This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers' magical run ended Thursday night with a 2-1 loss to the Lightning. Prior to the loss, Lundqvist had won six consecutive games while averaging 18.25 fantasy points per contest. If the King gets the nod Saturday against the Panthers, he will be a very hot commodity in GPP's as a safe bet to produce more than 15 FPts. If you're looking for another elite netminder whose been hot lately, Pekka Rinne has posted back-to-back 20-point performances, allowing just two goals on 58 shots with a shutout last Saturday against the Jets.
Speaking of red-hot goalies, Maple Leafs' James Reimer would be an attractive option Saturday if he hadn't been in net Friday against the Hurricanes. Instead, Jonathan Bernier likely will get the start against one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL, the Bruins. With Bernier in net, the Bruins are a safe bet to surpass their season average of three goals per game, so expect high ownership from Boston's top scorers.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. TOR ($31) - In 17 career appearances against the Maple Leafs, Rask is 11-3-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage. If that doesn't do it for you, Rask should face Jonathan Bernier and not James Reimer, which will give him enough goal support to at the very least get the win. Rask was lit up Tuesday but has had plenty of time to dwell on that performance and rest for the big rivalry matchup Saturday. He's one of the cheaper options on the night, and while his ownership may be a bit high for GPPs, he's a no-brainer in cash games.
Goalie to Avoid:
Reto Berra, COL at WSH ($34) - Berra has started six straight games, and with Semyon Varlamov still on the mend, he'll likely be in net for a seventh Saturday. He's allowed four goals in back-to-back contests and appears to be wearing down, which doesn't bode well with the Avs heading to the nation's capital for a date with Alex Ovechkin and the Caps. Colorado allows nearly three goals per game and is starting to show signs of fatigue playing the sixth game of a seven-game road trip. There are much cheaper options than Berra who offer way more upside.
Center
David Krejci, BOS vs. TOR ($22) - The Bruins' top-line center has posted two assists in back-to-back games and likely will get a nice matchup against a vulnerable Maple Leafs penalty kill. If Loui Eriksson can follow up Thursday's hat trick with another solid performance, Krejci should be the main beneficiary. Krejci has scored more points against the Maple Leafs than any team throughout his career, posting 13 goals and 39 points in 41 games.
Center to Avoid:
Claude Giroux, PHI at OTT ($22) - In this week's edition of "players returning home where they don't really play that well," we have Giroux, who seems to disappear when he goes back to Ottawa. In 24 career games against the Senators, Giroux has just four goals and is minus-12. The Flyers' offense disappeared again Thursday against the Sharks, and Giroux just isn't generating enough shots to be relied on in daily formats.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI at VAN ($34) - Chances are I'm going to jinx Kaner's points streak with this, but I don't even think my voodoo can stop the hottest hockey player on the planet. The last time Kane didn't register a point was more than a month ago on Oct. 15 against the Capitals. Since then, he's erupted on a 14-game points streak, and even though he's the highest priced winger in the Yahoo game, Kane is a virtual lock for double-digit fantasy points. Like Steph Curry in NBA DFS, Kane's high ownership shouldn't deter you from using him on any night he takes the ice.
Valeri Nichushkin, DAL vs. BUF ($13) - If you're looking for a cheaper option than Kane, Nichushkin just got some praise from coach Lindy Ruff, and the Sabres have been pretty easy to score on this season (he netted a score against Buffalo on Tuesday). It obviously hurts that the big Russian forward isn't playing with Tyler Seguin or Jamie Benn or Jason Spezza or Patrick Sharp or ... well you get it, but Nichushkin at least has a point in back-to-back games.
Wings to Avoid:
Filip Forsberg, NSH at MIN ($22) - A Calder Trophy snub from last season, Forsberg is mired in a pretty intense goal drought; it's been 13 games since he scored against the Islanders on Oct. 15. The Predators have been one of the higher scoring teams in the league this season, but they spread it around quite a bit; 20 players have at least a goal. If you're going to invest in Nashville, look to the blue line or in net, not to the forward group.
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. SJ ($23) - We've had plenty of time to observe the Kessel experiment in Pittsburgh, and so far it hasn't really panned out the way the Penguins envisioned. Kessel has scored just six goals in 19 games and hasn't found the back of the net in his last five. San Jose is on a four-game winning streak with goalie Martin Jones playing solid over that stretch, and it's tough to invest in any of the Penguins' elite players.
Defensemen
Alex Goligoski, DAL vs. BUF ($19) - Goligoski's defensive partner, John Klingberg, has been one of the top blueliners in fantasy hockey this season. Unfortunately, that has made him quite expensive, so targeting a player like Goligoski, who had two assists after the Sabres on Tuesday, is the smarter player in daily formats. Another plus is Goligoski's 45 blocked shots this season, which ranks 10th in the league. Even if he doesn't get on the scoresheet, between blocks, shots and plus-minus, Goligoski should be able to reach tournament value.
Duncan Keith, CHI at VAN ($22) - Keith has a point in all three games since returning from injury and remains affordable in a game that should be relatively high scoring. Coach Joel Quenneville really didn't waste any time bringing Keith back up to speed as he's seen his usual 25-plus minutes a night. If you're looking for value in your cash-game lineups, Keith is the guy for you Saturday.
Defenseman to Avoid
John Carlson, WSH vs. COL ($20) - Carlson looked like a breakout candidate after the first two weeks of the season, but now he's plummeted in that respect. He has just a goal and an assist in his last 11 games, and while he has a good matchup against the Avs at home, there are much better options for about the same price at defenseman. Players like Torey Krug, Kevin Shattenkirk and even youngster Rasmus Ristolainen offer more upside than Carlson.
