This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Yahoo is running two-day contests consisting of the two Game 2 bouts between Nashville and Anaheim on Sunday, and Ottawa and Pittsburgh on Monday. Here are a number of players to consider targeting and fading while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. NAS ($29): Expect a rebound showing from Anaheim on Sunday. The Ducks showed consistent resiliency in Round 2 against Edmonton, and it was a tough schedule spot in Game 1 with Nashville having four days off to rest and prepare, whereas Anahim had just a single day. Gibson's salary is also the lowest of all four goalies.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Craig Anderson, OTT at PIT ($33): The Penguins came out flat in Game 1. Expecting the defending champs to play poorly in consecutive games is ill-advised. After all, they had just a single day of rest after an emotional seven-game series in Round 2 against Washington. Additionally, Anderson's salary climbed following Saturday's strong showing, so there isn't much room for profit.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest now]
CENTER
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NAS ($18): With a goal, six assists and 20 shots during Round 2 against Edmonton, Kesler is a solid mid-priced target to consider. He logged 4:32 of power-play time during Game 1 against Nashville and was on the ice for 12 scoring chances. If the Ducks are going to even the series, Kesler will be a key cog.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan Johansen, NAS at ANA ($18): After consecutive multi-point showings, look for Johansen to come down to earth Sunday. Anaheim has a daunting trio of centers to match up against in Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf and Antoine Vermette, and all three play the two-way game capable of shutting down a line. Johansen has just 13 shots through 11 playoff games, too, so his fantasy floor is low.
WING
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. NAS ($21): After looking dominant for stretches of Game 1, Silfverberg is a nice stack option alongside Kesler. The duo share the ice at even strength and are both on the No. 1 power-play unit. Silfverberg scored an unassisted goal Friday and is now up to eight tallies, four assists and 51 shots through 12 postseason games. His confidence with the puck was on full display in Game 1, and it highlights his growth as a scorer.
Bryan Rust, PIT vs. OTT ($16): Skating with Sidney Crosby is a huge boon to Rust's fantasy stock, and the duo has combined for 3.81 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two regular seasons. Rust has also scored five goals and registered 28 shots through 13 playoff games, including four shots in Game 1. This salary opens cap space to spend up elsewhere, too.
WING TO AVOID
Filip Forsberg, NAS at ANA ($23): This should be a back-and-forth series, which has the Preds eyeing a tough matchup Sunday. Forsberg has been solid during the postseason with four goals and five assists, but he's also eight games removed from his last multi-point showing. In his price range, it's difficult to reach value without marking the scoresheet multiple times.
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. OTT ($22): Dropped down the depth chart, Hornqvist registered just a single shot in Game 1 and he has just two goals through his past seven playoff games. A bounceback showing is within reach, but spending up for a third-line winger in poor form can backfire in a hurry.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. OTT ($22): Even with just a single assist through his past four games, Schultz's role on the No. 1 power-play unit keeps him in play for Game 2 on Monday. Before the recent slide, Schultz posted two goals, seven points, 16 shots and 12 blocked shots through nine games, and he's averaged 3:48 of power-play time during the playoffs. There is a nice floor-ceiling combo here.
Mattias Ekholm, NAS at ANA ($12): With a contest-minimum salary, Ekholm's significant role provides a nice fantasy floor to count on while also providing cap relief for your lineup. He's coming off a breakout Game 1 showing, and with an average of 25:16 of ice time per contest, he has plenty of opportunity to pad his point total in the peripheral categories.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NAS at ANA ($24): Consistently matching up against the opponent's top players takes a toll over time, and Josi faced Anaheim's best players throughout Game 1. He was on the ice for more scoring chances against than for Friday, and even with Nashville allowing just 16 goals all postseason, Josi owns only a plus-2 rating despite registered eight points himself. That highlights the daunting in-game matchups he receives nightly.
Sami Vatanen, ANA vs. NAS ($16): It's been a disappointing playoff run for Vatanen, and he posted a disastrous 32.0 Corsi For percentage in Game 1. He has just one assist, 12 shots and a minus-3 rating through seven games, which doesn't moving the fantasy needle. Worst of all, though, Vatanen wasn't deployed with the No. 1 power-play unit Friday.
