This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are six games in the NHL on Monday with Buffalo the lone team playing for the second consecutive night. The Avalanche are the lone huge favorite, whereas the Hurricanes and Blues are both receiving notable chalk. Here's a quick peek at the daily-fantasy landscape ahead of Monday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, COL vs. OTT ($30): As noted, there's definitely some unknowns surrounding the Senators. Ottawa last played Sunday, Nov. 14, and the club's still missing a number of regulars, after all. Kuemper, meanwhile, has won four straight games with a .930 save percentage and 2.00 GAA. The salary is manageable, too.
GOALIE TO AVOID
James Reimer, SJ vs. CAR ($32): The veteran allowed a season-high four goals in his last start and faces an impressive Carolina offense Monday. The Hurricanes rank fourth in goals per 60 minutes, and Reimer's current .938 save percentage is significantly better than the .906 mark he posted over 83 appearances the previous three years. Statistical correction is likely ahead.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, COL vs. OTT ($20): Until Kadri's salary catches up to his production, he's a solid option, and especially in a likely favorable matchup against Ottawa. Kadri's piled up a high-end four goals, 11 assists, 24 shots and 42 attempts during his active eight-game point streak.
CENTER TO AVOID
Sebastian Aho, CAR at SJ ($32): While Aho's racked up a respectable three tallies, five helpers and 35 shots through his past nine contests, he's only posted double-digit fantasy points in three of those showings. From this salary range, you're probably looking for a more consistent ceiling of production.
WING
Oliver Bjorkstrand, CLS at BUF ($19): This is a reasonable salary for Bjorkstrand. He's buoyed his fantasy results with four assists and 20 shots during an active five-game goal drought, and the high-volume shooter has positive regression ahead in the goals column. Bjorkstand has 44 shot attempts -- six of the individual high-danger variety -- during the five-game stretch, and his current 10.6 shooting percentage is hanging below his 13.3 mark over the past three seasons. Buffalo is also playing the second leg of a back-to-back set and has surrendered five goals in consecutive games.
Logan O'Connor, COL vs. OTT ($15): Another cost-effective Av to target, O'Connor has been skating on the No. 1 line with Mikko Rantanen ($34) and Gabriel Landeskog ($32) of late, and the trio has combined to generate six high-danger scoring chances without finding the back of the net over the past three games. Look for O'Connor to capitalize on his opportunity on the No. 1 line Monday.
WINGS TO AVOID
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. PIT ($31): The Penguins have surrendered the fifth fewest expected goals per 60 minutes in the league this season, and Connor is in the beginning stages of the best offensive showing of his career. With a hefty cap hit, and potential for negative scoring regression, he's a fade candidate in the tough matchup.
Jake Guentzel, PIT at WPG ($24): On the flip side of the Penguins-Jets bout, Guentzel is also a potential fade because his recent uptick in scoring is likely unsustainable. The winger has recorded six tallies, four helpers and 20.0 shooting percentage through his past nine games, and Winnipeg has surrendered the sixth fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league this season.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL vs. OTT ($24): Since returning from an upper-body injury, Makar has three tallies, four helpers and 12 shots. He paces all defensemen in points per 60 minutes since entering the league and also quarterbacks a dangerous No. 1 power-play unit. With the matchup likely soft, Makar will probably be one of the most popular defensemen Monday -- and for good reason.
Zach Werenski, CLS at BUF ($19): Another blueliner in excellent form. Werenski has racked up six points -- two goals -- through his past four contests. His shot volume is also extremely impressive, as the power-play quarterback has registered 16 shots, 31 attempts and four individual high-danger scoring chances during the noted four-game stretch. As noted, the Sabres shouldn't be viewed as a tough matchup, either.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH vs. ANH ($27): This is an expensive ticket considering Josi has missed the scoresheet in four of his past six outings and only reached double-digit fantasy points once during the stretch. The Ducks have also allowed the eighth fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league this season and rank seventh in penalty-kill percentage.
Thomas Chabot, OTT at COL ($17): It's probably wise to take a wait-and-see approach with the Senators after a lengthy layoff due to COVID-19 protocols, especially with a tough matchup against the significantly favored Avalanche. Chabot is also in underwhelming form with just three assists and a minus-4 rating through his past eight games.
