This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Wednesday contests consist of the two upcoming Game 3s, with the Lightning hosting the Penguins on Wednesday and the Sharks hosting the Blues on Thursday.
Here are your picks, values and fades for the two-day contests.
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, STL at SJ ($37): Look for this to continue to be a back-and-forth series with St. Louis eking out Game 3 on Wednesday. Elliott has a 5-1 record and a .933 save percentage following a loss during the playoffs and has an impressive .947 save percentage and 1.76 GAA with eight wins through his past 10 road games dating back to the regular season.
Player to avoid:
Matt Murray, PIT at TB ($34): At this stage of the postseason, there aren't any goalies to recommend as prime fade candidates. All four starters and their four backups are solid netminders. So with that in mind, Murray's .889 save percent over his past four starts is underwhelming, while the Lightning scored 2.85 goals per home game during the regular season and have a 3.33 mark during the playoffs.
CENTER
Jori Lehtera, STL at SJ ($14): An upside source of cap relief, Lehtera had a three-game point streak snapped last time out and spends his even-strength minutes between offensively gifted wingers Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Lehtera receives minimal power play time and is a low-volume shooter so there is a low floor, but the ceiling is also high, especially relative to his salary.
Player to avoid:
Nick Bonino, PIT at TB ($21): After a scorching hot finish to the regular season and strong start to the playoffs (24 points through a 20-game stretch), Bonino has a single goal and assist through his past five games and just eight shots on net. There is upside here, but it is already priced in, and Bonino has hit double-digit fantasy points just once through his past six showings.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. PIT ($29): Through six home games during the playoffs, Kucherov has five goals, two assists and 21 shots on net with a plus-10 rating. He has also averaged 20:08 of ice time per night with 4:25 of the power play variety. Kucherov scored 40 points, including 18 goals, through 38 home games during the regular season, too.
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL at SJ ($26): From fade to recommendation, Tarasenko underwhelmed again in Game 2 with just 4.0 fantasy points, but he did register six shots on net. With four goals on his past 38 shots over a 12-game stretch, Tarasenko's shooting percentage is a touch down from the norm we've seen from him (14.2 percent over the past three seasons). Expect a statement game from the sniper.
Player to avoid:
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at TB ($24): After registering four points in the playoff opener, Hornqvist has returned just three goals, two helpers and a minus-6 rating through his past 12 games. It wouldn't be shocking to see him hit the scoresheet, but the plus/minus risk, lack of consistent offense and the hefty cap hit are all concerns.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, PIT at TB ($12): You'll have to ensure he is suiting up, but Schultz registered five shot attempts and three scoring chances during Game 2 on Monday, according to War-on-Ice.com. Sure, it only resulted in 2.0 fantasy points, but the offensive upside is there and Schultz passed the eye test. Assuming he is utilized effectively and primarily matched up against the weakest opponents, Schultz has limited risk at minimum price.
Player to avoid:
Brent Burns, SJ at STL ($34): Even with a two-goal, 16.0 fantasy point showing in Game 2, it might not have been enough to buoy your lineup. There aren't any goalie discounts offering cap relief, which means relying on a cast of bottom-six forwards and depth defensemen if you try to roster Burns.
