This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's NHL slate offers plenty of variety with nine games on the schedule. The skidding Coyotes make for an exploitable opponent as usual, but the Islanders players facing them aren't the only strong value plays available.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, EDM at NJ ($35): Talbot has a great chance to notch his 20th win of the season against an inferior Devils team playing the second game of a back-to-back. New Jersey's impotent power play ranks 29th, and the 27th-ranked offense is barely any better at just 2.28 goals per game. Talbot is 5-1-2 with a 2.19 GAA over his past eight starts, so don't overthink this one and go with the hot goaltender in the strong matchup.
Goalie to Avoid
Chad Johnson, CGY vs. VAN ($35): Johnson and Brian Elliott have trended in opposite directions all season. While that relationship benefitted Johnson early on, he has now allowed 15 goals in dropping four straight while Elliott has won five consecutive contests and is making a push to reclaim the starting job. A matchup against Vancouver seems like a good opportunity to get back on track until you realize the Canucks have won five straight heading into this weekend's back-to-back.
CENTER
Robby Fabbri, STL vs. DAL ($16): Fabbri has rounded into form over the past month, notching six goals and eight assists in 13 games since Dec. 8. His strong recent play should continue against a Stars team that has surrendered 3.0 goals per game. Any time you can get someone who has been performing at a point-per-game pace for an extended period against a vulnerable opponent for just $16, it's too good a deal to pass up.
Center to Avoid
Dylan Larkin, DET at SJ ($18): Larkin has eclipsed 7.0 fantasy points just once in the past 12 games, averaging a mere 3.8 fantasy points per contest over that span. He remains overpriced at $18 despite those struggles, and things don't project to get any better against a Sharks team that has given up the fourth-fewest goals per game in the league.
WINGS
Anders Lee, NYI at ARI ($16): Lee has found tremendous success skating on the top line alongside John Tavares, potting 12 goals in his last 18 games. His scoring potential is tremendous for a $16 winger, especially against a sliding Coyotes team that has dropped eight straight and is allowing 3.24 goals per game this season.
J.T. Miller, NYR at CLS ($14): Miller has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating for an average of 13.0 fantasy points per game during his four-game point streak. Despite that recent success, the 2011 first-rounder remains priced at just $14. He has outperformed that valuation all season with 12 goals, 17 assists and a plus-10 rating, so using him Saturday makes sense even against a solid Blue Jackets team.
Wings to Avoid
Brad Marchand, BOS at FLA ($24): Marchand has gone 13 games without registering a positive rating, which is why he has only managed to hit double-digit fantasy points twice in that span. His recent lack of production makes it tough to justify spending $24 on the veteran against a Panthers team that's slightly better than average defensively.
James van Riemsdyk, TOR vs. MON ($20): Van Riemsdyk has just one goal in his past 11 games, and he is unlikely to add to that total against star Canadiens goalie Carey Price. Paying up $20 for the forward in this tough matchup makes little sense given his recent form.
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Niskanen, WAS at OTT ($14): Niskanen continues to outperform his $14 price on a consistent basis. He has averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game over his past 12, and is showing no signs of slowing down while continuing to skate on the second defensive pairing and second power-play unit. Until his price rises or his production declines, Niskanen makes for a solid play every time he's available.
Nick Leddy, NYI at ARI ($14): Leddy has been surprisingly effective on the power play, as his seven points on the man advantage are tied for second on the team. He has a golden opportunity to add to that production against Arizona's 28th-ranked penalty kill. Plus, his poor plus-minus isn't likely to be an issue against a struggling team that has dropped eight consecutive contests.
Defensemen to Avoid
Steve Santini, NJ vs. EDM ($18): Santini is overpriced after skating fewer than 15 minutes in each of his first two games this season. The 21-year-old needs to prove himself more before warranting an $18 investment against one of the league's better teams.
Esa Lindell, DAL at STL ($17): Lindell lacks offensive capabilities worthy of a $17 investment, as illustrated by his mere three points in the past 15 games. Meanwhile, Blues netminder Jake Allen has a spectacular 12-3-2 record and 2.13 GAA at home, further depressing Lindell's.
