This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's two-game slate features all four remaining Western Conference teams. The Blues will look to extend a 2-1 series lead over Dallas at home, while the Predators host the Sharks with the intention of evening up their series after finally breaking through in Game 3. All four teams possess plenty of viable fantasy options, but a look at recent trends reveals the night's top value plays.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. SJ ($30) - Rinne's price somehow dropped even further despite a strong Game 3 performance in which he stopped 26 of 27 Sharks shots en route to a 4-1 Predators win. He's the cheapest option available outside of the two-headed mess in Dallas, and warrants strong consideration for the purpose of lineup flexibility in addition to performance. With three wins and just 10 goals allowed in his last five starts, Rinne has proven consistently capable of significantly outperforming his $30 price.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ at NSH ($36) - It's tough to justify dropping $36 on Jones when Brian Elliott is matched up with a reeling Stars team and Pekka Rinne is just so much cheaper. Allowing four goals on 25 shots in Game 3 didn't help his case, either.
CENTER
Paul Stastny, STL vs. DAL ($15) - Now is the time to buy low on Stastny. He delivered a respectable 49 points in just 64 regular-season appearances, but is priced low after registering just three assists through nine playoff contests. All three have come in the last five games, though, and there is plenty of upside to be found in a top-six forward facing a Stars team that has allowed 10 goals in consecutive defeats and features two struggling netminders.
Center to Avoid:
Jason Spezza, DAL at STL ($26) - Spezza has been kept in check by the Blues after a productive opening round against the Wild. He's been far from a $26 value with just one point and five shots through three games this series.
WINGERS
James Neal, NSH vs. SJ ($21) - Those who bought low on Neal reaped the benefits of his goal Tuesday, so they'll be happy to know that he's still available at the bargain price of $21 heading into Game 4. He has two goals, an assist and a plus-3 rating in his last two home games, and the winger's 34 points and plus-18 mark at Bridgestone Arena in the regular season suggest he's capable of reproducing those results in Game 4.
Patrick Marleau, SJ at NSH ($18) - Marleau scored San Jose's lone goal Tuesday, and now owns a three-game point streak on the road. He actually recorded 27 of his 48 regular-season points away from the SAP Center, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the reasonably-priced veteran once again get on the scoresheet in Nashville.
Wings to Avoid:
Joonas Donskoi, SJ at NSH ($14) - Donskoi was demoted to the fourth line after his four-minute high-sticking penalty on James Neal led to the latter's game-tying tally in Game 3. Even if the demotion proves to be only temporary, Donskoi's 10.0 fantasy points through three games this series aren't much to write home about.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Weber, NSH vs. SJ ($21) - Weber has been noticeably better at home than on the road in the playoffs, averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game in four appearances at Bridgestone Arena compared to just 4.7 per game elsewhere. Luckily for Weber's owners, Game 4 is in Nashville. If he can at least match his average home output, the Predators captain would make for a strong value play at $21.
Mattias Ekholm, NSH vs. SJ ($17) - Ekholm has been overshadowed by some bigger names on the Nashville blue line (see: Weber and Roman Josi), but he leads all Predators skaters with 33.0 fantasy points in this series. While that's unlikely to last, the Swede could easily end up being the best bargain on the team given his low price. Roll Ekholm with confidence tonight, as he has yet to disappoint through the first 10 games of the playoffs..
Defensemen to Avoid:
Brent Burns, SJ at NSH ($35) - Nashville seems to have all the answers for Burns. The Predators limited him to a single assist in three regular-season meetings, and have continued to keep the offensive-minded blueliner goalless while saddling him with a minus-2 rating through three playoff meetings.
John Klingberg, DAL at STL ($20) - Klingberg's fantasy production has declined with each game this series, though he likely won't do much worse than his -3.0 fantasy points in Game 3. He carries a massive plus/minus related risk due to Dallas' defensive troubles, as illustrated by his minus-3 mark last time out.
