This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's Game 7 between the Sharks and Predators combines with Friday's Penguins-Lightning series opener to form a two-game NHL slate. While the latter shouldn't lack for offensive fireworks, there is plenty of value to be found in the former contest as well.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SJ vs. NSH ($36) - The home team has emerged victorious in each of the first six games this series, which should make Jones and the Sharks favorites to take the decider in San Jose. He hasn't allowed more than two goals in any of his five home starts this postseason, and that trend is unlikely to change now with the season on the line. Since the other game in this slate is likely to be quite high-scoring, grabbing the favored option from the less risky contest makes a lot of sense.
Goalie to Avoid:
Ben Bishop, TB at PIT ($36) - Capitals netminder Braden Holtby had no answer for the red-hot Pittsburgh offense despite coming in off a terrific first-round performance and a historic regular season. There isn't much to suggest Bishop will fare any better.
CENTER
Nick Bonino, PIT vs. TB ($22) - Bonino has flown under the radar because he plays on a team with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, but the third-line center has actually out-produced the former while equalling the latter with 10 points in 11 games. He has momentum after potting the Game 6 overtime winner against Washington, and should be able to continue exploiting lesser defensive pairings against a top-heavy Lightning blue line. At just $22, Bonino is the best deal among Penguins centers.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. TB ($28) - Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bonino have performed comparably this postseason, yet Crosby is by far the most expensive of the three. Either of the other two give you better bang for the buck at center.
WING
James Neal, NSH at SJ ($25) - Neal is riding a four-game point streak, making him as likely as any Predator to score in Game 7 at SAP Center. He has brought strong two-way play with a plus-6 rating in that span, but that's nothing new for Nashville's runaway regular-season plus/minus leader. This could be the last time you get to use Neal this season, so don't let it go to waste.
Chris Kunitz, PIT vs. TB ($13) - Kunitz is starting to find his game, registering an assist in the clinching Game 6 against Washington after finally lighting the lamp in Game 5. The veteran winger is still skating in a dangerous offensive role, and saw his ice time remain constant or increase with each passing game last series. There isn't a more appealing option in this price range.
Wings to Avoid:
Craig Smith, NSH at SJ ($15) - Smith was demoted to the third line and hasn't registered a point in the last nine games. Even in this low price range, there are much higher-upside options.
Filip Forsberg, NSH at SJ ($19) - Forsberg has finished with a negative plus/minus in every game this series, totaling a minus-8 mark while scoring just once. His utter lack of production doesn't bode well for the Swede's chances of contributing much in Game 7.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TBL at PIT ($28) - Hedman was a force to be reckoned with in the conference semifinals, posting four goals and four assists in a five-game victory over the Islanders. This next series with the Penguins figures to be equally fast-paced, meaning ample opportunities for Tampa Bay's top blueliner to accrue fantasy value on both ends. Pittsburgh had trouble limiting Washington's John Carlson in the previous round, and Hedman brings a similar level of offensive skill from the back end.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. NSH ($21) - Vlasic has demonstrated an incredibly high floor in piling up at least 7.0 fantasy points in each of his last eight appearances, yet still has plenty of room for improvement considering he's yet to score a goal this postseason. His 6.9 percent regular-season shooting percentage suggests Vlasic could be due after failing to connect on any of his first 24 playoff shots, but the veteran blueliner should accrue plenty of value regardless since he plays such a key role for the Sharks on both ends. He'll see no shortage of ice time and opportunities with San Jose's season on the line.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Shea Weber, NSH at SJ ($23) - Weber has totaled just 1.0 fantasy point in three games at San Jose this series. That precedent is simply too overwhelmingly negative to justify a $23 investment, especially with sensible alternatives available on the Nashville blue line.
