This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are just two games in the NHL on Saturday. The Rangers and Senators are tied at 2-2 and play in the afternoon, while the Capitals face elimination on home ice against Pittsburgh. Here are a number of players to consider targeting and fading while assembling your lineups from the shallow player pool.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. PIT ($26): Considering you need to roster two goalies, and the Capitals are in a must-win spot, Holtby's position-low salary is in play. A number of skaters are more expensive than the backstop, and Holtby is coming off a dominant regular season with a .925 save percentage and 2.07 GAA. A Washington push back and strong showing from Holtby shouldn't be surprising.
Goalie to Avoid
Craig Anderson, OTT vs. NYR ($29): The Senators are falling apart, and Erik Karlsson --their best player -- didn't finish Game 4. Anderson has also has a 3.95 GAA and .878 save percentage through the past three games of the series, and Ottawa was outplayed by a wide margin in all three. Specifically, the Blueshirts have generated 15.67 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while allowing just 7.69, which doesn't bode well for Anderson's fantasy prospects.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. PIT ($21): With four points (three goals) through the first four games of the series, Kuznetsov has upped his game in Round 2. The smooth playmaker has also been on the ice for 16.96 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. Of particular importance, Kuznetsov's secondary role should continues to help him avoid the Penguins' top defenders, too.
Center to Avoid
Sidney Crosby, PIT at WAS ($35): If news breaks that Crosby (concussion) isn't playing well before puck drop, this is a no-brainer, but it wouldn't be surprising if Pittsburgh withholds the news until after the pregame skate. At his salary, it's a huge risk. Crosby has been dominant during the postseason (11 points through eight games), and he could produce to his price, but it'll take a multi-point effort.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT at WAS ($25): The winger has marked the scoresheet in six of nine playoff games for four goals, 12 points and 32 shots. Kessel has also scored 27 goals and 55 points through 55 career postseason games and is locked into a go-to offensive role. Additionally, dating back to the regular season, he's gone 15 contests without a multi-game point drought. The reliable contributor will look to make it 16 games after failing to register a point in Game 4.
Chris Kreider, NYR at OTT ($20): The Rangers took over this series on home ice, and Krieder's improved play on the No. 1 line with Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello was a key factor. Kreider has two goals and eight shots through the past three games, and he's been on the ice for an incredible 20.98 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes during the series. The Senators have also allowed 13 goals in the past three contests.
Wings to Avoid
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at WAS ($23): This is a hefty price for Hornqvist. His three goals, three helpers and 25 shots through nine games is solid production, but the winger also has posted just one multi-point game and missed the scoresheet entirely in four of nine playoff outings. With Washington eyeing a must-win game, it would be surprising if the Capitals didn't play a sound 200-foot game. Hornqvist has also averaged just 14:40 of ice time per game during the postseason.
Bobby Ryan, OTT vs. NYR ($17): After a dominant Round 1 showing against Boston (four goals and seven points in six games), Ryan has just an assist and eight shots through four games against the Rangers. He also left Game 4 briefly with an undisclosed injury. With New York grabbing the momentum of the series and outplaying Ottawa, counting on Ryan finding his offensive groove again is risky.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at OTT ($21): The New York captain has become a reliable fantasy asset as the playoffs have progressed. McDonagh has notched six points, 16 shots and 20 blocked shots while logging a hefty 27:36 of ice time (2:56 on the power play) through the past seven games, and he's also been on the ice for 20.38 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the series. This salary isn't prohibitive enough to ignore McDonagh in a shallow player pool.
Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. PIT ($17): Another cross-category contributor to target, Niskanen has been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes among all Washington blue liners. With his early exit in Game 3 in mind, the defenseman still has a goal, an assist and 14 shots in the series. Niskanen has also seen over two minutes of power-play time in his past two full games, so time with the man advantage provides a nice value boost.
Defensemen to Avoid
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. NYR ($30): Currently nursing two hairline fractures in his left foot, and potentially sustaining another injury in Game 4, there is no way Karlsson will be close to 100 percent. The Rangers have made a point to make his life uncomfortable, and that isn't going to change. Additionally, the Norris candidate has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games while posting a minus-4 rating. He's clearly less mobile, and his skating ability is his biggest weapon.
Ian Cole, PIT at WAS ($18): With a 43.85 Corsi For percentage during the series and a consistent matchup against Washington's second line, Cole is a risky fantasy option for Game 5. The Evgeni Kuznetsov-Marcus Johansson-Justin Williams trio has been the most dangerous line for the Capitals, and Cole doesn't own target-worthy offensive upside.
