This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's seven-game NHL slate is incredibly balanced with seven teams from each conference in action. The normally fantasy-friendly Capitals and Ducks could have trouble living up to expectations as they face each other in Anaheim, leaving the surging Lightning in Philadelphia as the most obvious source of expected production. It's important to diversify your lineup with value plays hailing from all sorts of situations, and the players listed below are strong bets to help you win by outperforming their respective prices.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANH vs. WAS ($30) - While the idea of facing the fearsome Capitals offense will steer many owners away from Gibson, his bang for the buck at $30 is too good to pass up in the No. 2 goaltender spot. He has allowed eight goals while going 4-0-0 over his last four starts, and the American netminder's 16-8-2 record and 2.09 GAA are significant upgrades over any other option in his price range. The Capitals have failed to score more than twice in three of their last five games. Look for Gibson to add to their offensive lull.
Goalie to Avoid:
Ryan Miller, VAN at LA ($36) - Miller has been terrible lately, with at least three goals allowed in five of his last six games. He's simply not worth $36, especially facing a Kings team that's 18 points ahead of his Canucks in the standings.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF at TOR ($18) - Eichel has come into his own offensively lately, registering two goals, an assist and 29.0 fantasy points over his last two games combined. The second overall pick in 2015 is living up to that billing as Buffalo's first-line center, and the last-place Maple Leafs lack the talent to contain such a dangerous forward.
Center to Avoid:
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. BOS ($21) - Trocheck has been quiet lately, with just two goals, three assists and a plus-1 rating in his last five games. With so many alternatives in better matchups available, he doesn't make for a sensible investment against a Boston team that has held its opposition to 11 goals in winning four of its last six games.
WINGS
Jarome Iginla, COL vs. ARI ($21) - Iginla has two goals and three assists over his last three matchups against bottom-five defenses, using his veteran savvy to exploit vulnerable opponents. Arizona's last-place defense is even worse than the Edmonton, Ottawa and Columbus units he accrued those points against, suggesting the winger is in line for another productive performance Monday. For those who don't want to spend the extra $3 to grab Gabriel Landeskog, Iginla represents a strong alternative in a fantasy-friendly situation.
Alex Killorn, TB at PHI ($17) - Killorn has been killing it recently, with four goals and five assists in his last 10 games. He's skating on the top line with Ryan Callahan ($24) and Steven Stamkos ($28) and is a way to gain access to one of the NHL's most productive units without having to spend big money. The Flyers have played better recently, but Killorn's chances of improving on his plus-6 rating are high considering his Lightning have won nine straight.
Wings to Avoid:
Ryan Callahan, TB at PHI ($24) - Callahan's late-February hot streak raised his price to its current astronomical mark, but he has failed to carry that momentum over into March with no goals or assists through three games this month. The veteran's career offensive output suggests $24 is quite an overpayment for Callahan.
Garnet Hathaway, CGY vs. SJ ($20) - Hathaway comes into his first career home game overpriced considering he's failed to record a point in three of his first four career games. The 24-year-old forward needs to prove he can consistently get it done at the NHL level before he deserves a look at this price.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SJ at CGY ($31) - Burns has lived up to his price and then some over his last three games, with three goals, three assists and an extraordinary 64.0 fantasy points in that span. He should have no problem burning a vulnerable Flames squad that is tied for worst in the NHL with a 3.12 GAA, and should find himself in contention to finish as the night's most productive skater. Even at $31, the offensive-minded defenseman's upside is too high to pass up.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. BOS ($15) - Ekblad is a terrific bargain, as the young defenseman's 13 goals and plus-17 rating belie a $15 player. He's actually playing an even bigger role recently for the Panthers with more than 23 minutes of ice time in each of his last five games, and has rewarded the coaching staff's trust with one goal on eight shots over the last two. Ekblad won't be available at only $15 for long, so get him cheap while you still can.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. TB ($19) - Gostisbehere continues to struggle after bursting onto the scene with a month-long point streak that ended Feb. 20. The rookie has no goals and just one assist in six games from that date, and his lack of blocks makes the defensemen essentially worthless if he's not getting on the scoresheet.
Alec Martinez, LA vs. VAN ($21) - Martinez should be avoided simply because he's completely outclassed by equally priced teammate Drew Doughty in every offensive category. Doughty is the more sensible option against a Vancouver team that struggles to keep the puck out of its net, while Martinez's shot-blocking prowess is minimized since the Canucks rank 26th in the league in shots on goal per game.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
