This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
This four-game slate features some lopsided matchups that will give some fantasy players the edge over others. Here are some of the best values you can get for Monday's action.
Goalie
Martin Jones, SJ vs. NJ ($26)
It's definitely been a disappointing start to the campaign for Jones, but that shouldn't stop you from picking him up here at a tremendous value. The Canadian keeper has been less bad at home thus far, showing a .904 save percentage and actually compiling a very respectable 7-2-2 record there. Jones' supporting cast should be able to take advantage of a vulnerable Devils squad in an advantageous home matchup.
Goalie to Avoid
Casey DeSmith, PIT @ NYI ($34)
Monday's matchup at Nassau Coliseum is not a favorable one for DeSmith, who has generally been poor on the road this season anyway, showing a .918 save percentage and 2-3-2 record. The New Hampshire native allowed two goals in just 24 minutes of action against the Islanders on Oct. 30 and has allowed at least two goals in nine of his last ten games, so don't bet on him at this price against this solid offense.
Center
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. LA ($20)
Larkin has come on very strong recently, putting up nine points in the last eight contests. It's also quite encouraging that the Michigan native is trusting himself to shoot more often, as he has taken at least five shots in six different contests over the last 11 games and is averaging an excellent 4.64 shots per game over that span. He should be able to take advantage of a very weak LA squad.
Center to Avoid
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. PIT ($21)
Barzal has been embroiled in a pretty serious sophomore slump, and it has been especially bad lately -- the 21-year-old has just two points in his last six contests and has not scored in a game since Nov. 23. The fact that he has just three goals all season is also very alarming considering he dropped 22 in his Calder Trophy run last season. He's just too risky to trust at this price point.
Wings
Jake Guentzel, PIT @ NYI ($22)
Having Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel as linemates is certainly helpful, but Guentzel is a certified stud in his own right and has been hot lately, racking up six goals, 13 points and 29 shots over the last 10 games. The American winger collected three assists on the Islanders last Thursday, so the opportunity is clearly there at a pretty fair price.
Ondrej Palat, TB vs. NYR ($16)
The one advantage that Palat holds over basically every other winger at this price tag is the company he keeps -- the Czech mans the left side of his line with Yanni Gourde on the right and Steven Stamkos, who has been red-hot lately, in the middle. The Rangers rank 29th in the NHL with 4.14 average goals allowed on the road, so look for Palat to get on the scoresheet in this attractive matchup.
Wings to Avoid
Kyle Palmieri, NJ @ SJ ($23)
The fact that Palmieri has scored four goals in his last two games might get people excited, but he's really not worth the reach to this price considering his potential to be a bust. The veteran winger had managed just two points and a minus-2 rating in the nine games prior to this scoring outburst and has been considerably bad in away games this season, showing just eight goals and a terrible minus-10 rating.
Chris Kreider, NYR @ TB ($19)
Kreider has recorded just two points in the last seven games, but perhaps what's more concerning for this matchup in particular is that he also shows a minus-5 rating over that span. This electric Lighting attack could very well make things difficult for the Massachusetts native defensively, making this a very risky choice. It's also worth noting that Kreider has just nine points and a minus-7 rating in 14 road game this season.
Defensemen
Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYR ($23)
After a relatively slow start to the season beset by injury, Hedman is finally starting to stuff the scoresheet, as he now has 10 points in his last 12 games, showing a plus-8 rating and averaging 2.75 shots on goal per game over that span. The goals will come by virtue of the high shot volume and the Russian blueliner's status on a potent power play, so you can trust him here against an average Rangers squad.
Mike Green, DET vs. LA ($17)
You're not picking Green here as much as you are picking against the Kings -- the team from Los Angeles has been truly terrible on both ends of the ice this year, and it now shares the distinction of fewest points in the standings with the Blackhawks. This is not to say that Green isn't a good pick regardless, as the 33-year-old mans the first power-play unit and has three multi-point outings this season.
Denfesemen to Avoid
Erik Karlsson, SJ vs. NJ ($24)
There's no questioning that Karlsson has been an effective playmaker for the Sharks to this point, but as a value play Monday, he's not looking as good. The Swedish D-man has four points in the last eight games, but the most notable absence in his scoring repertoire is goals, as he has just two on the entire season and none since Nov. 23. You can put the extra cash you would've used on Karlsson to good use elsewhere.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. PIT ($18)
Despite a horrendous season from Leddy thus far, his daily pricing has stood pat at $18 since opening night, which puts him in the middle range of Monday's offerings. The Minnesota native's plus-minus rating has been a disaster once again, and that could be a big problem against this aggressive Pittsburgh front. Don't let the price tag fool you — Leddy will almost never be worth it.
