This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday's NHL slate is a large one, with 12 games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. While there's no shortage of options to choose from, certain players stand out from the pack as guys to target at their respective valuations while others are best avoided. Read on to see who falls into which category.
GOALIE
Keith Kinkaid, NJ vs. LA ($24): Despite sitting well outside the playoff picture, the Devils have actually played great hockey at home, posting a 13-7-4 record at Prudential Center. They'll have a nice opportunity to further improve that record against a visiting Kings team that averages the fewest goals in the league and is playing the second leg of a back-to-back. At just $24, Kinkaid's primed to take advantage of this favorable matchup while still leaving owners plenty of money to spend at other positions.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at TB ($37): Fleury has wilted on the road this season, posting a 2.82 GAA and .897 save percentage in 22 appearances, as compared to a stellar 2.17 GAA and .924 save percentage in 24 home matches. Between his road struggles and a difficult matchup against the Lightning's league-best offense (3.87 goals per game), it's tough to justify dropping $37 on the Flower here.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. CHI ($34): Given McDavid's lofty price tag, he needs to produce massively to be worth locking in. The back-to-back Art Ross Trophy winner has had no trouble doing so, putting himself in contention to lead the league in points for a third consecutive campaign with 76 points (31 goals) through 51 games. McDavid's upside is tremendous against a Blackhawks team that's allowing the second-most goals per game (3.68) while sporting the league's worst penalty kill (74.0 percent).
CENTER TO AVOID
Brayden Point, TB vs. VGK ($31): Even if Point returns after missing Saturday's game for precautionary reasons, he's not a recommended option here. Point's been heavily reliant on the power play for his scoring, with a team-high 13 of his 30 goals coming on the man advantage. That massive chunk of his game is likely to be compromised by Vegas' second-ranked, 84.2 percent penalty kill, so it's best to look elsewhere at the center position.
WINGS
Jack Roslovic, WPG vs. SJ ($14): If you believe in riding the hot hand, Roslovic is an excellent option at just $14. He recorded four points -- including a hat trick -- in his last game and has lit the lamp five times over the past four contests. This could be the beginning of a permanent step up for the 2015 first-rounder, who recently celebrated his 22nd birthday. If that's the case, Roslovic won't be available for just $14 much longer.
Artemi Panarin, CLS at COL ($26): Panarin has been a major force over the past 17 games, racking up 11 goals and 25 points while getting held off the scoresheet just twice over that span. That strong stretch includes nine power-play points, seven of which have come in the last nine contests. Don't expect the talented Russian to slow down against an Avalanche team that ranks among the league's five most generous on the penalty kill by virtue of denying opponents only 76.4 percent of the time.
WINGS TO AVOID
Mikael Granlund, MIN at BUF ($19): Granlund hasn't lit the lamp in 11 games and has just one goal over his past 27. While the Sabres have struggled lately, there are plenty of more enticing options on the Wild given Granlund's extended scoring slump.
Brandon Pirri, VGK at TB ($21): Pirri did nothing but produce when given a chance at the NHL level earlier this season, but opponents seem to have figured him out now that he's earned a consistent spot in the lineup. Over his past five games, Pirri has failed to mark the scoresheet whole posting a minus-4 rating. The Lightning's talented offense is likely to add to those recent struggles in the plus-minus department.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Weber, MON vs. ANH ($19): Weber continues to be available at a bargain relative to his production, as his 7.5 fantasy points per game represent the best mark among all blueliners that cost $19 or less. The Ducks are playing the second leg of a road back-to-back and have been outscored 23-5 over their last four games, so Weber's primed to outperform his robust season average in this one.
Ryan Ellis, NSH vs. ARI ($19): Ellis is a terrific all-around performer on the blue line, with robust totals in shots and blocks coupled with a plus-13 rating giving him a high floor. Of his 56 points in 98 appearances over the past two seasons, only nine have come with the extra man, so Ellis also has plenty of offensive upside from the blue line against an Arizona team that has the league's stingiest penalty kill but is playing its second game in as many nights.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
P.K. Subban, NSH vs. ARI ($21): With three similarly priced alternatives available on the Nashville blue line, it doesn't make much sense to turn to Subban, who's mired in a slump. He's been held to just one assist in the past nine games and will have a hard time getting back on track against a Coyotes club that boasts the league's best penalty kill.
Torey Krug, BOS vs. NYI ($21): Krug's a high-risk, high-reward option who frequently gets on the scoresheet (35 points) but isn't great in his own zone (minus-4 rating). The risk isn't likely to pay off here, as Krug faces an Islanders team that's allowing the fewest goals per game in the league (2.35).
