This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's nine-game evening slate offers plenty of intriguing fantasy options. Bruins players facing the last-place Blue Jackets make for logical lineup choices, but there are still diamonds in the rough to be found even from bleak-seeming situations like the Devils-Jets duel pitting the night's two most expensive goaltenders against each other. For one reason or another, all of the players listed below have a strong shot at delivering excellent returns on their current prices.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. CLS ($35) - Rask has rebounded from a five-game losing streak by winning two of his last three starts, and he has a good chance of continuing that momentum against the worst team in the NHL. His prior struggles dropped the 2014 Vezina Trophy winner's price to $35, making him an obvious choice due to his combination of affordability and matchup.
Goalie to Avoid:
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. NJ ($41) - Even against New Jersey's putrid offense, Hellebuyck will have a very hard time living up to his valuation as Saturday's priciest goaltender. Opposing netminder Cory Schneider has a nearly identical GAA, and Hellebuyck has just two wins in his last seven starts. With wins counting for 6.0 fantasy points, spending so much cap space on a goaltender with a very average chance of winning doesn't make sense.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. NSH ($17) - Although he has cooled off recently, Draisaitl has still managed to put up 36 points in just 39 games this season. That level of elite sustained production is rarely available for a price as low as $17, and a date with Pekka Rinne and his 3.01 road GAA makes Draisaitl even more appealing Saturday.
Center to Avoid:
Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. TB ($20) - Barkov's strong play ceased exactly when his team's did, as he has scored just 2.0 total fantasy points during Florida's current four-game winless streak. Wait until the Russian center and his linemates show signs of turning things around before considering spending $20 on him.
WINGS
Jakob Silfverberg, ANH at DET ($19) - Silfverberg has found his offense lately, potting three goals and adding a pair of helpers over his last four games heading into the weekend. While detractors will write this hot streak off, the Swede's 24 shots on goal over that span indicate that he's creating almost twice as many chances as he was during his early-season struggles. Silfverberg's play last postseason showed that he's capable of sustaining a high level of production over an extended period, and that appears to be exactly what's happening right now.
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. CLS ($15) - Pastrnak has been limited by injuries this season, but his eight points through 15 games extrapolate to a decent 44-point full-season pace. The young winger plays in a fruitful offensive role on Boston's second line, and he has taken advantage of that opportunity lately with four points in his last four appearances. At just $15, he's a very intriguing value play against the worst defensive team in the NHL.
Wings to Avoid:
Corey Perry, ANH at DET ($23) - Perry was dropped to the third line in Wednesday's win over Minnesota, and he played just 14:32 as a result. Although he managed to get an assist in that game, Perry's going to have a hard time living up to his $23 price as long as he remains in this reduced role.
Filip Forsberg, NSH at EDM ($21) - Forsberg has experienced a noticeable drop-off in production outside of Bridgestone Arena this season, scoring just four goals with a minus-10 rating in 24 road games compared to nine tallies and a plus-4 mark at home. Since Saturday's showdown is on the road, Forsberg should be avoided despite the temptation to use him against a below-average opponent.
DEFENSEMEN
Francois Beauchemin, COL at DAL ($19) - Beauchemin's all-around ability has been on full display over the last two games, as he followed up a seven-blocked shot effort Monday in Winnipeg by scoring a goal with an assist against the Sabres on Wednesday. With 146 blocked shots and 24 points this season, the veteran's mix of offense and defense have allowed him to consistently accrue fantasy points in a variety of ways. While there are flashier names available, it would be unwise to overlook Beauchemin's high floor and strong recent play.
David Schlemko, NJ at WPG ($12) - Winnipeg has the NHL's fourth-worst penalty kill, making New Jersey's first-unit point man a sneaky-good play Saturday. Schlemko leads all Devils defensemen with six power-play points after picking up two more Thursday against the Senators, and playing him at the minimum price allows you to maintain maximum cap flexibility while utilizing a player in the perfect position to succeed.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. NJ ($19) - Byfuglien has struggled since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Predators on Jan. 14. The hulking blueliner has just 7.0 fantasy points in three games since then, and he won't find things much easier against New Jersey's seventh-ranked defense. With only three points in his last 10 games, the normally productive defenseman has been a subpar fantasy option for the whole month of January.
Morgan Rielly, TOR at MON ($18) - Rielly has been unimpressive of late offensively, logging just two points in his last 11 games. With a minus-1 rating and only 68 blocked shots this season, Rielly isn't worth anywhere near his $18 valuation if he's not getting on the scoresheet.
