This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The two games on Wednesday's slate could make or break each of the respective series for certain teams. Here are some of the best values to look out for.
Goalie
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. TB ($30)
Rask has made saves in some really big spots for the Bruins so far this postseason and it wouldn't be surprising to see him step up in this huge game as the series shifts back to Boston. The 31-year-old had better metrics at home than on the road this year and he's also showed an aptitude for stopping the offensively dynamic Lightning, displaying a .926 save percentage and 2.00 GAA in four regular season games.
Goalie to Avoid
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB @ BOS ($37)
After an incredibly solid first round against New Jersey, Vasilevskiy has looked vulnerable against Boston, as he has allowed seven goals on just 43 shots for a .837 save percentage through the first two games of this series. The Russian keeper did not look incredibly secure on the road in March, showing a .891 save percentage and 3.74 GAA in his last three away games of the regular season, with the last game being a loss in Boston.
Center
Tomas Hertl, SJ vs. VGK ($17)
Hertl is still seeing low pricing even though he has recorded a point in every playoff game so far except one. This is also contrary to the fact that he is seeing an average of 5:11 of ice time on the power play, where he has also recorded two points, and he runs on San Jose's second even strength line with Logan Couture. Marc-Andre Fleury is finally looking human, so now is the time to strike with Hertl.
Center to Avoid
Steven Stamkos, TB @ BOS ($28)
When considering paying top-tier pricing for a forward, you'll want to make sure that the player is a legitimate scoring threat, and right now, Stamkos is not. The 28-year-old had a number of assists against New Jersey, but he put up just one goal in that series and he has not gotten on the scoresheet yet against Boston. Again, it's just a matter of value, and considering Stamkos had mediocre results against Boston this year, the value isn't there.
Wings
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. TB ($19)
DeBrusk has taken the league by storm in his first career Stanley Cup Playoffs, putting up six goals and eight points, including four on the power play, through the first nine contests. The rookie winger has really benefited from the veteran mentorship of linemates David Krejci and Rick Nash and he'll look to continue asserting his dominance on home ice where he has put up five points through the first four playoff games there.
Kevin Labanc, SJ vs. VGK ($12)
While Labanc doesn't see an excessive amount of even strength minutes and does not have a goal yet in the playoffs, he holds a ton of value in his role as a power-play specialist -- the 22-year-old is averaging 4:54 of ice time with the man advantage and he has recorded three of his four assists during the postseason in these situations. If you're looking for a cheap way to complete your lineup, you could do worse than Labanc.
Wings to Avoid
Evander Kane, SJ vs. VGK ($23)
While Kane's offensive potential is always high, it's his issues away from the attacking game that are getting him into trouble. The veteran winger has already served a suspension for his reckless play, which has also garnered him 19 penalty minutes, and he's showing a minus-2 rating through six playoff games. He's also gone pointless in half of his postseason games so far, so you'll want more consistency at this price.
Alex Killorn, TB @ BOS ($17)
Killorn isn't providing the type of offensive firepower that's ideal for this tight slate -- the Halifax native hasn't recorded a point in four straight games and has taken two shots or fewer in each of his games this postseason outside of the first one. Also taking into account that the Bruins have been the strongest team in the league against left wings, allowing 1.47 points per game to the position, you'll want to stay away from Killorn.
Defensemen
Shea Theodore, VGK @ SJ ($19)
Theodore's balanced game could be an excellent asset for Wednesday's slate. The 22-year-old roams the blue line alongside Alex Tuch on Vegas' power play, and he's also racked up four points at even strength and shows a solid plus-5 rating through the first seven playoff contests. His contributions in the offensive end as well as defensive make him a nice value within this price point.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB @ BOS ($16)
Like Labanc and Theodore, Sergachev is establishing himself as a power-play specialist but perhaps to an even greater extent -- the young Russian has averaged 13:16 of overall ice time but is also seeing 2:50 of power-play ice time on average. He's managed three power-play points so far this postseason and the Bruins have actually been poor on the penalty kill recently, finding success just 72.7 percent of the time in the playoffs.
Defensemen to Avoid
Brent Burns, SJ vs. VGK ($29)
When shelling out the kind of cash for a defenseman that you'd be spending on a top-tier forward, you'd better make sure you're getting some consistent production, but Burns has not been providing that this postseason, being held off the scoresheet three times in seven games. His play in the defensive end isn't helping his cause either, as he now shows a minus-1 rating in the playoffs. Your budget can be better allocated elsewhere.
Zdeno Chara, BOS vs. TB ($17)
While his defensive contributions have been tremendous thus far, what's holding Chara back is his lack of push in the offensive end -- through nine playoff games, Big Z has just three points to go with 20 shots on goal and effectively no power-play ice time. At this price and lower, you can find defenseman who are more guaranteed to provide you with a more steady source of offense.
