This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The next Yahoo NHL slate is made up of a pair of Game 5s. Both contests will be pivotal with each series tied 2-2, and the guys recommended below are best positioned to provide value at this crucial time.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. SJ ($29): Allen's price still doesn't reflect his new position as St. Louis' primary netminder, leaving him available at a significant discount relative to available alternatives. Coach Ken Hitchcock will surely stick with his 1B option after the change in net inspired a higher level of execution from the skaters in a crucial Game 4 win, and its not hard to imagine the Blues maintaining their newfound momentum en route to another victory in Game 5. At $29, putting Allen in one of your goalie spots helps maximize your lineup flexibility like no other choice does.
Goalie to Avoid:
Matt Murray, PIT vs. TB ($36): Murray hasn't faced many shots in this series, yet has struggled to keep the puck out of the net nonetheless. He has allowed at least two goals in eight straight appearances while failing to make more than 26 saves in any of the last four. That combination is far from a recipe for success.
CENTER
Paul Stastny, STL vs. SJ ($16): Given that both David Backes and Robby Fabbri are dealing with injuries sustained in Game 4, Stastny is the top healthy center available to the Blues. He could see some extra ice time for that reason, but makes for a terrific value play at $16 even if he doesn't. His pair of helpers last time out gave the veteran 11 points in the last 13 games, and his history of solid scoring totals suggests that he continues to be under-priced in relation to comparably productive options.
Center to Avoid:
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. TB ($29): Even after his small outburst earlier in this series, Crosby has just two goals and three assists in his last 10 games. That level of production simply isn't worth anywhere near $29.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB at PIT ($28): With nine goals and 16 points in 14 games, Kucherov has been outplaying even his lofty current price throughout the playoffs. He should be confident coming off consecutive two-assist performances and is due for a goal after failing to connect on any of his nine shots in the last four games. Since Penguins netminder Matt Murray is showing some chinks in his armor, Kucherov's scoring upside is too great to pass up.
Tomas Hertl, SJ at STL ($21): While not many Sharks were able to find success in a blowout Game 4 defeat, Hertl at least managed to consistently generate chances with five shots on goal. He has connected three times on 14 shots over the last four games, and is as dangerous as any wing option the center-heavy Sharks possess. If San Jose is to bounce back in Game 5, Hertl's play will likely be one of the primary reasons why.
Wings to Avoid:
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. SJ ($25): Tarasenko has been a non-factor against the Sharks, failing to get on the scoresheet while totalling just 7.0 fantasy points in four games. While the Russian sniper is always capable of turning things around, the odds are against it based on San Jose's ability to contain him up to this point.
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. SJ ($19): Schwartz's confidence must be in the dumps considering it has now been 13 games since he last scored. That's simply unacceptable from a winger in this price range. Stay away until he proves capable of lighting the lamp again.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB at PIT ($26): Hedman has been a beast after his slow start to the playoffs, racking up four goals and eight assists over the last nine games. Many forwards would be envious of that scoring rate, but the Swedish blueliner also augments his value with blocks in addition to his work in the offensive zone. It's tough to justify leaving Hedman out of the lineup when considering his body of work over the last two rounds.
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. SJ ($21): Pietrangelo has come alive with 23.0 fantasy points over the last two games, and continues to contribute by both generating and blocking shots. His scoring rate is still due to climb considering he has mustered just one goal and one assist in 11 games since the Chicago series, but the skilled defenseman has proven capable of providing value even without getting on the scoresheet. If he starts to approach his 37-point regular season scoring rate, Pietrangelo will blow his $21 price out of the water.
Defenseman to Avoid:
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ at STL ($22): Vlasic's value has dried up since he stopped dishing out assists, and he's still yet to score a goal this postseason. With 7.0 or less fantasy points in six of his last seven games, the veteran simply lacks the explosiveness and upside necessary to differentiate your lineup from the pack.
