This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The main contests at Yahoo consist of Saturday's 12 evening games, so it's a cavernous player pool with lots of value options to target if you're looking to assemble a stars-and-scrubs lineup. The Maple Leafs, Sabres, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Coyotes and Flyers are all playing their second game in consecutive nights, and Nashville, Colorado, Toronto and Winnipeg are the largest favorites on the docket. Here's a peek at recommendations and fades at each position ahead of Saturday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Joseph Woll, TOR at BUF ($20): Most of the boxes are checked with Woll on Saturday. Toronto ranks seventh in the league with 2.5 goals against per 60 minutes and in penalty-kill percentage with an 86.7 mark, and Buffalo is second-last in expected goals per 60 minutes. Woll's position-minimum salary is also a huge bonus. Just remember he's making his NHL debut on the road.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Juuse Saros, NSH vs. ARI ($36): Expect Saros to be among the most popular goalie targets Saturday, as he lands a cushy matchup against the league's worst team. Arizona has scored just 1.56 goals per 60 minute, after all. However, the Coyotes generate the fewest shot attempts per 60 in the league, so Saros might not face enough shots to justify his high salary. Of course, there's still shutout potential.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. MON ($18): With just a single goal on 4.3 percent shooting through his past five games, look for puck luck to turn in Larkin's favor Saturday. He's registered 23 shots, 38 attempts and 14 individual high-danger scoring chances during the noted stretch, and Montreal has surrendered the sixth-most goals per 60 minutes and ranks 29th in penalty-kill percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SJ at COL ($21): After a hot start, Couture has cooled down to the tune of two tallies, two helpers and 16 shots through the past eight contests. Additionally, he's only averaging 18:52 of ice time per game (2:10 with the man advantage) and has registered just four individual high-danger scoring chances. Colorado also ranks sixth in expected goals against at five-on-five per 60 minutes and eighth in penalty-kill percentage.
WING
Roope Hintz, DAL vs. PHI ($17): This is a soft salary for Hintz, and he should have plenty of quality looks with the Flyers in a vulnerable spot in their schedule, as Philadelphia is playing its third game in four nights. Additionally, Hintz has some positive statistical regression ahead. He's scored just a single goal this season despite registering 32 shots, 46 attempts and 18 individual high-danger scoring chances.
Philip Tomasino, NSH vs. ARI ($10): Not only are the Coyotes playing their second road game in consecutive nights, they also rank last in the league in goals against per game and 30th in penalty-kill percentage. Tomasino is playing in a top-six role and skating with the second power-play unit, so he's a solid minimum-salary target. He paces Nashville forwards in shot attempts through the past four games, too.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at TB ($29): There could be statistical correction ahead for Huberdeau, as he's gone eight games without scoring a goal. However, he's registered just 12 shots, 22 attempts and four individual high-danger scoring chances during that stretch. Additionally, the Lightning aren't a favorable matchup with the fifth-fewest expected goals against at five-on-five and a respectable 83.7 percent penalty kill.
Kirill Kaprizov, MIN at SEA ($26): With the Kraken ranking third in expected goals against per 60 minutes, and Kaprizov's hefty salary, there's reason to consider avoiding the sophomore Saturday. His 6.8 percent shooting remains low, but he's also only registered 12 individual high-danger scoring chances through 13 games.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. VAN ($19): This is a target-worthy salary for Theodore. His current 1.47 points per 60 minutes is well below his 1.9 mark over the past two seasons, and the Canucks rank last in the league in penalty-kill percentage. Theodore is also in solid form with five helpers, 13 shots and seven blocks through his past five contests.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. PHI ($13): As noted, this is a potentially soft matchup for Dallas, and Klingberg has struggled since returning from a lower-body injury with just two assists and a minus-8 rating through seven games. However, his salary is way down as a result, and he remains the quarterback for the No. 1 power-play unit. There's profit potential here.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Cale Makar, COL vs. SJ ($23): There's no shortage of star power on the Avs, but missing Nathan MacKinnon still hurts the team's upside. Additionally, San Jose ranks second in the league in penalty-kill percentage, so consider Makar a little riskier than usual Saturday,
Tony DeAngelo, CAR vs. STL ($19): A frequent recommendation in this space, DeAngelo probably carries a little more risk against the rested Blues. Carolina lost 2-1 to Philadelphia on Friday, and St. Louis ranks fourth in the league in penalty-kill percentage and has allowed just 2.5 goals per game for the campaign. It's also worth highlighting DeAngelo has only reached double-digit fantasy points once through his past eight games.
