This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Monday, but the featured Yahoo contests don't include the Montreal-Calgary bout beginning at 6:30 EST. Of the remaining seven matchups, the Avalanche and Kings are receiving the most chalk, whereas the other five matchups project to be close. Here are picks and pans for each position ahead of Monday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Cal Petersen, LA vs. ANH ($27): There's been a lot of inconsistency in Petersen's game this season, but it's to be expected backstopping one of the worst teams in the league. However, he's still managed to post a rock-solid .917 save percentage for the campaign, and the Ducks enter as a notable underdog and scoring the fewest goals per game in the league.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. EDM ($36): With an underwhelming .889 save percentage and 3.65 GAA through five starts against Edmonton this season, this probably isn't the preferred matchup to target a bounce-back showing from Hellebuyck. He's allowed nine goals on 67 shots through his past three appearances, including in a 3-0 loss to the Oilers on April 17. There are enough values at the position to look past Hellebuyck's hefty salary.
CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. FLA ($12): The veteran has found the scoresheet in three consecutive games, and while his season-long 1.22 points per 60 minutes rank 230th among NHL regulars, Johansen is still skating on the top line and with the No. 1 power-play unit. It's rare to find a player in a top offensive role in Johansen's salary range. Just note, the Panthers are allowing just 2.67 goals per game this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan O'Reilly, STL vs. COL ($22): In Saturday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche, O'Reilly spent the majority of his five-on-five ice time matched up against Colorado's No. 1 line centered by Nathan MacKinnon ($34). It's a daunting on-ice matchup, as MacKinnon boasts 62.6 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five for the campaign, and a rebound showing from MacKinnon and the Avalanche shouldn't surprise.
WING
Brock Boeser, VAN vs. OTT ($20): Ottawa has allowed the most goals per game in the league, and Boeser is locked into top-line duty and skating with the No. 1 power-play unit. His salary doesn't break the bank, and Boeser is in solid form with three tallies, five helpers and 22 shots while logging 20:53 of ice time per game (2:57 with the man advantage).
Kevin Labanc, SJ vs. ARI ($13): The top-line winger has been limited to just a single assist through the past eight games, and his salary has dropped considerably as a result. Labanc has remained dangerous, though. He's been on the ice for 30 high-danger scoring chances and attempted 40 individual shots, so statistical correction is ahead. Labanc also plays a key puck-distributor role on the No. 1 power-play unit, and Arizona has surrendered a healthy 3.08 goals per game.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at NSH ($26): Currently sporting a seven-game point streak, Huberdeau's salary has crept up, and this is a tough matchup with Nashville allowing a league-low 42 goals during its current 15-5-1 stretch. While still a matchup-proof talent, the 27-year-old winger should probably be viewed as a risky start Monday.
Jason Robertson, DAL vs. CAR ($23): The rookie winger has found the scoresheet in nine of his past 10 games for six tallies and seven helpers, so this fade is more about the tough matchup against Carolina. The Hurricanes have the third best Corsi For percentage in the league at five-on-five and boast a third-ranked 84.5 penalty-kill percentage, after all.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. OTT ($17): The 21-year-old defenseman picked up an assist during Saturday's win and sports a seventh-ranked 2.1 points per 60 minutes among regular defensemen over the past two years. As noted, there's nothing scary about a matchup with the Senators, and Hughes is locked in as the power-play quarterback on the No. 1 unit.
Drew Doughty, LA vs. ANH ($17): It's been a poor stretch for the veteran, as Doughty has recorded just seven points through the past 16 games and missed the scoresheet in 11 of those contests. This is a bounce-back matchup, though. Anaheim has allowed 3.0 goals per game during its current 5-11-1 stretch, and Doughty provides solid peripheral coverage with 81 shots and 68 blocks this season.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Tyler Myers, VAN vs. OTT ($18): The veteran defenseman continues to carry a significant salary despite registering just a single goal and assist through the past 14 games. There's a respectable fantasy floor through Myers' contributions in the secondary categories, as he's racked up 37 shots and 27 blocks during the noted stretch, but his limited offensive contributions definitely don't match his current salary.
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA at NSH ($18): As noted, this is a tough matchup for the Panthers, and Weegar doesn't receive significant power-play time. Additionally, he's coming off an incredible 34.6 fantasy-point showing against Carolina on Saturday that drove his salary back up. Chasing another huge performance is ill-advised.
