This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Linus Ullmark, BOS at SEA ($32): Ullmark has a .920 save percentage on the road this season and draws an excellent matchup against the Kraken, who have won just two of their last 10 games while averaging a mere 2.3 goals per game. The 33-year-old Ullmark comes at a reasonable salary and should be the chalk Thursday. It helps that Brad Marchand will be eligible to return from his suspension to provide offensive support.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Juuse Saros, NSH vs. DAL ($35): Saros has been slipping lately, recording four straight losses while posting an .880 save percentage and a 3.87 GAA. The Stars accounted for one of those losses and four of those goals, and they've won six of their last seven road games while averaging 3.43 goals per game. Saros has the talent to turn things around at any moment, but he carries more risk than his salary justifies Thursday.
CENTER
Anton Lundell, FLA vs. CLS ($19): Lundell has an astounding plus-31 rating through 47 games while accruing 35 points, including 11 points and a plus-17 rating over the last nine games. The 2020 first-round pick has a high floor by virtue of that plus-minus rating, and his ceiling is appealing because both Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo will be out for Columbus with lower-body injuries.
CENTER TO AVOID
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at NYR ($16): Backstrom looks like a major value at this salary but he's fool's gold, at best. The 34-year-old has posted 14 points over 19 games this season, but six of those points have come with the man advantage. It'll be tough to get past Igor Shesterkin, who has a .939 save percentage his year, and break through the Rangers' eighth-ranked PK (83.2 percent).
WING
Artemi Panarin, NYR vs. WAS ($26): Panarin has racked up 19 points and 37 shots on net through the last 12 games, and he has already reached a career high of 25 power-play points. The Capitals rank 17th in the league with a 79.0 percent penalty kill, and netminder Ilya Samsonov has a 3.36 GAA since the beginning of January.
Craig Smith, BOS at SEA ($11): It's important to find a salary saver when you're going after studs elsewhere, and this is a great spot to reach deep into the bargain bin. Smith hasn't been that productive lately, but he has averaged 3.1 shots per game over the last 10 outings. The 32-year-old skates on the second line and the second power-play unit, which will be appealing against the Kraken's 26th-ranked PK (75.6 percent).
WINGS TO AVOID
Kevin Fiala, MIN at TOR ($19): Fiala is closing in on a point-per-game pace, but facing the Maple Leafs is a daunting task. Jack Campbell has been remarkable in his home barn this season with a .929 save percentage and a 2.07 GAA. It doesn't help that Fiala has averaged less than 17 minutes per game over the last month.
Gustav Nyquist, CLS at FLA ($18): Nyquist is also handling limited playing time with an average of 16:50 this season. He has recorded just 0.6 points per game this season with just one point on the power play, so he may struggle to reach his potential against Florida's 17th-ranked PK (79.0 percent). It doesn't help that Sergei Bobrovsky has a .922 save percentage at home, either.
DEFENSE
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. MIN ($23): Rielly frequently shows off his end-to-end speed and power-play quarterbacking abilities. The 27-year-old has posted 43 points through 50 games while averaging 2.7 shots on net per outing. His work on the power play is key against Minnesota's 18th-ranked PK (79.0 percent).
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at SEA ($16): McAvoy's salary shouldn't be this low. He has posted 30 points, 15 with the man advantage, and 94 shots on net through 47 games this season. Facing the Kraken is a gift, too, as goaltender Philipp Grubauer has registered a putrid .887 save percentage and 3.18 GAA this season.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Kris Letang, PIT vs. NJ ($27): This fade comes courtesy some game theory, as Letang could be a popular play against the measly Devils. However, he is worth avoiding at this high salary, especially because of his dependence on the power play. Six of Letang's last 11 points have come with the man advantage, and the Devils' PK (83.2 percent) ranks seventh in the league.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. CGY ($19): Hughes also leans heavily on the power play to produce for fantasy purposes, as that's how he has accrued 18 of his 39 points through 48 games. His potential will take a hit against Calgary's third-ranked PK (85.6 percent), so it's difficult to justify even this modest salary.
