This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Monday's slate sees the second wave of Game 3s, and there are plenty of good options to go around. Here are some of the best values...
Goalie
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. BOS ($24)
Andersen is the lowest priced goalie on the board Monday and he actually presents a great value considering all of the perceived uncertainty surrounding him. The Leafs defense allows many shots on goal each game, which gives the Danish keeper ample opportunity to make saves and gives him a decently high floor -- he's recorded at least 9.6 fantasy points in his last six starts. Although Andersen isn't a lock to win, he's still a relatively safe start.
Goalie to Avoid
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. CGY ($35)
Grubauer has been in good form lately and that has led to his standing at the top of goalie pricing, but keep in mind that he will be making just his fourth career playoff start Monday. Experience isn't everything, but it certainly helps assuage concerns, especially when the goalie in question has allowed two goals or more in his last eight games even on low-shot days. The German's poorer home splits doesn't help his argument either.
Center
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS @ CAR ($23)
It's hard to stand out when you play with Alex Ovechkin in almost every situation, so its once again easy to overlook all that Backstrom has accomplished recently -- the 31-year-old shows six goals, two assists and 14 shots on goal in his last five contests. The defending Stanley Cup champions are locked in to playoff mode right now, so Backstrom represents a relatively cheap and reliable way to get in on the action.
Center to Avoid
Sean Monahan, CGY @ COL ($25)
Monahan is undoubtedly a gifted scorer, but the problem with taking him is his inconsistency and lack of opportunity. The Ontario native has recorded points in just half of his last eight contests and is averaging just 16:27 of average ice time over that span, which includes just 14:16 in Game 1 of this series. Monahan's listing price seems like a bit too much risk in this situation and you can find better values elsewhere.
Wings
Alexander Radulov, DAL vs. NSH ($26)
Radulov has been an absolute offensive machine for the Stars lately, racking up 13 points with 27 shots on goal in the nine contests before going pointless in his last game. It's significant to note this because the last time the Russian winger went consecutive games without a point was Feb 19. Radulov has been dynamite with linemate Tyler Seguin and has also racked up over half of his points on home ice this season.
Nino Niederreiter, CAR vs. WAS ($17)
Niederreiter's game has picked up considerably since he was traded from Minnesota in mid-January, as he attained 30 points in 36 regular season games with the Hurricanes. The 26-year-old often runs with Sebastian Aho at even strength and with the first power play, where he has managed seven points. The rowdy playoff atmosphere in Raleigh will surely fire up the home team, so line up Niederreiter as a low-priced waiver.
Wings to Avoid
Filip Forsberg, NSH @ DAL ($22)
Since sustaining a hand injury earlier this season, Forsberg has not looked quite like what we've come to expect from him, as he's posted 28 points and a minus-3 rating in the 40 games since returning in early January. Dallas averaged a league-best 2.24 goals allowed per game on home ice during the regular season, so it may be tough for the Nashville offense to get anything going Monday.
Elias Lindholm, CGY @ COL ($21)
Lindholm is riding an extended cold streak at the moment, as he shows just three assists and 18 shots on goal in his last 13 games, not once breaking the 10-fantasy-point plateau in any game over that period. Additionally, the Swede does not generally play his best offensive hockey on away ice, as only 36 of his points have come in those situations. This price isn't workable for that kind of uncertainty.
Defensemen
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. NSH ($16)
Heiskanen almost scored two goals in the first game of this series, but his second was instead changed to an assist. While close doesn't necessarily count here, it does tell us that the rookie defenseman is currently heavily involved in the Stars' offensive schemes -- this is backed up by the fact that he scored a power-play goal in Game 1 and averaged almost five minutes of power-play ice time in Game 2.
Matt Grzelcyk, BOS @ TOR ($13)
With Torey Krug (undisclosed) potentially sidelined for Game 3, Grzelcyk has an immense opportunity in front of him -- the Massachusetts native already proved his worth by recording a power-play assist on 3:15 of man advantage ice time in Game 2, and he'll likely step into the second even-strength defensive pairing for the next contest if Krug can't go. At this price, this is a very worthy risk to free up some budget space.
Defensemen to Avoid
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. BOS ($21)
It's difficult to justify using a player at this price who has recorded no goals, four assists and a minus-3 rating in his 12 games since March 19, but that is currently where we are with Rielly. That sort of production is too risky when there are more reliable defensemen on the slate, especially true given that the 25-year-old has not recorded a goal against the Bruins in six games and 17 shots on goal thus far.
Esa Lindell, DAL vs. NSH ($18)
Again, this is just a question of value. Lindell has been very unproductive from an offensive standpoint lately, showing just three points and 32 shots on goal in his last 22 contests. Alluded to above, there are much more sure picks for scoring at or below this price point -- many of whom were not mentioned in this article -- so don't pay attention to something that is less than sure.
