This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven games in the NHL on Monday with the Jets the lone huge favorite on the docket. The marquee matchup is definitely between the Avalanche and Wild, whereas Toronto and Calgary are playing for the second consecutive night. Arizona is also in a back-to-back spot against the Kings. Here's are a number of picks and pans for the DFS contests at Yahoo.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. OTT ($32): Rounding into top form with a .950 save percentage through his past seven starts, Hellebuyck is a solid option at this salary and with the favorable matchup. The Jets have beat Ottawa in four of five meetings this season with just 10 goals allowed, and Hellebuyck boasts a .942 save percentage through his four starts against the Senators.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Cam Talbot, MIN vs. COL ($27): While Talbot sports a high-end .954 save percentage and 1.46 GAA without losing in regulation through his past six starts, this is a daunting matchup against the Avs. Colorado has scored the most goals per game and also leads the league in Corsi For percentage. The Avalanche are also cruising along a dominant 16-2-3 stretch.
CENTER
Cody Glass, VGK vs. STL ($10): Projected to skate between Mark Stone ($29) and Max Pacioretty ($31), Glass is positioned to have a solid showing against the defensively vulnerable Blues. St. Louis has allowed the eighth most goals per game in the league and sports a 26th-ranked 75.0 penalty-kill percentage, and Glass, Stone and Pacioretty generated 13 shot attempts at five-on-five against Minnesota on Saturday.
CENTER TO AVOID
Phillip Danault, MON vs. EDM ($20): With four multi-point showings through the past six games, Danault's in his best offensive stretch of the season. However, he'll be tasked with facing off against Connor McDavid ($35) and/or Leon Draisaitl ($33), and the two Oilers have been on the ice for the first and 15th most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, so it's a tough gig for Danault.
WING
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. OTT ($22): With Ottawa allowing the most goals per game in the league, Connor is positioned to continue his high-end play. The 24-year-old winger has recorded 11 points -- five goals -- through the past 11 games to improve to an impressive 3.06 points per 60 minutes for the campaign.
Jesse Puljujarvi, EDM at MON ($13): This is a reasonable salary to take a flier on Puljujarvi snapping out of his current four-game point drought. He's projected to skate alongside Connor McDavid ($35) in all situations, including on the No. 1 power-play unit. The Canadiens have the 25th-ranked penalty-kill percentage, so there is a special-teams mismatch with Edmonton ranking second in the league in power-play percentage.
WINGS TO AVOID
Tyler Toffoli, MON vs. EDM ($24): The veteran winger scored in his return to action Saturday to prove his health and boost his shooting percentage up to 19.0. It's an unsustainable mark, and from Toffoli's salary range, it's probably wise to target a winger not eyeing negative regression. Additionally, the Oilers have allowed just 2.38 goals per game since losing three in a row to the Maple Leafs in early March.
Joonas Donskoi, COL at MIN ($20): After piling up 15 points -- nine goals -- through a 10-game stretch, Donskoi has now missed the scoresheet in consecutive outings. He's projected to continue skating with the No. 1 power-play unit, but the Finn skates on the third line at five-on-five, which limits his upside. Minnesota is also a tough draw. The Wild have surrendered the fifth fewest goals per game in the league and also boast the fourth best penalty-kill percentage.
DEFENSE
Tyson Barrie, EDM at MON ($24): As noted, this checks out as a favorable matchup for the Edmonton power play, and Barrie is mired in a three-game point drought, so a bounce-back showing is definitely in play. After all, even with the recent dry spell, Barrie paces all defensemen in points per 60 minutes and have racked up 14 power-play points this season.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. PHI ($17): Philadelphia has surrendered the second most goals per game this season, and McAvoy's salary has dipped way down into profit territory. He's recorded a goal, four assists, 15 shots and seven blocks while logging 26:04 of ice time, so there's a solid fantasy floor to target. Just note, McAvoy has been skating with the No. 2 power-play unit and not the top group of late.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Cale Makar, COL at MIN ($25): While you're obviously fading Makar at your own risk, it's not the best matchup. As noted, the Wild are one of the better defensive teams in the league, and they're coming off a two-game sweep of the Golden Knights with just three goals allowed.
Matt Dumba, MIN vs. COL ($18): As highlighted, the Avs are a daunting matchup with a league best Corsi For percentage while also allowing the fewest goals against per game. Dumba's also recorded just a single assist and five shots through five games since returning from a lower-body injury. He's also played limited power-play minutes during the noted stretch.
