This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are eight games included in the featured DFS contests at Yahoo on Saturday, and the action begins at 7 p.m. EDT. Toronto and Carolina are receiving significant home-ice chalk, whereas Tampa Bay is the only other notable favorite. The Senators-Maple Leafs bout is the only one with a 6.5 over/under total, too. It's also worth noting that St. Louis ran all over Minnesota with a 9-1 win Friday, and San Jose also topped Los Angeles last night 5-2. Here are picks and pans at each position for Saturday's contests.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, EDM at CGY ($34): The Flames enter on a 2-9 skid having scored only 23 goals over that stretch, so it's surprising Smith's salary isn't higher. He's had a couple stinkers over the course of the season, but his current 8-1-2 stretch features ratios right in line with his .922 save percentage and 2.34 GAA for the campaign.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Juuse Saros, NSH vs. TB ($36): This salary is justified given Saros recent 8-2 stretch with a .964 save percentage and 1.19 GAA. However, the Lightning have scored the second-most goals per game in the league, and the Predators are still riddled with injuries. Plus, Tampa Bay has won five of six meetings between the two clubs this season while averaging 4.33 goals per contest.
CENTER
Jack Roslovic, CLS vs. CHI ($15): Chicago has allowed a healthy 3.1 goals per game and sports the 30th-ranked penalty kill at 73.0 percent, so this is a favorable matchup for Roslovic, especially at his discounted salary. He has recorded consecutive multi-point showings to propel him to a rock-solid 27 points through 34 games this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ross Colton, TB at NSH ($18): The 2016 fourth-round selection has racked up an impressive nine points, including six goals, through 14 games this season, including four tallies over his past five. However, Colton has done it on 31.6 percent shooting and was never a dominant scorer at the lower levels. Add that he's averaging just 9:49 of ice time per game without power-play looks, and it's safe to bet on statistical correction moving forward.
WING
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR vs. DET ($21): The Red Wings have surrendered the eighth-most goals per game in the league this season and have the fifth-worst penalty-kill percentage, so Svechnikov warrants attention at this salary. He's been skating with Sebastian Aho in all situations of late, and the duo have clicked for 5.82 goals and 20.95 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past two seasons.
Jesse Puljujarvi, EDM at CGY ($14): As long as Puljujarvi is skating with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in all situations, he's a lineup lock in this salary range. The trio has clicked for 6.81 goals per 60 minutes this season, and as noted, the Flames are in the midst of a horrible stretch and have surrendered 17 goals through their past four games.
WINGS TO AVOID
Tyler Toffoli, MON vs. WPG ($24): The first-year Canadien has been solid but unspectacular with a goal and two assists through four games since returning from a lower-body injury. Additionally, his minus-5 rating during that stretch is concerning, and Winnipeg netminder Connor Hellebuyck has rounded into top form with a .943 save percentage and 1.77 GAA though his past nine starts. Finally, Toffoli's 17.4 percent shooting for the year remains on the high end.
Brady Tkachuk, OTT at TOR ($19): With just a single goal and assist and a minus-6 rating through the past nine games, Tkachuk's in poor form. Toronto is also a tough matchup. The Maple Leafs are allowing the sixth-fewest five-on-five goals per 60 minutes in the league, and they've only allowed 17 goals through their past nine contests.
DEFENSE
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. OTT ($20): While Rielly has cooled off of late with just three points through his past nine games, it's brought his salary down into profit territory. With Ottawa allowing the most goals per game in the league and sporting the 26th-ranked penalty-kill percentage, the power-play quarterback is positioned to have a solid showing.
Jake Bean, CAR vs. DET ($10): After recording 10 points -- five with the man advantage -- through a 15-game stretch, Bean has only collected a single assist through his past 11 contests. The 22-year-old defenseman receives consistent power-play time and has started 58.6 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone, so with a favorable matchup, Bean's a potential target at minimum salary.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH vs. TB ($23): It's been an excellent stretch for Josi since returning from an upper-body injury, as the 30-year-old defenseman has racked up eight points -- five with the man advantage -- through nine games. However, as noted, Tampa Bay is among the toughest matchups in the league. The Lightning have a top-10 penalty kill and have surrendered the eighth-fewest goals per game in the league.
Ryan McDonagh, TB at NSH ($18): Sticking with the Tampa Bay-Nashville tilt, McDonagh's salary is out of proportion with his fantasy profile. The veteran scored twice in Thursday's win over Columbus, but his 0.83 points per 60 minutes for the campaign still ranks 105th among regular NHL defensemen, although he does also move the needle in the peripheral categories.
