This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
On Saturday, 22 teams will take the ice for a week-high 11 games, meaning plenty of options for your lineup. It figures to be a nice day for goalies with the five worst offenses this season in action.
Canucks goalie Ryan Miller likely will get the nod against his former team, not to mention in Buffalo. These games are always huge for veterans like Miller, so you could ride that logic to a nice fantasy performance.
Braden Holtby, who allowed a goal on 29 shots Thursday against the Bruins second-ranked offense, will get the Leafs at home. If you're willing to spend the money, Holtby is a safe bet.
The Ducks are starting to fly a bit, so err to the side of caution when considering Sharks goalie Martin Jones. These rivalry games bring out the best in players like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.
Plenty of goalies have the potential to put up big points Saturday, so picking the right forwards and defensemen is even more crucial. Despite that, we'll start with goalie like always.
GOALIE
Ondrej Pavelec, WPG vs. PHI, ($31) - Holtby and Miller also make a lot of sense if you're willing to spend a bit more, but Pavelec probably has the best matchup of all three against the Flyers. Philadelphia has scored just nine goals on its six-game losing streak and will have a tough time keeping up with the Jets. Pavelec hasn't been great this season, but he's beaten the opponents that he should.
Goalie to Avoid:
Mike Condon, MTL vs. BOS ($39) - With Carey Priced sidelined, Condon figures to be in net for one of the biggest rivalry games in hockey. Condon has been fantastic, but this is his first start against Boston, so nerves could set in a bit. Plus, the Habs and the Bruins are the two highest-scoring teams in the NHL, so this game should be a barn-burner. As the highest priced goalie in Yahoo Daily Fantasy, it makes little sense to insert Condon into your lineup outside of a home-run play.
CENTER
Tyler Johnson, TB at MIN ($20) - The popular "Triplets" line was broken up recently with Ondrej Palat moving to the first line and Alex Killorn dropping down with Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. This has quietly added a spark to Johnson, who has a point in three consecutive games. The Wild have been in some crazy, high-scoring affairs this season, so bank on the Bolts getting on top early like they did Thursday against the Sabres. Minnesota's penalty kill ranks 23rd, and while Tampa Bay's PP has struggled, the Wild could be the perfect remedy.
Center to Avoid:
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. PIT ($20) - Monahan likely will be matched up against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin all game, which isn't good considering how poorly Calgary has been on defense. The Penguins are also top five in goals allowed and penalty kill percentage. Pittsburgh is on a back-to-back, so while fatigue may set in, they could keep the momentum going from Friday.
WING
Nino Niederreiter, MIN vs. TBL ($15) - After Zach Parise left Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Predators, Niederreiter stepped into his role at the Wild's top right winger. He finished with 20:30 of ice time, but was held scoreless. Regardless, the opportunity to take advantage of increased playing time is there for Niederreiter. He has pretty good odds of hitting value given his price tag and expected ice time.
Max Pacioretty, MTL vs. BOS ($24) - It's been six games since Pacioretty's last goal, but with the Bruins coming to town Saturday, he'll have plenty of opportunities to get one past Tuukka Rask. He grabbed two assists in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Islanders, so his line comprised of Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec is still scoring. If you're looking for cheap wings with a plus-matchup, there are plenty of Rangers to pick from, as well.
Wings to Avoid:
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. NSH ($27) - With Jake Allen (1.93 GAA, .935 Sv%) and Pekka Rinne (1.98 GAA, .926 Sv%) in net for the Blues and Preds, respectively, this game should be tight. There's no question this is a risky move, as Tarasenko is one of the more lethal goal scorers in the NHL. But isn't that what daily fantasy is all about, taking risks? Tarasenko has just two goals in his last six games, so he isn't exactly on fire going into Saturday. As one of the highest-priced wings, fading Tarasenko is the smart play.
Jaromir Jagr, FLA at LAK ($20) - I hate to say it but maybe Jagr's magic is beginning to diminish a bit, at least when it comes to fantasy production. He's gone three straight games without a point and is coming off his worst game of the season, finishing minus-4 in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Sharks. Jagr's linemates, Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau, haven't done enough this season and it's killing the 43-year-old's game.
DEFENSEMEN
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. OTT ($22) - Faulk ranks third among defensemen in the NHL with 42 shots. The Senators are allowing the second-most shots per game at 33.5. Faulk is insanely talented and should eat up Ottawa's soft defense and inability to kill penalties. You know he will get plenty of ice time on Carolina's thin blue line.
Hampus Lindholm, ANA vs. SJS ($15) - The Ducks are playing their best hockey of the season, which isn't saying much, but should increase the value of Lindholm. He posted 34 points in 78 games last season when Anaheim looked like a real team, so now is the time to catch him while the Ducks are hot and he's cheap. Half of Lindholm's points are on the power play, an area where the Sharks have struggled this season.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Andrei Markov, MTL vs. BOS ($22) - Since exploding for five points Oct. 23, Markov has gone goalless with four assists in seven games. His price has a mean hangover from that big game against the Sabres and the 36-year-old Markov isn't worth paying up for, especially at the low-scoring defense position.
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. PIT ($21) - The Penguins are coming to town and will look to exploit a Flames defense that has be one of the biggest disappointments in the NHL. Giordano, like Monahan, will have his hands full containing the superstar studded roster of Pittsburgh. It's hard to pay this much for Giordano when Victory Hedman is $19.
