This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It was quite the night in the National Hockey League: Sidney Crosby registered a natural hat trick and Connor McDavid returned from a lengthy layoff with a three-point night.
There won't be as many storylines Wednesday, with just three games on the schedule, and especially with a pair of lackluster matchups.
Nonetheless, the small slates can lead to huge scores in the daily racket. Here are your values and busts Wednesday. Going against Vegas with a few Sabres is a potential means of differentiating lineups, and while risky, Montreal has been a basement dweller for the past two months.
GOALIE
Robin Lehner, BUF at MON ($33) - Montreal has been awful for an extended stretch, and while no one should confuse the Sabres as a bully, they likely shouldn't be underdogs in this tilt, either. Montreal could easily take home the victory, but Lehner has been strong in his limited action this season, posting a .936 save percentage and 2.26 goals-against average. And he is cheap. Given the recent form of each offense, the nod goes to Buffalo and Lehner, though he is far from a safe undertaking as your No. 2 goalie.
Goalie to avoid:
Karri Ramo, CGY vs. CAR ($34) - With just five wins through his past 14 games and a mediocre .914 save percentage, Ramo continues to underwhelm. He allowed five goals to the Hurricanes recently, and Carolina lit up Chicago for five goals in its latest game. Calgary has struggled defensively all year and has allowed exactly 3.0 goals per game, which makes Ramo a huge risk in goal and nothing more than a No. 2 goalie filer in plus-matchups.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF at MON ($24) - Expect Eichel to carry a low ownership Wednesday, as his price has climbed, and he is more expensive than a trio of Red Wings who carry more name value. Eichel has been on an extended hot streak, though, with 20 points -- seven goals and 13 assists -- over his past 18 games with 49 shots on net. With the Canadiens allowing 4.0 goals per game through the five outings before the break, it is a great matchup, too.
Center to avoid:
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. DET ($28) - As the most expensive skater in the player pool, it is difficult to spend up for Stamkos with confidence, as he has missed the score sheet in six of his past 13 games. Of course, there is multi-point upside, but Detroit, and especially red-hot Petr Mrazek ($42), are an unfavorable matchup. Just twice over its past 10 games has Detroit allowed more than two goals in a game.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. CAR ($27) - The home/road splits are unkind to Gaudreau, but this game is in Cowtown. At home, Gaudreau has 17 goals, 17 assists and a plus-17 rating through 24 games. Carolina isn't a doormat opponent, but with limited options available, Gaudreau's home-ice dominance is tough to ignore.
Jeff Skinner, CAR at CGY ($16) - Talented and streaky, Skinner's inconsistency keeps his price in profit territory. He has a goal, two assists and 10 shots in his past two games, and this is a plus-matchup. Rarely will you find a two-time, 30-goal scorer in this price range.
Wing to avoid:
Max Pacioretty, MON vs. BUF ($25) - This price is clinging to past success, and Pacioretty has no business being priced as a high-end asset. He has just 11 points -- six goals -- over his past 25 games and a minus-15 rating. The only plus is the high shot volume, but you get value from appearances on the score sheet, not shots on net.
DEFENSEMEN
P.K. Subban, MON vs. BUF ($24) - It is never advised to start a skater against one of your goalies, but a potential exception could be made for Subban. If you're avoiding Lehner, Subban is a must-start rearguard. He has been a lone bright spot for Montreal with 14 points and 41 shots on net in his past 14 games.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at MON ($14) - Tied for 10th in scoring among blue liners, Ristolainen is an emerging star. Sure, his current form is weak, but he stuffs the peripheral categories (2.36 shots and 1.54 shot blocks per game) and plays all the right offensive minutes. There is a plus/minus risk most nights, but if you're looking to stack a few Sabres, he carries the best value-upside combo.
Defenseman to avoid:
Victor Hedman, TB vs. DET ($23) - This is purely a matchup fade. As noted, Detroit is stingy, and these two teams battling it out in a low-scoring, low-event bout is a concern. At the cap hit, it takes a lot to return value, and there might not be enough opportunities for Hedman to do so Wednesday.
