This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's busy NHL slate has no shortage of options, as 24 of the league's 30 teams take the ice. Whether you prefer spreading your lineup between many teams or focusing on one roster in a favorable situation, there are countless choices available for any strategy imaginable with so many options in action. Regardless of your strategy, the players below should make valuable additions to any lineup based on their high likelihood of outperforming their respective salaries.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at TOR ($36) - Dubnyk has prospered since the Wild promoted John Torchetti to head coach following Mike Yeo's firing, winning five of his last seven starts while never allowing more than three goals in a game over that span. Toronto features the third-least effective offense in the NHL, so the moderately priced netminder has a strong chance of exceeding his price against them if he just maintains the form he's shown the last two weeks.
Goalie to Avoid:
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. SJ ($38) - Miller is going to have a hard time living up to his high price against a San Jose team that has scored at least three goals in eight of its last 10 games. There's no need to risk playing him for $38 with so many safer and cheaper alternatives available.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at PHI ($21) - A "slump" in which he still accrued one goal and four assists in an eight-game stretch dropped McDavid's price to $21, and savvy owners immediately took advantage of the drop and played him in his two-goal bounce-back game against the Sabres on March 1. The rookie phenom is still available at the same price, so give in to your FOMOM (fear of missing out on McDavid) and get him in your lineup while he's still so cheap. His seven goals and 12 assists in 15 games since returning from injury in February more than justify giving the 2015 first overall pick a look.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. NYR ($33) - The only time Crosby faced the Rangers this season, he entered the game on a career-high seven-game goal streak, and left with no points and a minus-3 rating. A veteran defensive corps and elite goaltending put the Rangers in as good a position as any team to limit opposing elite forwards' production, making Crosby unlikely to live up to his lofty $33 valuation.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB at OTT ($22) - Despite a slow start, Kucherov's 50 points trail only $27 center Steven Stamkos' 51 for the team lead. The Russian winger has demonstrated his offensive prowess on a consistent basis, and a matchup against an Ottawa team that gives up 3.05 goals per game presents an ideal opportunity for him to keep building on his high scoring totals. At just $22, Kucherov is an affordable and reliable option in a high-upside situation.
Craig Smith, NSH vs. NJ ($19) - Smith has played a major role in Nashville's recent surge, contributing two goals, three assists and a plus-3 rating in the last two games alone. Some may be scared of using Smith because he faces a defensively-sound Devils team, but they figure to be much less imposing with starting goaltender Cory Schneider getting a day off. The Predators should exploit backup Keith Kinkaid, and Smith has a good chance of leading the Nashville scoring brigade.
Wings to Avoid:
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. CHI ($18) - Pastrnak has been quiet in his last three games, totaling 3.0 fantasy points while failing to hit 14 minutes of ice time in any of those contests. A matchup with the elite Blackhawks is unlikely to serve as a catalyst for the struggling winger to raise his productivity.
Shane Doan, ARI vs. ANH ($23) - Doan has been held to 2.0 or fewer fantasy points in five of his last nine games for the struggling Coyotes. Don't expect Arizona's captain to turn things around against a Ducks team that allows the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL.
DEFENSE
Anton Stralman, TB at OTT ($17) - Stralman's 11 power-play points are tied for third on the Lightning, making him a sneaky-good bet to get on the scoreboard against the worst penalty kill in action Thursday. With top defenseman Victor Hedman ($20) playing through a minor hand injury, don't be surprised if Stralman is able to build on his three assists over the last three games in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.
Mark Giordano, CGY at BUF ($23) - Giordano has managed to rack up at least 6.0 fantasy points in each of his last four contests despite totaling just one assist and no goals in that span. The Flames captain is too offensively gifted to be held down for much longer, so he's due for some explosive performances considering his high recent level of all-around contributions outside of scoring. A matchup with the lowly Sabres could work as the launching point for Giordano's next offensive surge.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. EDM ($27) - The rest of the league seems to have figured out a way to limit Gostisbehere, as he has followed up a historic 15-game point streak with just one assist in his last four games. A player of his talent level could get back on track at any time, but there are too many question surrounding the rookie for owners to feel good devoting $27 to him, especially with so many viable alternatives.
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. NYI ($26) - Byfuglien's 14 power-play points are a big reason for his high price, but his chances of adding to that total against New York's top-ranked penalty kill are slim. There are smarter ways to use $26 Thursday.
