This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Sharks-Blues series opener Sunday and Monday's Lightning-Penguins Game 2 make up this two-game NHL slate. While this is our first look at the former matchup, Game 1 in Pittsburgh may have revealed some important trends pertinent to finding top value plays.
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, STL vs. SJ ($33): While San Jose's fourth-ranked offense is nothing to sneeze at, Elliott just held a Dallas unit that averaged 0.34 more regular-season goals per game to 14 goals in seven contests. The Sharks lit the lamp just seven times in dropping all three of their road games last round, making them the most vulnerable target among the four remaining teams until proven otherwise. At just $33, Elliott is a tremendous bargain in this situation.
Goalie to Avoid
Ben Bishop, TB at PIT ($37): Pittsburgh has earned a split in the first two games of every series thus far, and Bishop seems unlikely to be the man to prevent that from happening again after sustaining a lower-body injury in Game 1. Even if he's able to go for Game 2, injury concerns on top of facing an elite offense make the Lightning netminder an incredibly risky play considering his astronomical price.
CENTER
Robby Fabbri, STL vs. SJ ($21): Fabbri is peaking at the right time, and has now put up 13 points in his last 12 appearances. The rookie tends to be overlooked among a high-profile group of Blues forwards, but he's playing as well as anyone on the roster right now. Considering Fabbri costs just $21 even after a three-point effort his last time out, it'd be foolish to pass on him after his sustained recent success.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. TB ($28): Pittsburgh's victory over the Capitals was no thanks to Crosby, as the captain failed to find the back of the net en route to a minus-3 rating in that six-game series. He hasn't scored in eight straight games overall, yet continues to be priced among the upper echelon of centers.
WING
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. TB ($22): The Penguins couldn't solve Tampa Bay's goaltending tandem in Game 1 until it was too late, but Hornqvist's late tally should give him and the team as a whole confidence as they look to earn a split in Pittsburgh. His price has finally come down to a reasonable $22, making the first-line right winger a strong investment once again. With three goals in his last five appearances, he's heating up again following a six-game slump.
Ondrej Palat, TB at PIT ($18): Palat was the most productive Lightning forward in Game 1, yet he's still priced below three other wingers on his team. He has put up five points in six games since the start of the second round, and continues to offer terrific bang for the buck at only $18. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Wing to Avoid:
Nikita Kucherov, TB at PIT ($30): Kucherov was limited to just two shots in Game 1, yet is still priced above all alternatives at the wing position. Until he proves capable of delivering against the Penguins, it's tough to justify such a lofty investment.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. SJ ($23): Pietrangelo has generated value without getting on the scoreboard thanks to a plus-7 rating over his last five games. The versatile blueliner is likely to start contributing points soon based on his offensive profile, so get him in your lineup now before he undergoes the corresponding rise in price. With the Blues favored to win, their most-used players make for strong lineup choices.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ at STL ($22): Vlasic has been the epitome of consistency this postseason, picking up at least 7.0 fantasy points in each of his last nine games thanks to his eight assists over that span. His high floor and two-way production make the veteran a reliable pick to round out your team on the back end, as he's proven capable of providing value in all situations.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Brent Burns, SJ at STL ($34): Burns was held in check by the Blues in the regular season, managing just a single assist in three meetings. While the bearded blueliner is capable of reversing that trend in a hurry, some evidence pointing in that direction would be nice to have before committing $34 to him.
Kris Letang, PIT vs.TB ($30): Letang hasn't been bad, but the 6.0 fantasy points he's averaging over the last four games just don't cut it at $30. Don't expect him to suddenly change that with the Lightning focusing their efforts on stopping the offensive-minded blueliner.
