This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
While it is typically ill-advised to jump to conclusions about mismatches and winners, Tampa Bay, Washington and Los Angeles have slam-dunk matchups leading into the All-Star break.
The Lightning grab Toronto on the wrong end of back-to-back road games after the Maple Leafs were hammered 5-1 by Florida. Similarly, the Kings host Colorado in the same schedule situation, and San Jose lit up Colorado 6-1 on Tuesday.
The Capitals are pacing the league and are 18-3-1 at home this season, and they're well rested having been out of action since Tuesday, Jan. 19. Their opponent, Philadelphia, enters as losers of their past three outings.
Filling out your lineups with Bolts, Caps and royalty is highly recommended Wednesday.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. TOR ($26) - It hasn't been in spectacular form, but Vasilevskiy has won five consecutive games and draws an A+ matchup Wednesday to make it six straight victories. Toronto has lost eight of its last nine games and scored just 11 goals during the span. Even with Vasilevskiy likely being the highest-owned goalie, it is tough to fade him at this cap hit, and you can differentiate your lineup at other positions.
Goalie to avoid:
Karri Ramo, CGY vs. NSH ($36) - The Flames have won just two of their past eight games, and Ramo has only won three of his past nine starts. And while the Predators are on the wrong end of back-to-back road games, they've caught fire and won three straight away from home. Plus, after three seasons with Calgary, you know what you're spending for in Ramo, a lower-tier goalie with a .911 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average through 106 games. You can spend wiser.
CENTER
Tyler Johnson, TB vs. TOR ($19) - An offensive outburst has been pending for much of the season, as Johnson has been among the most disappointing fantasy players of the first half. He has five points and 19 shots over his past eight games, though, and paired with Nikita Kucherov, the duo is a high-upside, modest-priced stack. It is a nice matchup, too.
Center to avoid:
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. TOR ($27) - The inconsistency is near maddening, and with limited games on the schedule, targeting high-floor players is encouraged. At his salary, Stamkos needs to return a multi-point showing, which he has done in three of his past seven games. The issue is that he has averaged just 3.5 fantasy points oer game over the other four outings during the span. Center is deep enough to avoid the risk Wednesday.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. TOR ($25) - Rolling along a prolonged hot streak, Kucherov is up to 14 goals, 14 assists and 55 shots over his past 22 games and checks out as one of the most reliable and consistent fantasy options in the player pool Wednesday. Add the great matchup and his reasonable cap hit to the production, and Kucherov is a sound daily option.
Andre Burakovsky, WAS vs. PHI ($15) - Over his past five games on the second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams, Burakovsky has a goal and six helpers, including three multi-point showings. The Flyers have dropped three straight and allow 2.87 goals per game on the road this season. Burakovsky boasts upside and cap relief.
Wing to avoid:
Justin Williams, WAS vs. PHI ($25) - Perhaps even hotter than linemate Burakovsky, Williams is significantly more expensive. Why pay up for Williams when there is similar value in Burakovsky at a lower price? Especially because exposure to emerging superstar Kuznetsov is a big part of the appeal for both wingers.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. TOR ($23) - With 10 points, including two goals, 24 shots and 18 blocked shots in his past eight games, Hedman is rolling into the All-Star break. His peripheral statistics provide a nice floor for the offense to pile on, and as mentioned, Toronto is reeling in all facets, including allowing 30 goals over its last nine games.
Mattias Ekholm, NSH at CGY ($16) - Dating back to last season, Ekholm has consistently passed the eye test, and now, he is scorching hot with an extended role. The rearguard has rattled off 11 points, including four goals, in his last 13 games with an average of 21:14 minutes per night, and he contributes in the peripheral categories. Best of all, the cap hit is still within bargain territory.
Defenseman to avoid:
Shea Weber, NSH at CGY ($24) - Fading the veteran could prove disastrous, but at his cap hit you can load up more reliability and similar upside elsewhere. Weber is playing his fourth road game in seven nights and has returned a minus-14 rating on the road this season.
