This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL returned Friday after a three-day hiatus due to the holidays, and six teams playing Saturday already got back on the ice last night. Get in on the daily fantasy action with the tips and tricks laid out in Saturday's Yahoo DFS article.
GOALIE
Philipp Grubauer, COL at DAL ($31): Grubauer struggled a bit before the break, but he garners an intriguing road matchup. The Stars have been unproductive offensively in December, ranking 27th with 1.82 GF/60 at even strength, per Natural Stat Trick. Grubauer has been solid on the road this year as well -- he has a .914 save percentage.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carey Price, MON at TB ($29): Price's play before the break was up and down, as he finished below .890 save percentage twice and above a .930 save percentage three times over the past five games. Traveling to Tampa Bay could bring out a bust performance in Price, as the Lightning lead the league with 3.95 goals per home game.
CENTER
Kevin Hayes, PHI at SJ ($18): Hayes is back on the second line, and he's been productive lately with three goals and four assists over the past five games. The 27-year-old has a 51.3 Corsi For percentage in tow, and he'll be firing pucks at the Sharks' putrid crease, which has yielded a league-high 3.55 GA/60 at even strength in December.
CENTER TO AVOID
Dylan Larkin, DET at FLA ($19): Larkin leads the Red Wings by a wide margin in shots on net (122), but he's not a dependable fantasy option. The 23-year-old has notched just two points over the past seven games, and he's marked a minus-7 rating in that span. Florida has seemingly figured out its issues in the crease as well, posting just 2.0 GA/60 in December.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA vs. DET ($27): Huberdeau was on fire before the holiday break, going on a four-game point streak where he posted three goals and eight helpers. The 26-year-old leads the team in goals (14) and points (48), and he'll be up against a vulnerable Detroit team, which has allowed 3.37 GA/60 at even strength in December.
Nick Schmaltz, ARI at VGK ($17): The arrival of Taylor Hall helps alleviate the pressure across all four Coyotes lines, and Schmaltz has been impressive with points in four straight games, totaling seven helpers and a plus-5 rating since the blockbuster trade. The Golden Knights have had some difficult outings lately, so Schmaltz comes in at a top-tier value.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, SJ vs. PHI ($21): Kane has gone pointless in seven of the last nine outings, and while his shot volume provides a steady floor, it makes him a risky tournament play. The 28-year-old winger finds a good chunk of his success on the power play as well -- 10 of 26 points with the man advantage -- and Philadelphia's eighth-ranked penalty kill (83.0 percent) won't make it easy to crack the slump.
Alex Tuch, VGK vs. ARI ($18): Tuch's production is down this year with just 11 points through 23 games. He's struggled with injuries, and now he's on the third line up against a stout Arizona defense. Tuch's had a tough stretch with just one point over the past seven outings, so he's a high-risk option that could spoil fantasy lineups.
DEFENSE
Ryan Ellis, NAS at PIT ($20): Ellis' ice time is booming in December with an average of 25:13 per game, and he's capitalized on the increased opportunities with nine points and a plus-7 rating over 10 contests. The Penguins have allowed eight points over the past three games to opposing blueliners, so fire up Ellis with confidence in tournaments.
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. DET ($17): Yandle has racked up 30 points through 36 games -- the best pace of his career -- and half of those have come with the man advantage. Up against the Wings' league-worst penalty kill (73.2 percent), Yandle is in prime position to exceed the low valuation his price tag signals.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Jacob Trouba, NYR at TOR ($18): Trouba finally snapped a seven-game pointless streak in Friday's win over Carolina. His fantasy opportunities are slipping with just 40.9 percent of shifts starting in the offensive zone, and he'll need more chances to be a strong option against Frederik Andersen and the Maple Leafs.
Jamie Oleksiak, DAL vs. COL ($17): Oleksiak has registered just one point over the past seven games, and he's averaging just 16:32 of ice time per contest. He has started just 44.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and a matchup against the aforementioned Grubauer won't make things easier.
