This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. BOS ($37) – The Bruins shut out the Flyers in their previous game, but now face a real challenge with the Predators and their 10-2-1 record at home. The Predators haven't been as good on defense as many expect, but Rinne has won four of his past five starts and is putting up some of the best numbers of his career. The Bruins are a sneaky good team because they have quite a few young players who can be game-changers, but still aren't at the Preds' level yet.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. SJ ($37) – It's not that Holtby is a bad goalie, but despite the Caps being on home ice the Sharks have the stronger underlying numbers, especially Martin Jones, who has never lost to Washington. The Capitals' goal differential is still in the red despite Alex Ovechkin's recent scoring binge, and they just seem to be having a tougher time than usual trying to get into a rhythm during the season. The division is so much tougher than in years past the Caps can't afford to coast, and they don't seem able to flip the switch this season.
[Join the free NHL Yahoo Cup. $10K in total prizes with weekly winners]
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI at FLA ($18) – A 6-5 loss to the Sens snapped Barzal's eight-game point streak but it shouldn't distract observers from what they've seen from him already. He's the clear No. 2 center behind John Tavares, and his production – 24 points – should also speak for itself. The Panthers are pretty deep down the middle, but they've never faced Barzal, and teams have been caught off guard more than once by him. The Panthers' defense and goaltending have not been particularly reliable this season, which presents an opportunity for Barzal to get back on track.
CENTER TO AVOID
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at NSH ($26) – He's an elite two-way center but he's also on the wrong side of 30 and has registered just one assist in his past four games. Bergeron's focus will be on defense against the Preds, who can throw three different scoring lines onto the ice. That'll keep Bergeron busy, and leave scoring duties to other, younger Bruins. Blocked shots will be on the menu for Bergeron for most of the game.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. PHI ($28) – His quick hands allow him to be one of the league's best playmakers, and with another two points he'll catch Nikita Kucherov for top spot in the scoring race. His recent four-game drought ended with a two-point effort against the Oilers, and the Flyers present yet another prime scoring opportunity. The Flyers are reeling with zero wins in their past 10 games and a goaltending tandem that is among the league's worst.
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA vs. NYI ($21) – Huberdeau's scored four points in his past three games and is averaging over 20 minutes per game on Aleksander Barkov's left wing. The skilled playmaker has added a lot of size and strength over the past two seasons, and now has 26 points and 80 shots on goal. The Islanders have won a lot of games thanks to their offense, not their defense, so Huberdeau gets a favorable matchup.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest or league today]
WINGS TO AVOID
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. SJ ($23) – He's a first-line player but never had the scoring ability of an elite player; he's made a living going to work in the dirty areas to get his points. He hasn't scored a goal since Nov. 18, and despite registering four assists in his past three games won't have an easy time beating Jones. The Sharks aren't an elite team but they can still put up a good fight, in what should be a low-scoring affair between two strong goalies.
Micheal Ferland, CGY vs. PHI ($17) – He's worth picking if he's riding on Sean Monahan and Gaudreau's coattails, but that's about all that's expected from Ferland. He averages just 15 minutes per game, and most of it is spent crashing and banging, and not always because he's trying to create scoring chances. He's a boom-or-bust fantasy player who isn't strong enough defensively to be featured on the penalty kill, either, so his opportunities remain limited.
DEFENSE
P.K. Subban, NSH vs. BOS ($21) – His rivalry with the B's goes back to his Habs days, and despite going four games without a point, he's scored 16 points in 31 career games against them. It'll be up to Peter Laviolette to figure out how to deploy Subban, since he'll likely be using Roman Josi in a shutdown role for most of the game. The Bruins are a much better transition team than in past years, but Subban and the Preds make a living going up and down the ice very quickly.
Nick Leddy, NYI at FLA ($21) – He's still not a top-tier No. 1 defenseman, but he gives you 22 solid minutes every night at both ends of the ice. The Islanders' offense has helped Leddy secure a few points, bringing his total to 22 this season, including 65 shots and 34 blocked shots on top of that. The Panthers shouldn't pose much of a problem on defense, and he should see plenty of Barkov and Huberdeau for shot-blocking opportunities.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SJ at WAS ($31) – He's showing signs of life with a goal and four assists in his past six games, which accounts for nearly half of his output this season. The Caps will likely start Braden Holtby, and he won't be easy to beat. Burns isn't driving possession and scoring like in past seasons, and his booming point shot and pinches from the blue-line seem to occur with far less frequency. As one of Monday's most high-priced players, Burns is a risky proposition.
Johnny Boychuk, NYI at FLA ($17) – He's scored just eight points this season so what you're hoping for from Boychuk is a steady diet of blocked shots. His upside isn't very high considering the number of high-caliber defensemen hitting the ice Monday. Teammate Leddy is worth the premium and is the better gamble.
