This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With just three games on Wednesday's slate, you'll have to choose wisely and get the best values if you're going to come out on top. Here are some suggestions.
Goalie
Ryan Miller, ANH vs. MIN ($33)
This selection will very much depend on John Gibson (upper body) and whether or not he is healthy enough to get the starting nod Wednesday, but assuming he doesn't, Miller could prove to be an excellent choice. The 37-year-old has played sparingly throughout the season as the backup, but he's been decent when called upon, showing a .925 save percentage. Minnesota's offense has struggled lately, averaging 2.87 goals per game in March.
Goalie to Avoid
Devan Dubnyk, MIN @ ANH ($33)
The goalie potentially facing Miller on Wednesday night could be in for a rough one if his recent history is any indication -- Dubnyk has struggled mightily in away games this season, posting a .906 save percentage and 3.01 GAA to go with just 12 wins. As mentioned, the keeper's lack of goal support in front of him, as well as Anaheim's recent offensive burst (3.14 goals per game in March), could cause him to drop this one.
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Center
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. OTT ($18)
The Senators have been the worst team against opposing centers this season, allowing 3.11 points per game to the position. Enter O'Reilly, who has been red hot lately despite his team's lack of motivation, posting 20 shots on goal and six points, including five with the man advantage, over the last five contests. The 27-year-old sees more ice time than any forward on the team and could very well take advantage of an injury-riddled and mediocre Ottawa goalie corps.
Center to Avoid
Eric Staal, MIN @ ANH ($23)
Like many of his Wild teammates, Staal has struggled moderately on the road this season, recording 32 points with a 14.8 shooting percentage and, perhaps most shockingly, a minus-10 rating. This ability to get burned on defense has manifested itself recently with a minus-4 rating over the last two games, and it could get worse against an Anaheim team that has scored three goals or more in four of its last five contests.
Wings
Mike Hoffman, OTT @ BUF ($17)
Hoffman's ferocity in the offensive end lately makes him a prime candidate to light up the scoresheet Wednesday night -- over the last six games, the Ontario native has five assists, with one coming on the power play, as well as a tremendous 25 shots on goal. Hoffman should be able to take advantage of Buffalo's shaky goalie situation, especially considering he already shows three points and a plus-4 rating in three games against them this season.
Alexander Steen, STL vs. CHI ($15)
With the Blackhawks penalty kill playing as poorly as it has lately, it would be nice to find an affordable, yet prominent, piece of the Blues' power play to deploy Wednesday. Steen averages almost three minutes of power-play ice time per game and has a respectable 14 points with the man advantage this season, and it helps that he lit up the Blackhawks for a power-play goal and an assist last time they played.
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Wings to Avoid
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. CHI ($24)
Besides not playing up to his offensive potential, Schwartz has been a defensive liability lately, racking up just one assist and a minus-6 rating over his last four contests. The Blackhawks are still an offensively potent team, having dropped six goals on the stout Jets on Thursday, so if Schwartz can't get it going on the scoresheet, it could be another disappointing fantasy day for the veteran. Don't risk it at this price.
Dylan Sikura, CHI @ STL ($18)
Sikura's daily price received a sizable boost when he attained two assists in his NHL debut Thursday, but the fact remains that he is still too raw and his role is not large enough to justify his use in Wednesday's slate. The 22-year-old is seeing just 14:04 of ice time on average and he is projected to continue running on Chicago's fourth line. As outlined above, you can get much more reliable options for less coin Wednesday.
Defensemen
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. OTT ($19)
The Senators have been one of the most generous teams to opposing defensemen this season, allowing 2.35 points per game to the position. That should be music to the ears of Ristolainen and anyone who chooses him Wednesday, as the young Finn has five power-play assists while averaging an insane 6:30 of ice time on the man advantage over the last three contests. This downtrodden Ottawa team shouldn't be able to stop him.
Thomas Chabot, OTT @ BUF ($14)
With Erik Karlsson (personal) having played his last game of the campaign, Chabot will have the opportunity to prove himself with more ice time and make his case as Ottawa's defenseman of the future. Indeed, he's already making strides in that direction, having scored two goals and an assist in Monday's loss to Winnipeg. Considering the Sabres allow 2.23 points per game to defenseman, you could do a lot worse at this price.
Defensemen to Avoid
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. CHI ($26)
Pietrangelo is the most expensive available defenseman on the board by seven dollars, so the case against him Wednesday just comes down to value. The Blues' captain has just three assists and a minus-4 rating in his last seven games, but it's also worth noting that he hasn't played as well in St. Louis this season, recording seven fewer points in three fewer games than on the road. His price makes him too risky here.
Erik Gustafsson, CHI @ STL ($17)
Gustafsson appears enticing considering the production he's had in his extended ice time towards the end of the season, but Wednesday's matchup makes it difficult to trust him at this price. The Blues have been very stout against opposing d-men with just 1.63 goals allowed to the position per game this season, and Gustafsson didn't look great against his first time out, as he wasn't able to get on the scoresheet on March 18.
