This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's six-game slate could feature a lot of scoring given the teams taking to the ice. Check out some of the best values you'll find for the slate.
Goalie
Carter Hart, PHI vs. MIN ($29)
Hart has just three wins after nine starts into his young career, but it's not entirely his fault considering how bad the team in front of him has been supporting him. Monday's enticing home matchup with the Wild -- a team that has lost four of its last five while averaging 3.60 goals allowed over that time span -- should give the rookie keeper and the Flyers a chance to turn it around.
Goalie to Avoid
Pheonix Copley, WAS vs. STL ($34)
Copley's situation is actually the inverse of Hart's in a sense, as the two have been playing at a similar level, but the former is playing for a much better team. Thus, Copley ends up with the highest goalie price of the day, though he has recently gone through one of his roughest stretches of the season, winning one game in his last three tries. The Blues offense has woken up recently too, so don't fall for the trap.
Center
Sean Couturier, PHI vs. MIN ($20)
Couturier's middle-of-the-road pricing gives him tremendous value in this slate considering his recent production and wealth of opportunity. The 26-year-old is on a point-per-game pace over his last six contests, firing 20 shots on goal and averaging 3:45 of power-play ice time during that span. As mentioned, this Minnesota team is vulnerable and Couturier's high level of involvement in the Philadelphia offense could pay dividends.
Center to Avoid
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. STL ($25)
When selecting a player in this price range, it's reasonable to expect some potential goal production from him, which is not a service that Backstrom has been able to provide lately -- the Swedish pivot has recorded just one goal in his last 17 contests, having taken only 26 shots on net over that time. Backstrom's floor is decent, but that won't make him a good value at this price point where you should be expecting a higher ceiling.
Wings
Alex DeBrincat, CHI @ NJ ($18)
DeBrincat is hot as can be at the moment, as he is on a five-game goal streak that saw him nab two scores against the Golden Knights. The Michigan native and linemate Jonathan Toews seem to have great chemistry both at even strength and with the man advantage, leading to huge opportunities. Many were aware of DeBrincat's potential to play at this high a level, so take advantage of his daily price while it's still low.
David Perron, STL @ WAS ($17)
Speaking of hot streaks, Perron finds himself in the midst of a scorching one right now, as he has four goals, 13 points and a plus-7 rating in his last 10 contests, which includes at least a point in every game. The veteran winger is essentially the focal point of this offense right now, both at full strength and on the power play, so fire him up against a Washington defense and goalie that can be had.
Wings to Avoid
Kyle Palmieri, NJ vs. CHI ($20)
Palmieri has been incredibly streaky throughout the course of the campaign, going through bouts of great play and others of not-so-great play. Right now, the American forward is experiencing one of the latter, as he shows two points and a minus-3 rating over the last eight games, and he's had a negative rating in three straight. He's clearly in a funk too given his lofty shot totals and power-play ice time, so steer clear right now.
Brendan Gallagher, MON @ BOS ($19)
Gallagher is very much the boom-or-bust type of player that you try to stay away from when crafting a lineup -- he's an aggressive offensive threat that scores goals, but he struggles to get involved offensively otherwise, as shown by just nine assists on the campaign. Monday's showdown with Boston does not bode well for the Edmonton native, as the Bruins allow the second-fewest average goals and Gallagher has had limited success against them in his first three tries.
Defensemen
Torey Krug, BOS vs. MON ($20)
On the other end of the ice from Gallagher, Krug will be looking to get on the scoresheet for the eighth time in as many games. The American blueliner managed two assists and a plus-3 rating in his first three battles with the Canadiens this season and has also been excellent offensively at home, posting 19 points in 17 games at TD Garden. Look for him to take advantage of the 19th-ranked penalty killing unit in the NHL.
Erik Gustafsson, CHI @ NJ ($17)
Gustafsson is currently riding an eight-game assist streak that has seen him acquire 11 apples, an astounding seven of which were on the power play. The lefty defenseman is not afraid to shoot the puck, as evidenced when he fired five on goal against the Predators on Wednesday, and he should have a good opportunity to break loose against a New Jersey squad that has struggled at both ends of the ice.
Defensemen to Avoid
Jared Spurgeon, MIN @ PHI ($18)
With Matt Dumba (pectoral) on injured reserve, Spurgeon was expected to step up and replace the production, and while he's done that to some extent, it hasn't been consistent. The 29-year-old has seven points in the last 13 contests, but all the tallies have come in three games. Take those games away, and you're left with no points and an ugly minus-8 rating in 10 contests. There are better, more reliable options in this price range.
Vince Dunn, STL @ WAS ($18)
Another player who isn't really worth it in this price range is Dunn, who cannot give you sufficient bang for your buck considering his lack of usage -- the second year man averages 17:42 of ice time per game, dipping as low as the 11-minute range in some games. This, coupled with the fact that he does not shoot or block a lot of shots, gives him minimal appeal when there are so many exciting options out there.
