This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The player pool is filled to the brim with 13 games happening in the NHL on Tuesday. At Yahoo, it's always worth scrolling all the way through the player pool because some solid players can be found at -- or near -- minimum price. With that said, here are some targets, fades and values to consider when assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at VAN ($35): Facing the 28th-ranked offense (2.0 goals per game), Lundqvist's salary jumps out as a strong value. He's eyeing redemption after losing to Vancouver on Nov. 8 and has settled into the season with seven wins, a .927 save percentage and a 2.10 GAA over his past nine starts. There are enough cheap options throughout the player pool to allow you to ante up for Lundqvist in this cushy matchup.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. CHI ($24): A quick additional recommendation. Hellebuyck carries a contest-low salary among goalies. It's obviously not a high-end matchup, but for those willing to take on some risk, the young netminder could provide some reward. He's found his grove of late, too. Through his past eight appearances, Hellebuyck owns a 5-2 record with a .920 save percentage and a 2.41 GAA.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Cam Talbot, EDM at ANH ($36): After allowing three goals or more in each of his past six games with an .890 save percentage, Talbot's early-season surge is clearly in the rear view mirror. Edmonton also sports an underwhelming 47.81 Corsi For percentage on the road this year. With 26 goalies to choose from, there's little incentive to spend up for Talbot.
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CENTER
Charlie Coyle, MIN vs. CAL ($14): Slightly above minimum price, Coyle faces a soft matchup and has posted solid offensive numbers to start the campaign. Calgary has surrendered a league-high 3.63 goals per game, and Coyle's 2.19 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five ranks 46th among skaters with at least 150 minutes this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Thornton, SAN at CAR ($18): The Hurricanes allow the seventh-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes (19.41) and fifth-fewest shots per game (27.9), so while they're allowing 3.21 goals per game (sixth-most in the league), this might not be the dreamy matchup it looks like at first glance. Additionally, Thornton offers a low fantasy floor given he's registered just 11 shots on net through 15 games.
WING
James Neal, NAS at TOR ($21): Toronto is playing high-event games, which is favorable to their opponents. The Maple Leafs have surrendered the third-most scoring chances per 60 minutes (24.77) and third-most goals per game (3.6), while Neal has hit his stride with six goals, nine points and 26 shots over his past seven games. He's also averaging 19:31 per night (3:57 on the power play) with a plus-7 rating. His salary doesn't match the recent uptick in results or the matchup.
Mikko Rantanen, COL vs. LOS ($12): After scoring 60 points through 52 games in the AHL last year, Rantanen stands out at minimum price. Additionally, he's averaged 19:16 of ice time over the past five games, including 3:42 with the man advantage. Los Angeles isn't a perfect matchup, but the Kings are without their No. 1 goalie and top center because of injuries. In terms of cap relief, it's difficult to find a better fit than Rantanen.
WINGERS TO AVOID
Jamie Benn, DAL at NJD ($27): The Devils allow the third-fewest goals per game (2.14) and fourth-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes (18.19) in the league while playing a system geared towards low-event games. It's not a recipe for fantasy success, which makes Benn's hefty salary less appealing. Fading an elite talent is far less risky in a deep player pool.
Johnny Gaudreau, CAL at MIN ($23): Home-road splits aren't sure-fire predictors, but Gaudreau's road resume is telling. The pint-sized winger morphs into a middling fantasy asset away from Calgary with 55 points (19 goals) through 87 games and a minus-14 rating. Plus, Minnesota is allowing the fewest goals per game (2.0) and sixth-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes (19.11).
DEFENSE
Jacob Trouba, WPG vs. CHI ($16): In just his second game of the season, Trouba received 27:53 of ice time with 4:39 on the man advantage. He's also totalled five shots and seven blocked shots through his first two outings, highlighting his high fantasy floor. At this salary, there is plenty of upside because Trouba doesn't need to hit the score sheet to return value.
Mathew Dumba, MIN vs. CGY ($13): Near minimum price and in a cushy matchup, Dumba stands out as an excellent source of cap relief. He has 23 shots on net over his past 10 games with a plus-5 rating and 2:32 of power-play time per night. The Flames are tied for the most goals allowed per game in the league (3.63) and allow a healthy 10.5 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11th-most in the league).
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Zach Werenski, CLM at WAS ($21): Dating back to last season, Washington is 33-10-4 at home while allowing just 2.26 goals per game. Werenski has been an elite contributor thus far, but finding a softer matchup is advised. A lot has gone right early for the rookie and the Blue Jackets, but the pendulum could swing in the opposite direction quickly against a top-tier club.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at STL ($21): A road game in St. Louis is a daunting matchup. Six of Ristolainen's eight assists have come on the man advantage, and the Blues have allowed a single power-play tally all season and own a third-ranked 97.1 penalty-kill percentage. Plus, with a career minus-71 rating, his plus-minus risk has the potential to cut into any offensive production.
