This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. COL ($34) – If Vegas can shut down Nathan MacKinnon, the Avs won't be difficult to beat. Fleury allowed just one goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Avs on Saturday and should have a much easier time at home where they have last change. The Avs' top line isn't nearly as effective on the road when they're forced to play against the opposition's top pairing every shift, and the Knights have been excellent at home. Fleury, with his .930 save percentage and 2.15 GAA, is having the best statistical season of his career at age 33.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Antti Raanta, ARI at TB ($33) – He's been in fine form lately with five wins in his past six appearances, showing that maybe he really does have the ability to be a No. 1, but any game against the vaunted Lightning will be a monumental task. Keep in mind Raanta has faced the Sabres, Flames and Senators in three of his past four games, so his recent numbers are a little inflated playing against weaker competition. The Lightning's goaltending hasn't been a strong suit lately, but the Coyotes will still need plenty of goal support to win.
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CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. BUF ($30) – He scored a goal in his first game back after missing a month and notched an assist Saturday against the Red Wings, so it's clear he hasn't missed a beat at all. He'll get to face off against good friend Jack Eichel and the rival Sabres on Monday, a team he's scored three goals against in five career games. The Sabres defense has not been very good this season and the Leafs offense should have no problems generating some scoring chances.
Anze Kopitar, LA vs. CGY ($22) – He's on track to win his second Selke in three seasons, and if the Kings make the playoffs he should get some consideration for the Hart. With a four-goal effort against the Avs on Thursday, Kopitar has 86 points in 76 games this season. It's easily the best statistical season of his career, and the Flames don't have a center to keep him in check or the goaltending to keep him off the scoresheet. Kopitar should be able to dominate against a team that's in free fall.
CENTERS TO AVOID
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at VGK ($32) – He's not nearly as reliable on the road as he is at home, and Fleury limited the Avs to just one goal Saturday. The Knights have one of the best records at home with just nine losses, while the Avs are one game below .500 on the road. MacKinnon is the most expensive center for Monday's slate, but considering all the factors he's unlikely to deliver value.
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at TOR ($17) – O'Reilly has been a model of consistency since entering the league, but he's not a prolific scorer and it's tough to gauge his value just by looking at his stats. Against a very good Leafs offense he'll be tasked with shutting down Matthews, leaving scoring duties to Eichel. O'Reilly's registered just one assist in his past four games, all of which have been losses.
WING
Evander Kane, SJ at CHI ($22) – At this rate, Kane's on track to earn a big extension from the Sharks. Since coming over from the Sabres, Kane's scored seven goals and 12 points in 12 games, including a two-goal effort in a chippy game against the Flames in which he also collected 11 PIM. The Blackhawks are a frustrated bunch and will not make the playoffs this season. If tempers flare, look for Kane to be in the thick of things. He can be a frightening power forward with his mix of size and skill.
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. OTT ($21) – Aho's the real deal. In just his second NHL season he's scored 62 points, and he'll have a chance to extend his scoring streak to nine games Monday against Ottawa. He's quickly establishing himself as a potential franchise player, averaging a point per game over his past 33 contests. He doesn't shoot the puck much but he's an excellent playmaker, and Ottawa's defense and goaltending have been sore spots all season. Erik Karlsson is not expected to make the trip, either.
James Neal, VGK vs. COL ($19) – Call it a hunch. Neal has not scored a goal since Feb. 11, which is virtually an eternity for the talented sniper. Despite his recent drought Neal's 13.1 percent shooting on the season is still above his career average, so maybe there's a little regression at play here, but the difference isn't big enough to think Neal's slide will go on for much longer. The Avs aren't very good on the road and Semyon Varlamov is 9-9-4 with a .907 save percentage away from the Pepsi Center.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Evgenii Dadonov, FLA at NYI ($21) – He has just two points in his past five games, both of which came against the lowly Senators, and there are three other Panthers – Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Vincent Trocheck – who all deserve more consideration than Dadonov. With 56 points in 65 games Dadonov has established himself as a top-six winger in his second stint with the Panthers, but there's not a lot of value to be had for someone who's a fourth option at best.
Gabriel Landeskog, COL at VGK ($21) – As with Dadonov, he's clearly the third option on the Avs' top line. MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are worthier of consideration, especially when you consider Landeskog has not been immune to the Avs' poor performances on the road, scoring just nine goals and 22 points in 37 games. The Knights are excellent at home and Fleury, who will tend to the net again for the second half of a home-and-home series, has been excellent all season.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON vs. DET ($18) – Despite notching a point in consecutive games, Galchenyuk has taken a step back this season and may fail to score 20 goals for the second straight year. He's been very good against the Wings and he's playing on the second line, but the smarter choice may be to go with Jonathan Drouin.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS at NYR ($26) – The pending free agent is having an excellent year with a career-high 63 points, emerging as a two-way force on the Caps' blue line. The Rangers and Capitals have a good rivalry, but while the Rangers are pushing the reset button the Capitals remain dogged in their pursuit of a Cup title, and should have a clear advantage in this matchup. In 27 career games against the Rangers, Carlson has scored 14 points.
Drew Doughty, LA vs. CGY ($22) – Both Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are out of the lineup and the Flames are in complete disarray after looking like they could make the playoffs this season. Without having to worry about the Flames' top two scorers, it'll open up the ice for Doughty and Kopitar, who are making a strong push for a playoff spot. Doughty's already scored four points in three games against the Flames this season, and has been averaging a point per game in March.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SJ at CHI ($30) – It's a soft matchup for Burns because the Blackhawks don't have anyone who can really match Burns' size, and their goaltending hasn't been good without Corey Crawford. Burns has scored 60 points for the fourth straight season, but his scoring has come in spurts and he's scored just three goals in his past 25 games. His career numbers against the Blackhawks – four goals and 18 points with a minus-13 rating in 43 games – doesn't breed much confidence either.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at TOR ($19) – For the third straight season Ristolainen will average more than 25 minutes per game even though the Sabres have consistently said they'd like to reduce his workload. All things considered, Ristolainen is having an okay season on a bad team that relies too much on the 23-year-old, but he'll be overmatched against the Leafs, who have a healthy Matthews in the lineup. Ristolainen has been held without a point in his past four games and has just four assists in 11 games in March.
