are dealing with the mumps, and both Zach Parise and Jason Pominville will be in quarantine while the Wild are battling the Jets. That's a huge chunk of their offense missing, and Hellebuyck's outlook isn't nearly as scary as if he were facing a full-strength Minnesota offense.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Calvin Pickard, COL at PHI ($34): Pickard has been playing pretty well lately, racking up 11.0 or more fantasy points at Yahoo! over the past four starts. However, he has just one win to show for his efforts during that stretch. Over his past seven appearances, the Avalanche offense has provided Pickard with just nine total goals (1.29 goals per game). He allowed four goals on 25 shots in a loss during the first meeting with the Flyers, back in Denver on Dec. 14. Colorado ranks dead last in goal differential, making their goaltender and most of their skaters unattractive from a fantasy perspective.
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CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. CAR ($17): Trocheck is a young centerpiece for Florida who isn't going anywhere at the trade deadline. He enters on a three-game scoreless streak so he is an excellent contrarian play, too. He only has one longer scoreless streak this season, so he is definitely due for a breakout performance. Toss in the fact Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward has a rather pedestrian 2.66 GAA, and even worse 2.96 GAA in 23 road starts, and Trocheck and the Florida offense could be due for a breakout performance.
CENTER TO AVOID
Auston Matthews, TOR at SAN ($28): Matthews certainly isn't on the move at the deadline or the fans would burn the city of Toronto down. But he is also overpriced in a game in which his team are decisive underdogs. The rookie has performed at nearly a point-per-game clip against Eastern Conference foes, racking up 22 goals and 37 points in 38 games. However, he has just eight goals and 17 points in 23 outings against Western Conference opponents.
WING
Nino Niederreiter, MIN at WPG ($19): If you're not buying into the Wild offense struggling Tuesday in a shorthanded situation due to the mumps, then you are going to want Niederreiter. He enters on a three-game point streak, and he has five goals and 10 points over his past nine games. That includes a two-goal explosion with a plus-3 rating to kick off the run in the most recent meeting with Winnipeg on Feb. 7. He takes plenty of shots and logs copious amounts of ice time on the power play. If anyone is going to pick up the slack offensively for the beleaguered Wild, it is going to be Niederreiter.
Wayne Simmonds, PHI vs. COL ($22): Simmonds has lit the lamp four times in the past seven games, although he has been blanked in each of the past two outings. However, there is no shame failing to score against the likes of the Capitals and Penguins, the Flyers' opponents in those two games. He'll get back on track against the Avalanche, the league's last place team in terms of goal differential. Simmonds scored a goal with a plus-2 rating in the first meeting against Denver back on Dec. 14.
WINGS TO AVOID
Cam Atkinson, CLM at MON ($29): Atkinson has had a very fine season, but the second most expensive winger on the board? Really? Yes, he scored a pair of goals in Sunday's game at the Rangers, but he is facing another difficult opponent in their own building Tuesday. Price and the Habs have struggled a bit lately, but he still has 17 victories in 28 home starts with a stellar 2.18 GAA. Look for the Blue Jackets to struggle in Tuesday's game at Bell Centre, and a poor plus-minus for Atkinson could be in the offing as well.
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. PIT ($27): Benn faces a very difficult opponent and the potential of a poor plus-minus rating on home ice. The Penguins have scored 29 goals over their past eight games, so it will be difficult for the Stars to keep pace. In addition, Benn could be a bit bummed out considering the fact the organization traded his brother Jordie to the Canadiens on Monday. A tough matchup and psychological reasons mean Benn is best left on the board.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. NAS ($22): Ristolainen has been a frequent DFS suggestion in this space because of his high rate of blocked shots and above average offense. Add in the fact he has a very manageable salary, and it's no wonder why he is so popular. Risto has racked up 37 points with 138 blocked shots through 62 games and his minus-6 rating isn't much of a deterrent. Expect him to be busy getting in the way of plenty of shots, too, as the Predators check in fifth in the NHL with 31.5 shots per contest.
Shea Weber, MON vs. CLM ($26): Weber is the second most expensive rearguard on the board, but he is a great value. He checks in ninth in the NHL with 129 blocked shots through 63 games, and he more than holds his own in the offensive categories. With blocks worth one point each, using Weber is like starting out with an automatic two points each time you roster him. He'll be busy sacrificing his body against a Columbus squad that takes 31.0 shots per game.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Karl Alzner, WAS at NYR ($16): Alzner is a light-scoring defenseman who is overpriced for this road outing against a good team. He hasn't scored a goal in 25 games, and his last time lighting the lamp on the road was back on Nov. 1. One only has to look to four games ago when Alzner was blanked in fantasy scoring in Madison Square Garden, posting one shot with one block and a minus-1 rating. He has zero points on the power play and should never be an option for DFS unless he is at home and facing a favorable opponent.
Zach Werenski, CLM at MON ($21): The first-year player out of the University of Michigan has been a tremendous story this season, and he has yet to hit the rookie wall. He has been much more productive at home, however, scoring seven of his nine goals at Nationwide Arena. Away from home he has just two markers in 28 outings. That's not to say he hasn't been productive, as he has plenty of power-play points, but facing a tough team on the road is not the place to use the rookie.
