This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL displayed 13 games on Tuesday after Monday's trade deadline, so we only have three contests firing up tonight. Edmonton pulled the short straw and will play the second game in as many nights. With limited options, every choice counts, so read on for tips and tricks before confirming your DFS lineups.
GOALIE
Carter Hutton, BUF at COL ($28): Hutton has been a solid backstop over the past six games, producing a .916 save percentage and 5-1-0 record. It's a risky play against a powerhouse like the Avalanche, but the Avs rank 26th in the league with 2.19 xGF/60 at even strength in February.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Mikko Koskinen, EDM at VGK ($26): Koskinen has ceded his starting duties to Mike Smith, and the former has allowed 11 goals over the past three games. He hasn't been very consistent, and a matchup versus the Golden Knights, who have scored 3.54 G/60 during this month.
CENTER
Paul Stastny, VGK vs. EDM ($18): Stastny is enjoying time in the top six with four points (one goal, three assists) in as many games. He'll get a crack at Edmonton's struggling penalty kill, and their overall crease situation is ugly, allowing 2.77 G/60 over the last month -- the seventh-most in the league.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jack Eichel, BUF at COL ($34): Eichel is rightfully an expensive center in this slate, but the matchup may be tough for him to live up to expectations. Avalanche netminder Pavel Francouz is on a tear with three straight wins, allowing just two goals on the last 75 shots.
WINGS
Jason Zucker, PIT at LA ($16): Zucker has been Sidney Crosby's left-hand man ever since arriving in Pittsburgh, and he's accrued five points and 20 shots on net over seven games. Los Angeles has had some goaltending issues in February, allowing 3.0 G/60, and its penalty kill ranks 27th at 75.6 percent.
Adrian Kempe, LA vs. PIT ($16): Kempe is on track for a new career high in points, and accrued four points -- two on the power play -- over the last four games. Look for the 23-year-old winger to make an impact with the man advantage and at even strength, as the Penguins have let up 10 goals over the past two contests.
WINGS TO AVOID
Kyle Okposo, BUF at COL ($17): Okposo carries a four-game point streak into this contest and could look like a solid contrarian play, but the deadline-addition of Wayne Simmonds will likely keep him on the fourth line. With the Francouz playing as well as he is, it'll be difficult for him to mark the scoresheet again.
Alex Iafallo, LA vs. PIT ($17): Iafallo has seen some bumpiness in regards to his ice time, but he's still managed two points over the last four games. He hasn't been able to lean on his shot volume, either, as the winger has surpassed two shots on net just once over the last eight games.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. EDM ($21): What an outstanding floor Theodore brings to the table, as he's peppered the net with 15 shots over the last three games, tickling the twine once and adding two assists. His ice time is steady even with Alec Martinez in the mix, and he'll look to exploit Koskinen in this Pacific Division clash.
Ethan Bear, EDM at VGK ($12): Bear comes at a bargain in this slate, as he's averaging a whopping 22:43 of ice time in February, including time on the power play with the top dogs. Surrounded by talent, Bear is an excellent contrarian play against the Golden Knights' penalty kill that has yielded 11.37 G/60 -- the second-most in the league -- in February.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Ryan Graves, COL vs. BUF ($19): Graves is known for his outstanding plus-43 rating, but his floor hasn't been held up by a shot volume lately, as he's directed just 14 shots over nine games. Hutton's been playing well, too, so it'll be tough to live up to his inflated price tag.
Erik Johnson, COL vs. BUF ($14): Johnson has recorded just one point in 2020, and although he shoots enough, the potential here isn't desirable, especially because he has no consistent power-play role these days.
