This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The limited four-game slate Wednesday dictates that daily fantasy players find the best values in advantageous matchups. Here are some ideas on where to find them...
Goalie
Tuukka Rask, BOS @ DET ($26)
Rask's price is astoundingly low considering his recent play and the excellent opportunity he has in front of him Wednesday. In his last five appearances, the Finnish backstop has posted a stupendous .955 save percentage and has allowed more than one goal in a game just once on his way to four wins over that span. The Red Wings, meanwhile, have scored one goal in four of their last six games.
Goalie to Avoid
Jimmy Howard, DET vs. BOS ($31)
On the other end of the ice in Detroit, you'll find the struggling Howard -- the New York native's fatigue is seemingly catching up with him after 13 straight appearances, as he shows a horrific .837 save percentage and 4.28 GAA over the last six contests. Even if the Red Wings decide to give him a rest, Petr Mrazek is not a good option either against a Boston offense that has apparently found its stride recently.
[Join the free NHL Yahoo Cup. $10K in total prizes with weekly winners]
Center
Kevin Hayes, NYR @ OTT ($15)
Hayes will have the opportunity to bust out offensively Wednesday in both an irregular role and against a struggling, tired opponent. The Massachusetts native is the next man up with Mika Zibanejad (concussion) ruled out, which gives him prime placement on the first line and excessive minutes with the man advantage. The Senators come into Wednesday's contest on a five-game losing streak, which includes Tuesday's loss to Buffalo, so they're seemingly vulnerable to an onslaught.
Center to Avoid
Radek Faksa, DAL @ NYI ($17)
Forwards who don't log heavy minutes aren't inherently a problem, but they can be a problem in daily fantasy when they also don't see any time on the power play. Such is the case with Faksa, making him a gamble at this price. If you need another reason not to trust the 23-year-old, he's scored less than half of his points in away games despite playing four more than at home.
Wing
Alexander Radulov, DAL @ NYI ($21)
Radulov has been a solid pick all season, but what makes him especially appealing Wednesday is his prominence and potency with the man advantage -- the former KHL stud has accumulated nine of his 25 points on the power play this season where he launches shots from the blue line and helps the effective scorers down low. Here's the kicker: the Islanders kill off penalties at a 73.4 percent clip, the second worst mark in the league.
Craig Smith, NSH @ VAN ($17)
It's always nice to have a high-volume shooter in your lineup and that's what Smith will give you here without breaking the bank. Over the last six games, the Wisconsin native has shot the puck 25 times, which includes two games of six shots each, and he's added five goals over that time to boot. Smith's increased usage on a potent power play is also enticing against the league's 20th-ranked penalty-killing unit.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest or league today]
Wings to Avoid
Mark Stone, OTT vs. NYR ($22)
Stone's price continues to outweigh his production -- before Monday's loss to Buffalo, the 25-year-old had not found the scoresheet in four consecutive games while posting an abysmal minus-10 rating over that span. Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers' defense should present more of a challenge than the Sabres' could, so let Stone ride the pine Wednesday.
Michael Grabner, NYR @ OTT ($18)
Grabner boasts 14 goals on the season, which is impressive to be sure, but it's oddly unsettling because he has only two assists to go with it. This sort of production just isn't sustainable, especially considering his previous career totals and his absurd 22.2 shooting percentage during this campaign. Additionally, his lack of a role on the power play does not set him up for success, even against a hapless Ottawa team.
Defense
Torey Krug, BOS @ DET ($17)
The tradition of Boston hockey has always been based in the defense and Krug has been upholding the tradition as an offensive asset from the blue line. The Michigan native is unafraid to fire the puck, exceeding seven shots in a game twice this season, and has recorded a quarter of his points this season as the power-play quarterback. Look for Krug to take advantage of his hometown team that hasn't been great in either zone.
Esa Lindell, DAL @ NYI ($15)
Lindell represents another option to fade the Islanders' poor penalty-killing unit and he comes at a very affordable price. The 23-year-old Finn has an assist in two consecutive games and has managed a quarter of his point production with the man advantage as well. You won't have to give up much coin to use him, so Lindell is a nice bargain for his level of opportunity Wednesday.
Defensemen to Avoid
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. NYR ($31)
With a Wednesday price a full $5 higher than the next closest defenseman, Karlsson isn't worth it when you consider his poor production to start this season. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has two points and a horrific minus-16 rating in his last 13 games and has lit the lamp himself just once this season, all the way back on Nov. 4. Don't count on it getting better with the Sens coming off a rough loss Tuesday.
Ryan McDonagh, NYR @ OTT ($18)
Things don't get much better on the other end of the ice in Ottawa in terms of value, as the Wednesday asking price for McDonagh is a bit steep considering he has yet to record a goal yet this season. The University of Wisconsin product does not shoot the puck enough -- three times in his last six games to be exact -- so don't pay too much for this kind of sporadic production.
