This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With one NHL game Sunday, Yahoo's DFS contest includes Monday's two games. That means you are picking players from six teams. Here are my recommendations on who to target, and to avoid.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS at CLM ($28): Rask is the second-cheapest goalie, even though he's played some great hockey recently. Yes, he allowed three goals Saturday, but none were soft, and prior to that he had a 2.11 GAA and .933 save percentage in the postseason. A few really good goalies are available, so why not grab the one that lets you save a few bucks?
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jordan Binnington, STL at DAL ($32): Binnington had a great regular season, but it was our first real look at him, and he only appeared in 32 games. I'm not saying he can't handle the playoffs, but his numbers have definitely been weaker recently. In his last 10 starts he's posted a 2.91 GAA and .903 save percentage, and this is a road start.
CENTER
Roope Hintz, DAL vs. STL ($16): Hintz has helped finally give the Stars some depth offensively. Centering Dallas' second line, he's notched five goals and three assists in his last eight games. As noted, Jordan Binnington has a 2.91 GAA and .903 save percentage in his last 10 outings.
CENTER TO AVOID
Tomas Hertl, SAN at COL ($25): Hertl had a great series against Vegas, but his numbers dropped versus the Avalanche until he scored twice in Game 5. That was at home, though, and this game is on the road. Furthermore, Philipp Grubauer is tough between the pipes, posting a 1.74 GAA and .946 save percentage in his last 24 games. Plus, the Avalanche had a 2.80 GAA at home this season, which was just outside the top 10.
WING
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs. SAN ($24): Landeskog has played great since returning from injury, as he has 12 points and 48 shots in his last 15 games. The Swede also had 27 points with the extra man this year. Meanwhile, the Sharks really struggled defensively on the road. They had a 3.44 GAA and the 22nd-ranked penalty kill in road games.
Kevin Labanc, SAN at COL ($16): Labanc started 58.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among Sharks forwards. He also had 20 points with the extra man. Additionally, the Avalanche had the 25th-ranked penalty kill this year. I know I suggested avoiding Tomas Hertl, but with only three games, it's hard to avoid players from more than one team. Also, and just as important, Labanc is $9 cheaper.
WINGS TO AVOID
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL at DAL ($27): This is about Tarasenko's price, and also the matchup. The Stars had a 2.24 GAA at home this year, lowest in the NHL. However, things have been going even better recently with Ben Bishop in net. His last 12 games he has a 1.95 GAA and .940 save percentage.
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. STL ($21): Benn does have seven assists in the playoffs, but he only has two goals in the postseason. If you want to drill down a bit, he only has one goal in his last nine outings. On top of that, it'll be hard for Benn to get anything done on the power play. The Blues actually had the best penalty kill in road games this season.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL vs. SAN ($18): After winning the Hobey Baker, Makar jumped right into Colorado's postseason lineup. He's looked up to the task as well, as he has five points in eight games. Throw in the fact the Sharks had a 3.44 GAA and .883 save percentage on the road, and the young defenseman should keep it going.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. STL ($15): It's a day for promising young players on the blue line. Although Heiskanen only has four points in the playoffs, he's notched 25 shots on goal and 22 blocked shots in 11 games. The Finn also scored 12 goals on 182 shots as a 19-year-old rookie. At this price, why not bet on talent, especially since Jordan Binnington has a 2.91 GAA in his last 10 starts.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Seth Jones, CLM vs. BOS ($25): Jones is tied for being the second-most expensive defenseman Sunday, which means he has to really play well to pay off in your lineup. Tuukka Rask has a 2.35 GAA in his last 25 games, including a 2.11 GAA in the playoffs prior to Friday. The Bruins did have a middling penalty kill, but Jones failed to score a power-play goal this season, so he may not take advantage of that.
Torey Krug, BOS at CLM ($21): Rask has scored exactly one goal in his last 27 games. He's also a player who does most of his damage on the power play. Thirty of his 53 points came with the extra man this year. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets had the second-ranked penalty kill.
