This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a whopping 14-game slate, which means only three teams won't be gearing up Saturday. There's two afternoon games and 12 teams playing their second game in as many days. Read further to help navigate which players should be deployed and which should be ignored in this crowded field.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, NYI at BUF ($30): Varlamov has won four straight outings, and he'll get the nod on the second half of back-to-back contests. During his win streak, the 31-year-old has a .935 save percentage and 1.96 GAA. The Sabres early surge is starting to fizzle with two losses in their last three games, but that wasn't unexpected since their SCF% (scoring chances in their favor) of 45.9 percent ranks 29th in the league.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Brian Elliott, PHI vs. TOR ($25): Elliott got off to a hot start in Carter Hart's stead, but he's a goalie coming off hip surgery and working him too often could lead to an inevitable decline. It did, as he was just lit up for six goals by the Penguins in his last outing. The Maple Leafs thrive on high-danger shots (52.75 Corsi For) with their superstars in tow, so Elliott could be on track for another tough outing.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS vs. OTT ($18): The Bruins' opponents rightfully steer all their attention to the menacing top line, which can open up opportunities for Krejci. He took advantage in his first game back from injury, stacking up a power-play goal and an even-strength helper. The Senators provide plenty of offensive upside for Krejci, as they rank third worst with a 46.85 Corsi For.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mikael Backlund, CGY at CLS ($13): After not exceeding 4.0 fantasy points in five straight games, it's tough to trust Backlund in daily fantasy considering his floor isn't appealing. The Flames are a top-heavy team, and Backlund's been left off the No. 1 power-play unit, making it tough to kick the current trend.
WING
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. CLS ($22): Thursday's highlight-reel goal caught the eye of the major networks, and it was his third point of the game. He now has three multi-point outings this year and is averaging six shots on net per contest during the road trip. It looks like the Blue Jackets will be starting Joonas Korpisalo on the second half of back-to-back games, and he has a putrid .870 save percentage and 4.23 GAA over the last two weeks.
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at DET ($24): Huberdeau leads the squad in goals (seven) and points (15) without the help of the power play, as he only has three points on the man advantage. If he can turn around his power-play production, Huberdeau's ceiling should rise even higher. He has a good chance to do so against the Red Wings, who have the fourth-highest GA/60 (10.69) when down a man.
WINGS TO AVOID
Kasperi Kapanen, TOR at PHI ($12): Kapanen has three straight pointless outings and has now been dropped to the third line with John Tavares expected back for this game. Until he regains a spot alongside Auston Matthews or Tavares, Kapanen is tough to rely on in DFS.
Brady Tkachuk, OTT at BOS ($22): The other Tkachuk brother finally kicked a six-game pointless skid in his last outing, but it's been six days since then, so any momentum has died off. Tuukka Rask is the toughest goalie to crack right now with a .951 save percentage and 1.41 GAA, so Tkachuk is in danger of dropping right back into his funk.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS vs. OTT ($21): Krug leads all defensemen in power-play assists, and we can attribute that to playing on the Bruins' top unit along with their cheat-code, the Bead Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak stack. Krug figures to tack a few more points on against the Senators, who have yielded nine power-play points in 11 games.
Alex Goligoski, ARI vs. COL ($17): Goligoski is on pace for 56 points including 28 on the power play. Both metrics will likely regress, but the downside may not be as bad as expected since he has a career-high 54.2 Corsi For percentage so far. Colorado's losing their top-line players and their defensive game is struggling as a result with nine goals allowed over the last two contests, so Goligoski is set up well to keep it rolling.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. WPG ($17): Stuck in an eight-game rut without a point, Theodore could extend the slump against the Jets, who have held opposing blue lines without a point twice in the last five outings. Theodore shoots enough to have a solid floor, but we expect a better ceiling out of Theodore after a 37-point campaign last year.
Alec Martinez, LA vs. CHI ($15): Martinez hasn't scored yet this year. In fact, he hasn't lit the lamp in his last 30 outings dating back to last season. He's failed to mark a point in four straight outings as well, and Chicago is tight against opposing blue lines with just six points posted by opponents' blue lines over the last four contests.
