This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Both series in these Conference Finals have been very competitive so far, giving all of the players involved in them plenty of chances to break out for big fantasy numbers. Here are some of the better values to look out for.
Goalie
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. WPG ($36)
All the goalies left on the board are outstanding, so it's difficult to pick one to recommend against. That said, the one I absolutely will not pick against is Fleury. The veteran keeper has been stupendous throughout the entire postseason but especially so on the home ice in Vegas where he has posted a .953 save percentage and has won four of five starts, with the only loss not being in a series home opener.
Goalie to Avoid
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB @ WAS ($34)
Vasilevskiy's strong bounceback performance in Game 3 might make you forget that his play has been pretty mediocre to this point -- in the eight games since the start of the second round series against Boston, the Russian netminder shows a .897 save percentage and has allowed three goals or more in half of those contests. With the Caps sure to come back strong in Game 4 and his daily price elevated since the last slate, Vasilevskiy isn't worth your coin.
Center
Lars Eller, WAS vs. TB ($17)
Until the pricing gods up his valuation or his production slows down, you'd be a fool not to pick Eller for this slate. The Danish pivot is seeing ice time in Washington's top six and on its elite first power-play unit, leading to 10 points (three with the man advantage) and a plus-6 rating in the last eight contests. Be wary of a return from Nicklas Backstrom (upper body) on Thursday, but assuming that doesn't happen, Eller's role should hold.
Center to Avoid
Mark Scheifele, WPG @ VGK ($27)
Simply from a value standpoint, Scheifele does not stack up with the other elite center options Wednesday, as his production is far from guaranteed despite his price tag being two dollars higher than the next closest option. The 25-year-old struggled in his only game in Vegas during the regular season, showing just an assist, two shots on goal, and a minus-3 rating in the Nov. 10 matchup despite seeing 6:27 of power-play ice time.
Wings
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. TB ($22)
After a disappointing regular season, Oshie has come to play in these playoffs and is now sporting a point-per-game pace over the last seven contests. It's also encouraging that the American winger shows a plus-5 rating over that span, meaning that he's not getting beat as much in the defensive end like he was during the regular season. Oshie makes for a nice stack with Eller and he also runs with Washington's deadly first power play.
David Perron, VGK vs. WPG ($15)
Perron (illness) is officially a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest, but all reports seem to suggest he'll play. Assuming he does, the 29-year-old is a nice value pick for this slate, as he's a solid offensive contributor listed at a dirt cheap asking price. Let's not forget that the Quebec native recorded 66 points in 70 games in the regular season and is averaging 3:13 of power-play ice time in the playoffs, so he's worth more than his price.
Wings to Avoid
Patrik Laine, WPG @ VGK ($26)
Laine has yet to net an away goal in these playoffs and, in fact, has not put up the sort of goal production we've come to expect from him, showing just four scores in 14 postseason contests thus far. It also doesn't help that the Golden Knights have been untouchable on home ice, allowing eight goals in five games and losing just one game in double overtime. Don't expect the young Finn to beat Fleury on Wednesday.
James Neal, VGK vs. WPG ($19)
Neal's production has not been up to snuff in the last few games and, frankly, his role is becoming too diminished to recommend him at this price -- over the last five contests, the 30-year-old has one point and a minus-2 rating to go with 16:31 of average ice time. Additionally, Neal is now seeing much less ice time on the power play while running with the second unit, so it's not a good idea to invest here.
Defensemen
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG @ VGK ($25)
When looking at the options of elite defensemen, it's hard to deny everything that Byfuglien can bring to the table in this slate. Since scoring his first goal of the playoff campaign on April 29, the Minnesota native has posted 10 points and 23 shots on goal over those eight games, with half of the points coming in three away games. As Winnipeg's ice time leader by a longshot, Big Buff will have plenty of opportunity to make an impact.
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. WPG ($16)
Roaming the blue line with Nate Schmidt on the first power-play unit, Theodore is always a potential source of offensive production right from the get go. The 22-year-old shows seven points in these playoffs and it's much worth noting that five of them have come within the confines of T-Mobile Arena. In addition, Theodore has blocked at least one shot in every playoff game except one, giving him a nice floor with defense.
Defensemen to Avoid
Jacob Trouba, WPG @ VGK ($17)
It's clear at this point that Trouba won't help you with offensive production, as his three points in 14 playoff games will attest, but what's a bit more concerning is that he's been inconsistent in his own zone -- the 24-year-old holds a minus-1 rating over the last four games and shows an even or negative rating in five of the last eight. At this price and lower, you'll be able to find more reliable sources of fantasy production.
Ryan McDonagh, TB @ WAS ($16)
Since coming to the Lightning via trade this season, McDonagh has developed the reputation of a stay-at-home defenseman and that trend has very much carried over into the postseason -- the University of Wisconsin product shows just five points and 18 shots on goal through 13 playoff games thus far. Considering his defensive production hasn't been great either, as shown by his plus-1 rating in these playoffs, you can pass on him here.
