This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's two-game evening NHL slate features a tie-breaking Game 5 between the Predators and Sharks, as well as a Metropolitan Division battle between the desperate Capitals and Penguins. They're changing venues after the lower seeds hosted Games 3 and 4, so looking back at the results of early-series contests should give a good idea of how these games will be played now that the higher seeds' coaches once again have last change. Coupling that information with other factors yielded the players below as the night's top value plays and pans.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SJ vs. NSH ($34): The decision between Jones and opposing netminder Pekka Rinne ($33) as your discount goalie of choice comes down to whose team is more likely to emerge victorious. Jones has the inside track on a win and the 6.0 fantasy points that come with it, since the Sharks have won both of their home games in this series up to this point. Expect him to end up being worth the extra dollar.
Goalie to Avoid:
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. PIT ($40): Holtby has surrendered three goals in three of four games this series, yet remains the most expensive goaltending option. He makes for a poor investment given how effective the Penguins offense has looked in defeating Holtby's Capitals three times in four tries.
CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NSH at SJ ($21): Johansen enjoyed his time in San Jose earlier this series, scoring in both Game 1 and Game 2. All three of his goals this postseason have come on the road, and the former Blue Jacket is primed to extend his success skating on an offensive-minded line with Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT at WAS ($29): With just 10.0 fantasy points through four games, Crosby has been a non-factor this series. Don't expect that to change now with the Capitals fighting for their lives.
WING
Tomas Hertl, SJ vs. NSH ($18): Hertl has attempted at least four shots on goal three times this series, yet he has scored only once up to this point. If his shooting percentage starts to more closely resemble his 11 percent career mark, Hertl should once again find the back of the net soon. He has been knocking on the door, and is the likeliest San Jose winger to make a serious offensive impact.
Carl Hagelin, PIT at WAS ($21): Washington has had no answer to Hagelin's speed, conceding two goals and two assists to the Swedish winger in four games. He has added to that offensive production with a plus-3 rating thus far, and is showing few signs of slowing down as the series shifts back to D.C.
Wings to Avoid:
Patrick Marleau, SJ vs. NSH ($20): Marleau has totalled a mere 9.0 fantasy points through four games against the Predators, including 3.0 in two previous home contests. It seems the 36-year-old is finally slowing down after 91 games worth of wear and tear on his body this season.
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. PIT ($22): Take away Oshie's Game 1 hat trick, and he has just 12.0 total fantasy points in his last five appearances. Odds are the American winger will only disappoint owners again Saturday.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS vs. PIT ($31): Carlson has been a two-way force in this series, picking up a point in every game while firing 20 shots on goal and blocking six more. He's averaging 11.3 fantasy points per game against the Penguins, but could be in line for even more given that his ice time has risen in every outing since Game 2. Carlson's consistency makes him the premiere option among blueliners.
Mattias Ekholm, NAS at SJ ($20): Ekholm stayed hot with 15.0 fantasy points in Game 4, raising his series average to 12.0. The Swede has been the most effective member of Nashville's star-studded blue line through four games, but can be had for a significantly lower price than some of his more prominent teammates. Keep rolling with Ekholm as long as he's producing at this level.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Trevor Daley, PIT at WAS ($16): Daley makes for a tempting target after scoring in Game 4, but he will be put back into a more defensive role for Game 5 with Kris Letang back from suspension. The 4.0 fantasy points per game he was putting up in Games 1-3 are indicative of his likely output, and that level of production isn't worth $16.
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