This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's 11-game NHL slate promises to be an exciting one, with plenty of options to choose from as all but eight teams take the ice. A pair of high-scoring Eastern conference teams look primed to feast on defensively deficient Western foes, as the Rangers and Bruins should both generate plenty of value in Calgary and Arizona, respectively. Those aren't the only sources of value to be found around the league, though, and the rest of Saturday's value plays can be found below.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. TOR ($34): Murray has been stellar, averaging 19.5 fantasy points per game while beating the Ducks, Sharks and Oilers in his first three starts. He's immediately putting pressure on Marc-Andre Fleury for the starting job, and may in fact have already overtaken him. A middling Maple Leafs team in the second game of a back-to-back set is unlikely to slow down his momentum.
Goalie to Avoid
Ben Bishop, TB vs. SJ ($36): Bishop has averaged fewer fantasy points per game than any of the five other goalies priced at least $35. He doesn't bring the elite level expected of players in this price range, and a matchup with the defending Western conference champs doesn't help his case.
CENTER
Kevin Hayes, NYR at CGY ($18): Hayes just had a four-game goal-scoring streak broken by the Canucks in his last game, but his 13 points and plus-11 rating still make him an elite asset at $18. That is especially true against a Flames team that ranks 28th with 3.60 goals allowed per game. You won't find a better combination of matchup and bang for the buck.
Center to Avoid
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at CAR ($21): Kuznetsov was demoted to the second line for a reason. He hasn't responded well to that move, either, managing just 1.0 fantasy point in his past three games heading into the weekend. Even in a good matchup, his value compared to his teammates is lacking.
WINGS
J.T. Miller, NYR at CGY ($19): Miller has been an excellent all-around player for the Rangers early on, posting five goals, 13 points and a plus-12 rating in 14 games. New York is a solid minus-130 road favorite in Calgary, meaning Rangers players should be safe bets to at least help out in the rating category if not score. Scoring shouldn't be an issue, either, as the Flames have allowed 20 goals in their last five games. Miller offers better value than most of his teammates at just $19, but stacking your team with Rangers here isn't a bad idea in general.
David Pastrnak, BOS at ARI ($24): Pastrnak has been incredible this season, scoring nine times and posting a plus-10 rating in his first 12 games. He has already attempted 42 shots, so it doesn't look like his production is going to drop off anytime soon. Paying only $24 for him against a Coyotes team that has allowed 3.62 goals per game is a no-brainer.
Wings to Avoid
Brendan Gallagher, MON vs. DET ($25): Gallagher will have trouble producing against Jimmy Howard, who comes in with a 1.22 GAA. The second-line winger is also equivalently priced to much more established teammate Max Pacioretty, who makes more sense if you insist on drafting a Canadiens player given his status as the team's top forward.
Filip Forsberg, NSH vs. ANH ($23): Forsberg still hasn't scored a goal this season, and he is averaging just 4.8 fantasy points per game. Producing against a Ducks team that has held opponents to two or fewer regulation goals in eight of their last 10 games will be difficult for the overpriced winger.
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Letang, PIT vs. TOR ($27): Offense is the name of Letang's game. He has piled up seven points already, and he should start to produce at an even higher rate once his unlucky 3.3 percent shooting percentage creeps up. It will have a great opportunity to rise at home against the Maple Leafs, who are tied for last in the league with 3.62 goals allowed per game.
Ryan Suter, MIN at PHI ($23): Suter is averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game, which ranks third behind the much more expensive Brent Burns ($33) and Shea Weber ($27). He also offers much better value given his superior matchup, as the sub-.500 Flyers have allowed 14 goals while losing three consecutive games.
Defensemen to Avoid
Shea Weber, MON vs. DET ($27): Weber should be avoided for the same reason as Gallagher, since offense has been a big part of the strong start that has raised his price to $27. He'll be worth it in some matchups, but there are too many alternatives available to pay up for Weber on Saturday.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at NJ ($22): Ristolainen will have a tough matchup producing in this road half of a back-to-back against Devils starter Cory Schneider. He has just one assist in his last seven games, so justifying $22 for Ristolainen would be tough even against a weaker opponent.
