This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's four-game NHL slate shouldn't lack for offense with three of the league's four most effective offenses in action. While the Capitals, Bruins and Sharks have plenty of appealing DFS options, don't forget about the other five teams playing. The players listed below are in the best position to outperform their prices, regardless of which team they play for.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. ARI ($35) - Despite his 37-6-3 record, Holtby is available for only $35. He has won seven of his last eight starts, and an Arizona team that is just 3-6-1 in its last 10 games is unlikely to slow his roll. Holtby's near-certain win makes him an excellent high-floor DFS anchor at goaltender.
Goalie to Avoid:
Pekka Rinne, NSH at MON ($36) - While Rinne has put in some solid home efforts lately, his road play remains problematic. With a 2.86 GAA and .893 save percentage outside of Bridgestone Arena, Rinne has rarely lived up to his price away from home.
CENTER
Brandon Dubinsky, CLS at BOS ($22) - Dubinsky's 10-shot-on-goal effort Friday netted him 11.0 fantasy points, giving him a grand total of 54.0 in his last five games. His plus-9 rating since Jan. 25 makes the former Ranger more appealing than the other Blue Jackets, so those looking to take advantage of Boston's below-average defense would be wise to lean on Dubinsky. The second-line center's mix of offensive contributions and defensive awareness allows him to accrue points in a variety of ways, giving him a leg up on the riskier options available in his price range.
Center to Avoid:
Ryan Johansen, NSH at MON ($21) - Johansen has cooled down significantly after an initial scoring surge upon joining the Predators, with just one assist over his last five games. He's too talented to stay cold for long, but the former Blue Jacket isn't a smart lineup choice until he gets back on the upswing.
WING
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. SJ ($23) - Schwartz has been on fire since returning from injury, scoring four goals in five games. The young forward has been a forgotten man for most of the season, but his goalscoring seems to have taken yet another leap coming off consecutive 25-goal campaigns. As long as he keeps putting the puck in the net, Schwartz will keep outproducing his valuation.
Craig Smith, NSH at MON ($17) - Smith has been on fire since playing less than 10 minutes against the Panthers on Feb. 13, averaging 11.3 fantasy points per contest in three subsequent appearances. His $17 price tag is more than reasonable, and the Carey Price-less Canadiens have had trouble keeping the puck out of their net recently, making Smith a top-end choice for those not looking to break the bank at the wing position.
Wings to Avoid:
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. CLS ($17) - While his matchup is appealing, Pastrnak has been struggling with just 21.0 total fantasy points in five games since his last goal. There are many higher-percentage options to choose from in Boston's explosive lineup.
Nick Foligno, CLS at BOS ($18) - Columbus' captain continues to struggle and is still yet to light the lamp since Jan. 5. His four assists in 12 games over that span aren't nearly enough to compensate for the lack of goals, making Foligno a subpar option until he snaps out of this drought.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS vs. ARI ($23) - Carlson was far from the first defenseman stifled by New Jersey's boring style of play, but he should find a lot more space against a fast-paced Coyotes team that consequently ranks last in the NHL in goals allowed per game. His offensive contributions can be overlooked with so many talented forwards on the Capitals roster, but the two-way defenseman is primed to remind owners of how dangerous he can be in this matchup.
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. SJ ($20) - Shattenkirk has found his offense after a brief slump, registering at least 7.0 fantasy points in each of his last five games with a goal and two assists. His pedigree on that end suggests Shattenkirk is more than capable of continuing to put up points, and there isn't much the middling Sharks can do to stop the blueliner if he's locked in. Look for him to add to the Sharks' misery on the penalty kill after the Hurricanes needed less than a minute to score on their final power play against them Friday.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Brent Burns, SJ at STL ($29) - Burns is averaging just 5.6 fantasy points per game in his last seven road appearances, including a 4.0-point performance in St. Louis on Feb. 4. With last change to properly keep tabs on him, the surging Blues have a good chance of once again limiting the risk-taking defenseman in the rematch.
Seth Jones, CLS at BOS ($18) - Jones played less than 22 minutes for the first time in five games Friday following a scolding from coach John Tortorella after a blown coverage in Columbus' loss to these same Bruins on Tuesday. Don't expect a much better game from him in a reduced role after he managed -2.0 fantasy points in that Tuesday encounter.
