This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With three games on tap Wednesday, taking advantage of the right matchups becomes even more essential. Here are some tips...
Goalie
Tuukka Rask, BOS @ NYR ($26)
Rask finds himself with a basement-low price Wednesday as a result of his disappointing play, but there's reason to believe he could provide a lot of value. The 30-year-old has found moderate success against the Rangers in his career, posting a .923 save percentage and 2.25 GAA. Additionally, the Bruins' offense ranks eighth in the NHL with 3.25 goals per game on the road, making a win well within reach for Rask.
Goalie to Avoid
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. MIN ($30)
Much of Andersen's success this season has been predicated on the success of the team in front of him, but his ratios have been less than impressive, especially on home ice, as the Danish goalie owns a hideous .869 save percentage and 4.10 GAA in Toronto. With the Leafs' pace slowing down and the Wild averaging 3.50 away goals per game, Andersen could be in trouble Wednesday.
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Center
Brayden Point, TB @ SJ ($18)
The Tampa Bay offense is hot as can be right now, so finding any affordable, effective piece of it to add to your daily lineup is a savvy move. Point fits the bill perfectly here, as the Calgary native has posted eight points while adding 19 shots on goal and a plus-7 rating in his last seven contests. His secure place on the Lightning's second power-play unit is a nice touch as well.
Center to Avoid
Joe Pavelski, SJ vs. TB ($23)
On the other end of the ice in San Jose is Pavelski, who is underperforming somewhat given what we've come to expect from him. The University of Wisconsin product has just four goals and is shooting at a 10.3 percent clip, his lowest rate since 2010-11. Pavelski will probably break the slump eventually, but betting on it happening Wednesday against a Lightning team team that is allowing 2.83 away goals per game is dangerous.
Wing
Mikael Granlund, MIN @ TOR ($18)
Granlund finally got the monkey off his back Monday by scoring his first goal of the season in a 5-3 loss to Boston. The Finnish winger struggled with a groin injury that cost him five games earlier in the campaign but is beginning to show the form of the player he was last season when he recorded 69 points. His Wednesday price represents a good bet for him to continue his scoring ways.
Jake DeBrusk, BOS @ NYR ($13)
DeBrusk's Wednesday price represents an immense value given the production and opportunity he has found lately -- the 21-year-old netted his third career goal in Monday's 5-3 win over the Wild while filling in on first line and first power-play unit for the injured Brad Marchand (upper body). With Marchand ruled out Wednesday, DeBrusk will likely maintain those roles and will look to expand on his rising stock in Madison Square Garden.
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Wings to Avoid
James van Riemsdyk, TOR vs. MIN ($22)
Van Riemsdyk's scoring metrics aren't terrible by any means, but what's concerning is the lack of opportunity he has on a nightly basis -- JVR has two points and a minus-3 rating in his last six games, but has taken only eight shots on goal and averaged 13:34 of ice time over that span. There's just not enough chance for good scoring totals to justify the relatively high price tag Wednesday.
Ondrej Palat, TB @ SJ ($18)
There are many mouths to feed in the hungry Tampa Bay offense, so it's understandable to see how Palat often gets lost in the crowd for multiple games at a time. The Czech winger appears to be mired in one of these slumps currently, as he has two points and six shots on goal in his last four contests. Scoring could be at a premium against the excellent Martin Jones, so look elsewhere Wednesday.
Defense
Tim Heed, SJ vs. TB ($17)
Heed has mostly flown under the radar playing in the shadow of Brent Burns, but he has posted some nice production that deserves recognition -- the Swedish blueliner boasts four points with 14 shots on goal and 5:00 of average ice time on the power play over the last five contests. Heed could provide excellent value Wednesday against a Lightning team that has proven vulnerable on the defensive end of the ice.
Ryan Suter, MIN @ TOR ($17)
The Wisconsin native is cemented onto Minnesota's top power-play unit, giving him opportunity to score every night and especially Wednesday against the somewhat porous Toronto defense. His 31 shots in 13 games are helpful, as well as his eight points and heavy 26:25 of average ice time.
Defensemen to Avoid
Brent Burns, SJ vs. TB ($32)
For the ridiculous amount of shots he's taken, Burns has yet to find the back of the net and has a minus-8 rating so far this campaign. The 32-year-old's Wednesday price makes him a full $8 more expensive than the next option, making him hard to justify against the electric Lightning offense that could make his rating suffer even more.
Zdeno Chara, BOS @ NYR ($16)
Chara is no doubt an essential piece in Boston's defensive scheme, but he does not provide nearly enough offensive production to justify usage in daily fantasy formats. Big Z assisted on two goals in Monday's win over Minnesota, but those represented his first points since Oct. 14. You can find someone at a cheaper price Wednesday who will have a better chance to put some points on the board.
