This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Today's 11-game slate features two afternoon games, but this article focuses on the nine evening games with six starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Within the aforementioned contests, 11 of the 18 teams made the playoffs last year. Choose wisely, and read further for tips and tricks to set your DFS lineup.
GOALIE
Alex Stalock, MIN at CAR ($26): Stalock has stepped up well in Devan Dubnyk's absence, as he's 5-0-2 with a .916 save percentage and 2.67 GAA. The Wild are on an 11-game point streak, and they'll run into a rocky Hurricanes team which has lost three of its last four and averaged just 1.6 goals per game during that stretch.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Louis Domingue, NJ at NSH ($30): Domingue hasn't been impressive over four appearances with the Devils, posting a -3.32 Goals Saved Against Average, which is the second-worst rate over the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Nashville ranks fifth with 59.66 CF/60, so the 27-year-old netminder will have his hands full in this outing.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT at DET ($30): While Sidney Crosby has been out, Malkin has upped his game to the tune of five goals and 12 helpers over 12 games. The veteran is averaging 3.4 shots on net per game as well, giving him a solid floor with high potential against the Red Wings, which has allowed 3.21 GA/60 at even strength over the last month -- the third-highest rate in the league.
CENTER TO AVOID
Auston Matthews, TOR at STL ($34): Matthews is priced as a goal scorer, but that's not what he's been against the Blues. The 22-year-old has lit the lamp just once while failing to post an assist over seven matchups against St. Louis. The Blues have been stingy defensively lately with 1.83 GA/60 over the last month, so he's a high-risk option at this valuation.
WING
Bryan Rust, PIT at DET ($21): Rust has been superb in his top-six role, racking up four goals and six assists over the past seven games while averaging 4.2 shots on net per contest. The 27-year-old is carrying the load with Malkin, and the tandem is a worthy stack.
Calle Jarnkrok, NSH vs. NJ ($14): Jarnkrok has already matched last year's 10-goal total, and he's compiled six points and 21 shots on net over the past seven games. The 28-year-old continues to man to top line with ample power-play minutes, and he'll be up against New Jersey's 76.1 penalty-kill rate -- 24th in the league.
WINGS TO AVOID
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. NYI ($26): Seguin's been a bit inconsistent lately, going pointless in five of his last seven outings. He shoots enough to have a solid floor, but it'll be tough to unearth his potential against the Islanders, who have yielded 2.09 GA/60 at even strength over their last 13 outings.
Tyler Bertuzzi, DET vs. PIT ($18): Bertuzzi's in a slump in terms of rating, as he's marked a minus in six straight contests to total minus-9. He hasn't been racking up the points either with no goals and just two assists in that span, and Pittsburgh is stone cold in net lately with back-to-back shutouts.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. LA ($21): Giordano hasn't been productive recently, but he continues to carry a strong floor with 2.2 blocked shots and 2.5 shots on net per contest. The 36-year-old averages 24:36 of ice time with significant power-play minutes, which will come in handy against the Kings' 28th-ranked penalty kill (75.3 percent).
Kevin Shattenkirk, TB vs. SJ ($19): Shattenkirk's putting up numbers at the highest rate of his career with five goals and 16 assists through 26 games, and he continues to log consistent time with the man advantage. The Sharks are quite vulnerable in net with 3.13 GA/60 over the past month, putting the veteran blueliner in good shape to add to his totals.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Jamie Oleksiak, DAL vs. NYI ($17): Oleksiak's averaging just 14:42 this season while spending most of his time on the bottom pairing, accruing four points over 30 games. It's interesting to see he's still priced this highly, especially up against the Islanders' stellar goaltending tandem.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. COL ($17): McAvoy's not making the surge the Bruins hoped he would, as he's notched zero goals and nine assists over 29 games. He's not positioned well to break his slump now that Torey Krug is back, and the Avalanche have yielded 2.09 GA/60 over the past month.
