This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are a number of good matchups on the National Hockey League docket Monday. With Columbus, Buffalo, Arizona and Calgary all taking the ice, look to fill out your lineups with their opponents.
Dallas has the star power to take advantage of the Flames who enter on the second leg of back-to-back road games, and especially with Calgary allowing more than three goals per road game this season.
Plucking enough values to load in Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn is a potential starting point for daily lineups Monday.
GOALIE
Antti Niemi/Kari Lehtonen, DAL vs. CGY ($34/$24) - The Flames dropped a road game to Carolina Sunday and are 7-13-3 in away contests. The second leg of back-to-back road games in Dallas doesn't project favorably for Calgary, especially since the Flames average just 2.3 goals per road game. The obvious value is Lehtonen should he receive the starting nod, but both goalies are strong plays with Dallas 18-6 at home.
Goalie to Avoid:
Petr Mrazek, DET at NYI ($41) - The Red Wing tender is in play if you believe he can return 30-plus saves and limit the Islanders to a single goal, and hopefully post a shutout. All possible, but with his contest-high salary and admirable opponent, your funds are likely better dispersed in a few other assets instead of going all in with Mrazek. The Islanders average 2.96 goals per game at home, after all.
CENTER
Derek Stepan, NYR vs. BUF ($20) - Stepan is a high-floor option at a reasonable cap hit. He has rattled off a goal and four helpers over his last five games and plays all the right minutes to tee off on the Sabres. Buffalo has been a little more stingy lately with just 2.2 goals against per game over its last five outings, but the Sabres should still be viewed as a plus-matchup.
Center to Avoid:
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. DET ($22) - This is a steep price for Nelson. He has failed to find the score sheet in consecutive outings and runs into a hot goalie and daunting matchup against Detroit. Nelson hasn't been featured on the No. 1 power-play unit, either, which is a blow to his fantasy stock.
WING
Zach Parise, MIN vs. ARI ($21) - The Wild are struggling, and Parise has a single goal through his past six games with a minus-6 rating. Take the speculative stance and look for a bounce-back showing from him Monday. Arizona allows 3.14 goals per road game and kills penalties at just 76.4 percent for the season. Parise's boasts contest-winning upside sitting at this price point.
Kerby Rychel, CLS at MON ($13) - With two multi-point showings in his last three games, Rychel is beginning to flash the upside that made him a first-round selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. There is plenty of risk rolling Out Rychel on Monday, but he is in solid form and it isn't a daunting matchup. Montreal has allowed 3.4 goals per game over its last five contests, after all.
Wing to Avoid:
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at DAL ($26) - This is a poor spot to trust Gaudreau. He has struggled on the road this season and returned just three goals, 10 assists and a minus-13 rating through 23 games. Facing a potent offense makes him a serious plus/minus concern. At best, Gaudreau checks out as a contrarian option because of his obvious upside, but don't be surprised if he doesn't return value on his cap hit.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL vs. CGY ($18) - This is a ripe matchup for Klingberg to find his offensive form again. While the rearguard has a single assists through his past seven games, he does have 19 shots on net and continues to play the right minutes to take advantage of the cushy matchup. Calgary has allowed 3.17 goals per road game this season, and the Flames own a target-worthy 75.2 percent penalty kill.
Mathew Dumba, MIN vs. ARI ($12) - At minimum price, Dumba is a potential source of cap relief with upside. He is a gifted skater who receives looks on the No. 2 power-play unit and sheltered minutes at even strength, as Dumba has started 57.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. As noted previously, this is a ripe matchup, too.
Defenseman to avoid:
Mark Giordano, CGY at DAL ($29) - With 18 points in his last 15 games, Giordano is cruising offensively. Matching up against the top line night in, night out is a tall task, and Monday, Giordano has a date opposite Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Patrick Sharp. Maybe Giordano stays hot and limits the No. 1 line in Big D, but are you willing to pay top dollar to find out?
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