This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's massive 13-game NHL slate has options available for all styles of play, with all but four of the teams in the league in action. Matchups likely will dictate many players' perceived values, but it's important to use other factors in determining your lineup as well. Regardless of your strategy, the players listed below make good value options for any type of DFS contest.
GOALIE
Scott Darling, CHI vs. STL ($32) - Darling is heating up, winning five of six starts heading into a pivotal divisional matchup with the Blues. He's available on the cheaper side, especially considering his 12-8-3 record, indicative of solid play even prior to this recent hot streak. St. Louis has played well lately, but the Blackhawks have a strong chance of cutting into the Blues' hot streak considering they've come away with at least a point in all four of the teams' meetings this season.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ vs. WPG ($38) - Jones has come up victorious in just one of his last four appearances, yet still remains extremely pricey at $38. He's unlikely to provide much bang for the buck against a Jets team coming off consecutive victories given his recent scuffles.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at SJ ($27) - Scheifele is surging to close out the season, registering four goals and seven assists during his eight-game point streak. He's as hot as any center in the NHL, and a San Jose team that has dropped four of its last five games at home is unlikely to keep Scheifele from extending his point streak to nine.
Center to Avoid:
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH at LA ($25) - While Getzlaf has been dishing out assists at a solid rate, it's concerning that he has scored just a single goal since March 11. Between his lack of goals and facing one of the league's best defensive teams in Los Angeles, Getzlaf should have a hard time living up to his $25 price.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT at WAS ($30) - Kessel is worth paying up for, even against the mighty Capitals. The speedy winger has finally found his groove in Pittsburgh, as a separation from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin onto a line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino has allowed Kessel to excel by carrying the puck into the zone himself. The result of that move is five goals and six assists in the last seven games for Kessel, and it'd be foolish not to keep riding him in the midst of this offensive resurgence.
Jannik Hansen, VAN at CGY ($16) - Those who choose to spring for expensive options like Mark Scheifele ($27) and Phil Kessel ($32), will need to mix in some cheaper plays, which is where Hansen comes in. The Danish winger is in a fruitful offensive situation on the top line with both Sedin twins, and has taken full advantage with two goals and three assists in his last three games. He's likely to stay hot facing a Flames team that ranks last in the league defensively.
Wings to Avoid:
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. DET ($22) - Marchand is limping to the finish line, posting just two goals and two assists in his last 12 appearances. Don't expect a sudden turnaround against a Red Wings team fighting tooth and nail to extend its consecutive postseason appearance streak to 25.
Rick Nash, NYR vs. NYI ($19) - Nash's play has gone back downhill after a brief outburst, as the unproductive power forward has now failed to top 5.0 fantasy points for six consecutive games. Asking him to turn things around against the Islanders is a tall order considering they've limited him to no points and a minus-1 rating in two meetings.
DEFENSE
Brent Seabrook, CHI vs. STL ($21) - Seabrook has been inundated with minutes during Duncan Keith's suspension, and he has made that playing time pay off with 42.0 fantasy points over the last three games. Expect more of the same from Seabrook in a pivotal Central Division matchup, as the Blackhawks need a regulation win to keep their hopes of catching the Blues or Stars alive. Seabrook went off earlier in the season with Keith out, so there's already a precedent for another potential hot streak from the veteran.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at OTT ($19) - Ekblad is enjoying the Panthers' trip through Canada, recording two assists over its first two games to bring his total to six in the last four games. Things don't stand to get much harder for the productive young blueliner against the 27th-ranked Senators defense, especially since he found the back of the net the last time these two teams met. With history and momentum on his side, Ekblad is likely to propel himself to another strong performance using his balanced skillset.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Trevor Daley, PIT at WAS ($21) - Daley is crashing back to earth with no points in his last three games. His history suggests he's a tier below the other defensemen in this price range, and he's likely to play like it against the division-leading Capitals.
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