This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are only three contests tonight, but there's plenty of offense to go around, as Colorado, Washington and Boston all rank in the top five in terms of goals per game. All three of those teams also have stout goaltending, so be meticulous when setting your DFS lineup. The first puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET. Read on for tips and tricks to help navigate the light slate.
GOALIE
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. PHI ($28): Grubauer should be ready to come back from a minor hamstring issue, and he was excellent in three starts preceding the injury, posting a .943 save percentage and winning each decision. The Flyers are heating up right now, but they've struggled on the road this year with just 2.57 goals per game -- 21st in the league.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Tuukka Rask, BOS at WAS ($34): Rask is in a bit of a funk, as he's lost his last two games and yielded an .877 save percentage in the process despite facing two of the lower-scoring teams -- Chicago and Ottawa. Washington, on the other hand, is on a tear with wins in six of its last seven games, averaging 3.7 goals per contest in that span.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. BOS ($23): Backstrom didn't miss a beat after returning from an eight-game hiatus due to an upper-body injury, ringing up two points in Monday's loss to the Blue Jackets. Before his absence, Backstrom racked up five goals and six assists over 12 home games, and he's enjoyed success against Boston in his career with 41 points over 38 contests.
CENTER TO AVOID
David Krejci, BOS at WAS ($23): Krejci doesn't have the luxury of working on the top unit now that Patrice Bergeron is back, and he's posted a negative fantasy value in two of the last three games. The Caps have been one of the stingiest defensive teams since the start of November, recording 2.37 GA/60, per Natural Stat Trick, so Krejci looks overpriced tonight.
WINGS
Anthony Duclair, OTT at MON ($18): Duclair continues to log top-six minutes, and his shot volume creates a sturdy foundation. The 24-year-old has posted at least three shots on net in 11 straight games, and he's finally connecting with five goals over the last three. Considering the Habs will likely roll out in backup Cayden Primeau, Duclair's in a prime position to keep things rolling.
Joonas Donskoi, COL vs. PHI ($17): Donskoi keeps roaring on the top line, compiling four goals and five assists -- all at even strength -- over the past five contests. Philly has shown vulnerability on the road this year with 3.29 GA/60, so Donskoi flys in at a low price with plenty of upside.
WINGS TO AVOID
Oskar Lindblom, PHI at COL ($18): Lindblom has been streaky this year, and he has gone pointless in eight of the last 10 games. He draws a difficult matchup against the Avalanche, who have registered 2.07 GA/60 over the last three weeks.
Charlie Coyle, BOS at WAS ($16): Since receiving his new contract, Coyle has failed to surpass one shot on net and finishing in the minus in four of six games. He's been bumped to the third line as well now that Bergeron is back, and a contest against Washington's stout crease lowers his ceiling.
DEFENSE
Shea Weber, MON vs. OTT ($23): Weber's been inking up the scoresheet since the start of November, accruing eight goals and as many assists over 18 games. His floor is the main selling point, though, as he's combined for 101 shots and blocked shots in addition to a plus-8 rating during that stretch.
Ryan Graves, COL vs. PHI ($18): Graves leads the league with a plus-22 rating, and he's put up 47 shots and 66 blocked shots through 29 games. With Cale Makar still on the shelf, Graves could see increased ice time, building off six points over the last seven outings.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Ben Chiarot, MON vs. OTT ($18): Chiarot rides an eight-game pointless streak into this contest despite logging major minutes on the top pairing. For a blueliner in the top-five price range, he should be avoided at all costs even against Ottawa's middling goaltending tandem.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at WAS ($16): McAvoy's not a typical goal scorer, but it's troubling that he hasn't lit the lamp this season and we're already in December. Considering he's averaging the lowest Corsi For percentage of his career (50.4), it's not as surprising, but he's finished below 3.0 fantasy points in four of his last six contests.
