This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The final NHL slate of 2016 is a busy one, with eight of the day's 11 games taking place in the evening. There are plenty of strong matchups to take advantage of, with the league's four-worst defensive teams all in action. While opponents of the Avalanche, Coyotes, Islanders and Canucks are present in the night's top value plays, there are players from other contests featured as well.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CAR ($29): Vasilevskiy is serving as the starter in Ben Bishop's (lower body) absence, yet he maintains the price of a backup at $29. He has won three of five starts since Bishop went down, and will look to build on that record against a Carolina team that ranks 19th in scoring. Tampa Bay's goalie of the future is getting his shot early, and you should take advantage before his price catches up to his play.
Goalie to Avoid
Chad Johnson, CGY vs. ARI ($40): There's no justification for Johnson being priced higher than any other player at his position, even with the lowly Coyotes coming to town. The former backup to Brian Elliott has allowed 15 goals while dropping four straight, and he could well be wilting under the pressure of a starter's workload after never playing more than 45 games in a season.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. VAN ($19): Draisaitl has been on fire over the past 10 games, with four goals, seven assists and a plus-4 rating in that span. The young center's strong play has earned him plenty of playing time, too, as he has skated over 18 minutes in each of the last nine games. His heavy involvement in one of the league's most dangerous offenses defies Draisaitl's $19 price, and puts him in prime position to capitalize on facing the league's fourth-worst defensive team.
Center to Avoid
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. MON ($35): Crosby has had a fantastic 2016, but is likely to fizzle in his final appearance of the year against star Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. While the most expensive center available has often lived up to his $35 price, doing so against a netminder who comes in with a 1.99 GAA and .931 save percentage will be a tall order.
WINGS
Matt Puempel, NYR at COL ($12): Puempel recorded a hat trick Thursday against the Coyotes, and he is finally realizing the potential that made him the 24th overall pick in the 2011 draft with five points in his past four games. The 23-year-old winger should be able to continue that success against an Avalanche team that has allowed a league-high 3.29 goals per game. Most Rangers make for strong options in this matchup, but Puempel offers the best bang for the buck given his combination of momentum and affordability.
Michael Frolik, CGY vs. ARI ($15): Frolik has capitalized on an increased role with a bump in production, compiling four assists over a three-game point streak while skating over 16 minutes in each contest. His turnaround came just in time to take advantage of a matchup with the second-worst defensive team in the league, and for you to take advantage of his affordability. This combination of price and opponent is too good to pass up for a player of Frolik's caliber.
Wings to Avoid
Michael Grabner, NYR at COL($18): Grabner has declined precipitously in December, managing just two goals and one assist in 13 games. His reduced production has led to a demotion down to the fourth line, resulting in less-skilled linemates and fewer minutes. Paying $18 for a fourth-liner just doesn't make sense, even against an inferior opponent like the Avalanche.
Patrick Marleau, SJ at LA ($16): Marleau is unsurprisingly declining at age 37, and he is on pace for just 30 points. His value took a further hit when he was removed from the top power-play unit earlier this week, making it unlikely that the veteran winger finds his way onto the scoresheet against a Kings team that has allowed just 2.39 goals per game.
DEFENSEMEN
Brett Pesce, CAR at TB ($14): Pesce has a modest nine points this season, but he carries more offensive upside than usual Saturday. He is manning the point on Carolina's top power-play unit with Justin Faulk (lower body) out, and that role could pay dividends against the 25th-ranked Lightning penalty kill. Pesce's plus-5 rating and 2.0 blocks per game this month show his high floor, making him the perfect low-risk, high-reward option at just $14.
Jacob Trouba, WPG vs. NYI ($14): Trouba is closing 2016 strongly, averaging 8.0 fantasy points per game over his past eight. Staying hot shouldn't be a problem against the Islanders, who have allowed the third-most goals per game in the league. His combination of matchup and momentum are too good to pass up, while Trouba's low price allows you to spend big on the rest of your lineup.
Defensemen to Avoid
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. MON ($19): Schultz doesn't block many shots for a defenseman, but he usually makes up for it by contributing in the points and plus-minus categories. This matchup in net will likely limit his effectiveness in both of those aspects, as Canadiens netminder Carey Price doesn't allow many goals, while the absence of Penguins starter Matt Murray could lead to more goals against with Schultz on the ice.
Esa Lindell, DAL vs. FLA ($16): Lindell is priced evenly with teammate John Klingberg, but he brings much less offensive ability to the table. There are cheaper steady defenseman in better matchups available, leaving Lindell in a middle ground where neither risky not conservative players reap maximum benefits from using him.
