This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
This Monday-Tuesday NHL slate is made up of a pair of Game 2s, as all four remaining teams will be back on the ice. It remains to be seen whether Game 1 trends carry over later into the series, but disregarding them completely would be unwise when searching for the top value plays.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. TB ($35) - Murray and the Penguins have yet to drop back-to-back games this postseason, and that's unlikely to change Monday in Pittsburgh. The young goaltender has already set a precedent by bouncing back after a subpar Game 1 against the Capitals, so don't be surprised if he repeats that feat against a less threatening Lightning offense. Murray still has a sparkling 2.15 GAA and 7-3-0 playoff record after Friday's loss, yet continues to be available for a reasonable $35.
Goalie to Avoid:
Ben Bishop, TB at PIT ($37) - Even if he plays Game 2, Bishop might not be 100 percent healthy after nearly breaking his leg and exiting Game 1 early. That's enough uncertainty to justify leaving the most expensive player available out of your lineup.
CENTER
David Backes, STL vs. SJ ($23) - Backes scored his seventh goal of the postseason in Game 1, and now has five goals and four assists in his last seven games. The Blues captain continues to lead by example, but is still available for $23 despite playing as well as anybody remaining since the beginning of the second round. Keep working him into your lineup until the veteran shows some signs of cooling.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. TB ($28) - Crosby has been failing to live up to his lofty price lately, averaging 3.4 fantasy points over his last seven games. While he's always capable of breaking out, it's time to stop playing the center on name value alone and wait for him to produce on the ice before putting him back into lineups.
WING
Ondrej Palat, TB at PIT ($18) - If Game 1 set an accurate precedent of things to come in this series, then Palat should be in all lineups. The first-line left winger was the most effective Lightning skater on the ice Friday and now has three goals and two assists in four meetings with the Penguins this season. Throw in the fact that only center Valtteri Filppula is less expensive among Tampa Bay's top-six forwards, and Palat makes for a no-brainer in Game 2.
Joel Ward, SJ at STL ($14) - The price is right to take a flier on Ward. He has a goal and a plus-1 rating the last three games, and his four shots on goal in Game 1 tied for second on the Sharks behind Joe Pavelski. While San Jose only managed to beat Blues netminder Brian Elliott once on 32 shots in that contest, Ward's recent play makes him as likely as any other winger on the team to find the back of the net should the offense pick up the pace.
Wings to Avoid:
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. SJ ($23) - Schwartz has now gone 10 games without a goal. While he's been fine otherwise, lighting the lamp is the key to maximizing value as a winger. Continuing to drop $23 on one who is consistently unable to do so is inadvisable.
Patrick Marleau, SJ at STL ($20) - Marleau has been a disaster on the road this postseason, averaging 4.0 fantasy points per game while scoring only once in seven contests. The veteran's best days have clearly passed him by, as he's mostly just along for the ride at this point rather than actively leading San Jose's charge toward the Stanley Cup.
DEFENSE
Jason Garrison, TB at PIT ($17) - Garrison has piled up 40.0 fantasy points over the last five games thanks to excellent play on both ends. The veteran has a goal, two assists and a plus-5 rating over that span, making Anton Stralman's absence much easier to stomach. Stralman's status has been upgraded to day-to-day, so your time to get Garrison before he suffers a reduction in role is running out.
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. SJ ($25) - While Shattenkirk hasn't found the back of the net in seven games, his six assists over that span have helped him maintain plenty of value. The productive blueliner is due for a goal after failing to score on his last 14 shots, but his ability to average 6.7 fantasy points per game in his recent time without one shows that he's a worthwhile investment either way. He has been the most dangerous member of the Blues defense corps all postseason, and that doesn't figure to change now.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Kris Letang, PIT vs. TB ($30) - While he was eventually able to return, Letang was forced to miss some time in Game 1 after being hit into the boards by Ryan Callahan. He'll surely play through any potential injury that could've come from that hit, but the offensive-minded defenseman's 0.0 fantasy points Friday raise some questions about whether he'll be at full strength.
