This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are six games in the NHL on Monday. The Maple Leafs and Oilers are the largest favorites on the docket with the Blues and Lightning close behind. The Hurricanes-Blue Jackets and Islanders-Rangers matchups are projected to be close. The North Division games also have the highest over/under totals.
GOALIE
Alex Nedeljkovic, CAR at CLS ($22): In the second leg of the back-to-back set, look for the Ohio native to face the Blue Jackets on Monday. Nedeljkovic has only started four games and made six NHL appearances, so there's definite risk, but expect Carolina and Columbus to play a lower-scoring game than their 6-5 result Sunday. Consider Nedeljkovic a low-cost option as a second netminder.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Semyon Varlamov, NYI at NYR ($36): With a contest-high salary, Varlamov is difficult to justify spending up for. He's allowed three goals or more in each of his past four starts with an .869 save percentage, and the Rangers have scored 14 goals through their past four games. There are safer alternatives.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at OTT ($34): The reigning Art Ross winner sports a nine-game point streak consisting of seven tallies, 11 helpers and a plus-9 rating. Ottawa has surrendered the most goals against per 60 minutes in the league and are the biggest underdog on the docket Monday.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. NYI ($29): While there's positive statistical regression ahead for Zibanejad, the Islanders check out as a difficult matchup. The Isles have surrendered the fourth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league, so expect the Rangers to struggle generating quality opportunities. Additionally, with just three points through 10 games for the season, Zibanejad's hefty salary doesn't match his limited production.
WINGS
Kailer Yamamoto, EDM at OTT ($17): It's been a quiet stretch for the 22-year-old winger with just two points -- one goal -- through the past six contests. With the soft matchup against Ottawa, look for Yamamoto to have a strong game. He's locked in alongside Leon Draisaitl ($34) at five-on-five, and the duo have combined for an impressive 4.64 goals per hour dating back to last season.
Jordan Kyrou, STL vs. ARI ($15): This is a reasonable salary for the Blues' leading scorer. Kyrou's paired with linemates Brayden Schenn ($) and Jaden Schwartz ($) for 4.01 goals per 60 minutes this season, and he's positioned for a rebound showing after missing the scoresheet in three of the past four games. Arizona is a run-of-the-mill team defensively, too. The Coyotes have surrendered a healthy 10.47 high-danger scoring chances and the 10th most expected goals against per hour this year.
WINGS TO AVOID
Artemi Panarin, NYR vs. NYI ($31): The Russian sports a four-game point streak consisting of three goals, six assists and three multi-point showings, so he's in top form. Expect Panarin's opportunities to be tougher to come by Monday, though. As noted, the Islanders are defensively responsible, and Panarin is the second most expensive winger in the player pool.
Filip Forsberg, NSH vs. TB ($23): The Lightning are a tough draw for Forsberg and Nashville. Tampa Bay has surrendered the fewest goals per hour in the league, and Frosberg has only marked the scoresheet in two of the past six games -- he did rack up seven points over those two outings, though. Still, in a deep player pool, there are superior alternatives considering Forsberg's hit-or-miss production and the tough matchup.
DEFENSEMEN
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. VAN ($19): With nine assists, nine shots and six blocks through the past six games, Rielly is cashing in of late. He's found the scoresheet in both games against Vancouver and is locked in as the power-play quarterback of the No. 1 unit. The Canucks have also allowed the second most goals per hour in the league this season and have surrendered 13 goals while shorthanded through 15 games.
Tyson Barrie, EDM at OTT ($19): This salary doesn't match Barrie's recent high-end production. The power-play quarterback has recorded a goal and seven assists during his active five-game point streak while also averaging 5:04 of ice time with the man advantage. As noted, the Senators are the worst defensive team in the league, so the matchup also checks out.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH vs. TB ($24): The Nashville captain recorded an assist in both games against Tampa Bay this season but recorded just 5.9 and 4.9 fantasy points in the two contests. At his salary, you're after better results than that, and there's a notable plus-minus risk with the noted tough matchup.
Quinn Hughes, VAN at TOR ($19): Similarly, Hughes has found the scoresheet in both of the past two games against Toronto, but he's posted a combined minus-five rating to plummet his fantasy point totals. Additionally, while it's tough to beat a team three consecutive times, Toronto has limited Vancouver to just 13 high-danger scoring chances through two meetings. The Maple Leafs have generated 31 high-danger chances, which illustrates how lopsided the play has been .
