This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are five games in the NHL on Monday, and the Panthers, Oilers and Wild are all facing elimination. The Golden Knights and Maple Leafs are the largest favorites on the docket, and every game has a 5.5 over/under total. Here are picks and pans for each position for the featured contests at Yahoo.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. MIN ($35): As noted, Vegas are significant favorites on home ice in Game 5. Fleury has recorded a .966 save percentage and allowed just four goals through the first four games of the series. His .921 save percentage on high-danger shots also is a playoff high.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at FLA ($36): This will be the seventh straight game against Florida for Vasilevskiy dating back to the regular season, and he sports an underwhelming 3-3 record, .902 save percentage and 3.61 GAA. It's probably unlikely he has a horrible outing, but the salary is high, and the Panthers have scored 22 goals during the noted six-game stretch.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at WPG ($35): As expected, McDavid left an impact on Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss with three assists and 21.6 fantasy points. Facing elimination, it would be surprising if the Art Ross winner doesn't have another solid outing.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. EDM ($25): Expect the Oilers to play desperation hockey Monday, and Scheifele will likely be tasked with matching up against Connor McDavid ($35) and/or Leon Draisaitl ($34) at five-on-five for the majority of the game. With a deep and top-heavy center pool, there are likely better lineup fits that don't carry the same plus-minus risk.
WING
Anthony Cirelli, TB at FLA ($12): With two goals and two assists through the past three games, Cirelli should probably be more expensive. He's locked into a top-six role and receives power-play time, and the Panthers have surrendered 19 goals through the first four games of the series.
Josh Anderson, MON vs. TOR ($12): This is a reasonable salary to target Anderson at. He's attempted nine shots and has a team-high four individual high-danger scoring chances through the first two games of the series.
WINGS TO AVOID
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG vs. EDM ($26): With a pair of goals on just three shots and five attempts, Ehlers made an impressive return to the lineup after missing almost a month of action. It would be a little surprising to see him post a second consecutive multi-point night, though, and that's probably what's required to return value at his salary.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM at WPG ($20): While registering six shots was encouraging, Nugent-Hopkins missed the scoresheet for the third straight game to start the postseason. He also spent the majority of his five-on-five minutes skating on an underwhelming line with Ryan McLeod ($10) and Zack Kassian ($10).
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK at MIN ($23): Statistical correction is ahead for Theodore. The power-play quarterback has only found the scoresheet once through the past 12 games dating back to the regular season. He finished the campaign with the second most points per 60 minutes among regular defensemen, so the offense should return sooner than later.
Rasmus Sandin, TOR at MON ($11): The young defenseman is playing sheltered minutes tilted to offensive situations, and he's quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. After scoring in Game 2, Sandin is a solid low-salary target with upside.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Jeff Petry, MON vs. TOR ($19): It's likely Petry will spend a lot of time facing off against Auston Matthews ($34) again Monday, which makes him a notable plus-minus risk. Matthews attempted 10 shots and recorded three points during Saturday's win, and Petry hasn't found the scoresheet through the first two games of the series.
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA vs. TB ($18): With just a single assist and no double-digit fantasy point showings through the first four games of the series, Weegar hasn't been a strong contributor. He also hasn't been skating with the No. 1 power-play unit, which also hurts his upside.
