This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's four-game NHL slate promises to be exciting despite its modest size. A battle of the birds between the soaring Ducks and streaking Penguins should offer plenty of high-flying options, though top-end teams like the Panthers, Rangers and Lightning are rarely short on viable DFS commodities themselves. Whether you emphasize momentum, opponent or some other factor, the players below all rise above the competition as the night's top value plays.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANH at PIT ($34) - Gibson has played a major role in Anaheim's 13-3-1 surge since the NHL's Christmas break, picking up eight wins in that span. The NHL's GAA leader is showing no sign of slowing, and he's only becoming more valuable now that the Ducks are scoring in front of him. Don't let a matchup with a hot Penguins team scare you, as Gibson has maintained an elite level all season regardless of opponent.
Goalie to Avoid:
Petr Mrazek, DET vs. FLA ($42) - Mrazek is a solid goaltender, but it's tough to justify paying $42 for him against the division-leading Panthers. He lost his only start against them this season, and it's incredibly tough to accrue adequate value without picking up the 6.0 fantasy points that come with a win.
CENTER
J.T. Miller, NYR vs. NJ ($22) - Miller has seven goals in his last seven games, including two against the Devils last Tuesday. The versatile forward is seeing more minutes now that he's finally flashing the offensive prowess that made him a first-round selection in 2011, putting him in a good position to keep scoring. Miller's strong two-way play and plus/minus contributions give him a solid floor, but it's his high ceiling that makes him such a worthwhile play at $22.
Center to Avoid:
Vladislav Namestnikov, TB at OTT ($17) - With so many players at his position playing well, Namestnikov isn't a very appealing option after averaging just 3.6 fantasy points per game over his last five. Don't get cute and base your selection completely on matchup when many other indicators are pointing in a different direction.
WING
Jakob Silfverberg, ANH at PIT ($20) - Don't let Silfverberg's meager season-long stats fool you, as he's been producing at a point-per-game pace over his last 11 appearances. For all their recent success, the Penguins have still given up 25 goals in their last seven games, and the Swede is in prime position to take advantage of their defensive vulnerability for a reasonable price.
Jaromir Jagr, FLA at DET ($18) - Jagr looks refreshed following his reluctant trip to Nashville for the All-Star Game, with four points and 30.0 fantasy points in three games since returning to meaningful NHL action. The 43-year-old winger continues to defy Father Time with 16 goals, 21 assists and a plus-11 rating through 49 appearances, and there's a good chance he'll make No. 50 special against a Detroit team that he has dominated with three points in two meetings this season.
Wing to Avoid:
Mike Hoffman, OTT vs. TB ($20) - Hoffman has struggled recently with just five points in his last 10 games. Tampa Bay's seventh-ranked defense figures to make it difficult for the talented winger to rebound, so leave him on the bench until he heats up or at least finds himself in a more favorable matchup.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, NYR vs. NJ ($17) - Yandle played 27:33 in Saturday's win over the Flyers after Ryan McDonagh was forced to exit early after taking a Wayne Simmonds sucker punch. He should be in line for another major role if McDonagh isn't ready to return, but Yandle's two goals and three assists over the last seven games show that the veteran blueliner can be effective regardless of who else is in the lineup. At just $17, the offensively-gifted defenseman is a bargain regardless of McDonagh's status.
Victor Hedman, TB at OTT ($24) - Hedman is averaging 10.9 fantasy points per game over his last 11, and now gets to face the worst defensive team in the NHL. Many Lightning players could be in for a productive night against the sliding Senators, but Hedman is as good a bet as any to deliver strong fantasy production Monday due to his high ice time and well-rounded game.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Anton Stralman, TB at OTT ($21) - Stralman's price is inflated due to his two-goal game against the Penguins, but the Swede's failure to reach double-digit fantasy points in any of his previous eight games indicates he will struggle to live up to his new valuation. Even against the poor Senators defense, there are higher-percentage options.
Dan Girardi, NYR vs. NJ ($15) - Shot-blocking is Girardi's specialty, but that skill doesn't hold much value against a Devils team that ranks last in the NHL in shots on goal. His 3.0-fantasy point effort against them last Tuesday is indicative of the kind of game that should be expected from the veteran defenseman in their rematch.
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