This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's 12-game slate offers a multitude of players to choose from. Whether you're a believer in small-sample trends or prefer to pounce on underperforming stars while they're cheap, there are plenty of options available in both categories. Two of the six teams allowing at least 4.00 goals per game are off, but you still have Senators, Flyers, Flames and Blue Jackets available to exploit.
There are plenty of viable tactics to use with so many players in action, but the guys below should provide top-notch value regardless of your strategy:
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at NJ ($25): Dubnyk rebounded from a slow start with 31 saves in a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs in his previous outing, and he now gets to face a Devils team that's averaging a league-low 1.50 goals scored per game. New Jersey is still integrating some new faces on offense and is generating few five-on-five chances while prioritizing getting back on defense. The Wild starter is extremely discounted after stumbling out of the gate, but he looks to be in fine form now. This combination of price and matchup is unmatched, even in this extensive slate. If backup Darcy Kuemper gets the nod instead, he'd make for a fine play himself at just $1 more.
Goalie to Avoid
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. COL ($35): Luongo is trending in the opposite direction of Dubnyk, having given up four goals to the Capitals in his last start after starting off with a pair of wins. A rebound is far from guaranteed against an Avalanche team that has already proven capable of winning in the state of Florida with a road win over the Lightning on Thursday. With so many alternatives to choose from, there are plenty of more appealing options available under $35.
Travis Konecny, PHI vs. CAR ($14): Even with Brayden Schenn back from suspension, Konecny has maintained his role on the second line with Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek thanks to a strong start. The rookie has contributed four assists in four games and has the scoring chops to keep doing so after logging a monstrous 101 points in 60 OHL games last season. Look for him to continue chipping in offensively against a Carolina team that has given up 14 goals in four games.
Center to Avoid
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NYR ($21): Backstrom is off to a solid start with three assists through four games, but his upside continues to be capped on the second line. Skating with Andre Burakovsky and Marcus Johansson represents a significant downgrade from being paired with Alex Ovechkin on the top line, and the Swede's minutes have been cut to below 16:30 in each of the last two games. Playing limited minutes and skating with inferior linemates isn't the formula for success against countryman and star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
WINGS
Artturi Lehkonen, MON at BOS ($14): Lehkonen has fit right in on the second line with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Radulov, scoring twice in his first four NHL games. The Finnish winger has attempted at least two shots in every game (13 total) while also showing good defensive responsibility by finishing with no worse than a neutral rating in every game. His $14 price hasn't caught up to his play yet, but it's only a matter of time until it does.
Nikita Kucherov, TB at OTT ($24): Kucherov is off to a bit of a slow start with just two assists through four games, but he's likely to break out soon after topping 65 points in each of the past two seasons. The 23-year-old Russian has been more productive with each season, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him find the back of the net against a Senators team that's allowing four goals per game. Tampa Bay was shut out by the Avalanche in its last game Thursday, but the goals should flow more freely in this one.
Wings to Avoid
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. MON ($30): Marchand is off to a blazing start with nine points in four games, but it's fair to expect that pace to drop off in a hurry given that he has never scored more than 61 points in seven previous NHL seasons. That decline could well begin against star Canadiens netminder Carey Price, who looked no worse for the wear with 27 saves in his season debut Thursday as the Canadiens beat the Coyotes 5-2.
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. STL ($25): Gaudreau already has a minus-3 rating, which gives him a very low floor against a Blues team that's off to a 3-1-1 start. St. Louis is also limiting opponents to just 24.8 shots per game and should be able to cap Johnny Hockey's opportunities in this one. There are better ways to spend $25.
DEFENSEMEN
John Klingberg, DAL vs. CLS ($17): Klingberg is the top offensive blueliner for a Stars team that has massive scoring upside against the vulnerable Blue Jackets. He's coming off a 58-point sophomore season and has put up two assists in the last three games while skating over 22 minutes each time after being held off the scoresheet in 21:57 in the opener. Columbus will be playing the second game of a back-to-back, further enhancing the Swede's bang for the buck.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. COL ($18): This is the time to buy low on Ekblad. The 2014 first overall pick costs just $18 because he's yet to get on the score sheet, but he's simply been unlucky not to score while already attempting 13 shots through four games. His minus-1 rating is also unlikely to last since the 20-year-old blueliner was a plus-30 over his first two professional seasons. Ekblad's price may not get this low again once he gets going.
Defensemen to Avoid
Jake Muzzin, LA vs. VAN ($20): Muzzin is off to a terribly slow start, with no points and a minus-3 rating for a grand total of 6.0 fantasy points through four games. Things are unlikely to get any better against an undefeated Canucks team that has allowed just six goals in four games.
Dougie Hamilton, CGY vs. STL ($18): Hamilton is off to a slow start, so investing in him against a tough Blues team makes little sense. He has just one assist and a minus-2 rating through five games, while the Blues have held opponents to the fifth-fewest shots in the league while surrendering only 11 goals in five games. Even if you insist on using the Flames' blue line, there are better alternatives out there in Mark Giordano ($23) and Dennis Wideman ($14).
