Yahoo DFS Hockey: Monday Picks

Yahoo DFS Hockey: Monday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.

There are two matchups in the NHL on Monday with a Game 7 showdown between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens, and the second meeting between the Bruins and Islanders in their Round 2 series. Toronto and Boston are both significant favorites. Here are picks and pans for each position for the featured contests at Yahoo.

All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.

GOALIE

Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. NYI ($33): The Bruins held the Islanders to just 38 shots attempts and four high-danger scoring chances in Game 1, and Rask has won five consecutive games with a .943 save percentage and 1.65 GAA. With only four goalies to fill two lineup spots, it's hard to look past Rask for one of them. 

GOALIE TO AVOID

Ilya Sorokin, NYI at BOS ($32): With seven goals allowed through the past two games, the stage might be becoming too bright for the Russian rookie. Additionally, the Bruins ran over the Islanders in Game 1 with a 65.9 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five and nine more high-danger scoring chances overall. If New York turns to Semyon Varlamov ($34) in net, he's also a risky start.

CENTER

Auston Matthews, TOR vs. MON ($34): It would be surprising if Matthews didn't have better puck luck and capitalize on his opportunities Monday. He's totaled 32 shots, 57 attempts and 13 individual high-danger scoring chances with just a single goal and a 3.1 shooting percentage to show for it. 

CENTER TO AVOID

Mathew Barzal, NYI at BOS ($19): It was a miserable Game 1 showing from Barzal, as he was on the ice for just three shot attempts with a 20.0 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five and registered just a single shot himself. It's also worth noting that his ice time was down to a playoff-low 16:24, and winger Leo Komorov ($10) joining his flank isn't encouraging, either. 

WING

David Pastrnak, BOS vs. NYI ($32): With five goals through the past three contests, which includes a hat trick in Game 1, there's reason to count on some negative statistical correction for Pastrnak. However, it's a shallow winger pool, and his shot volume provides both a high floor and a high- ceiling. Pastrnak has 36 shots, 60 attempts and 14 individual high-danger scoring chances through six postseason games. 

Cole Caufield, MON at TOR ($14): It's been somewhat of a quiet postseason for Caulfield, as he's registered just seven shots, 14 attempts and a single high-danger scoring chances through four outings. His upside relative to the cap hit is still intriguing, though. Caufield has an elite shooting arsenal and will probably be deployed in favorable offensive situations again in Game 7 -- especially if Montreal falls behind early. 

WINGS TO AVOID

Tyler Toffoli, MON at TOR ($20): Underwhelming five-on-five results have led to a minus-5 rating through the past four games for Toffoli. While he did find the scoresheet twice with the man advantage in Game 6, the plus-minus risk significantly cuts into his upside, and he's also only registered 15 shots through the first six contests of the series. .

Anthony Beauvillier, NYI at BOS ($19): Sporting a five-game point streak consisting of four tallies, three helpers and a 25.0 shooting percentage, look for some negative scoring regression for Beauvillier. He was also caved in at five-on-five in Game 1 with a minus-3 rating and 28.1 Corsi For percentage. 

DEFENSE

Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. NYI ($19): The emerging superstar has somewhat quietly posted excellent fantasy results in each of Boston's six postseason games. McAvoy is up to six points, 17 shots, 10 blocks with a plus-6 rating while averaging 26:26 per game and 3:33 with the man advantage. Add his role as power-play quarterback of the No. 1 unit, and this salary is short.

Shea Weber, MON at TOR ($12): It's been a hit-or-miss postseason for Weber, but he registered four shots, eight attempts and three blocks in Game 6 to highlight his high-fantasy floor. Weber's salary also continues to dip, so considering his cross-category potential and average of 25:33 of ice time per game (2:17 with the man advantage), he's an upside source of cap relief.

DEFENSE TO AVOID

Scott Mayfield, NYI at BOS ($18): After a strong start to the postseason, Mayfield has registered just five shots, eight blocks and a plus-3 rating through the past four outings while barely seeing any power-play ice time. He was also on the ice for 10 more five-on-five shot attempts against than attempts for in Game 1.

Nick Leddy, NYI at BOS ($14):  There's little risk in targeting Leddy at this low of a salary, but he's still been extremely unproductive through seven postseason games. The 30-year-old defenseman has just two assists, four shots, 13 attempts and nine blocks.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
Neil is a former RotoWire contributor. A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil had contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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