This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are two games in the NHL on Monday with the Canadiens looking to move onto Round 3 with a home-ice win over the Jets, and the Bruins hosting the Islanders in Game 5 of their 2-2 series. Montreal and Boston are both favorites, and it's worth noting the Canadiens and Jets are playing for the second consecutive night after Montreal won 5-1 on Sunday. Here are recommended targets and fades for each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. WPG ($28): With Sunday's win, Price sports an active 6-0 record with a .949 save percentage and 1.59 GAA. Winnipeg could delay the likely inevitable with a win Monday, but Price remains the least expensive starter in the goalie pool while also being in the best current form.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at MON ($31): With an underwhelming .898 save percentage and 3.07 GAA for the series, Hellebuyck's play is one of the reasons Winnipeg is facing elimination Monday. While there's definitely potential for a strong showing from the reigning Vezina winner, just know he's allowed three goals or more in four of his past five starts.
CENTER
Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. NYI ($29): Look for a bounce-back showing from Bergeron after he was held off the scoresheet Saturday for just the third time through nine playoff games. Boston's No. 1 center is locked into a go-to role and recorded a rock-solid four goals, four assists and 37 shots in the postseason.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mathew Barzal, NYI at BOS ($19): The 24-year-old center has stood out over the past three games with two tallies, two helpers and 11 shots, and his salary remains reasonable. With that in mind, this is more of a matchup fade because Boston has allowed the third fewest goals per 60 minutes during the playoffs after allowing the fourth fewest goals per game during the regular season.
WING
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. NYI ($32): After scoring five goals through a three-game stretch, Pastrnak has registered just two assists through the past three games despite registering 11 shots, 26 attempts and six individual high-danger scoring chances. A return to the goals column shouldn't surprise given how many quality opportunities Pastrnak will likely have.
Cole Caufield, MON vs. WPG ($12): The rookie is up to 11 shots and 12 attempts through the past two contests and collected an assist in Sunday's win. Caufield's salary doesn't align with his recent uptick in shot volume or his high-end shooting arsenal, so he checks out as an upside source of cap relief.
WINGS TO AVOID
Blake Wheeler, WPG at MON ($20): Up to a minus-6 rating and without a point during the series, slotting Wheeler into your lineup is risky. Like No. 1 netminder Connor Hellebuyck, it wouldn't be surprising for the Winnipeg captain to have a solid game, as he paces the Jets in shots, attempts and individual high-danger scoring chances, but a definite risk remains.
Josh Bailey, NYI at BOS ($17): With just two shots and three attempts through the past two games, Bailey's fantasy value relies on him finding the scoresheet, and as noted, Boston hasn't been an easy team to score on all season. Don't fret fading Bailey and his low fantasy floor Monday.
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. NYI ($18): It was a rough showing last time out with a minus-3 rating for McAvoy, but his salary dropped, and the power-play quarterback has been otherwise spectacular in the postseason. He's collected eight points, 23 shots and 18 blocks through nine playoff games and is positioned for a bounce-back showing Monday.
Shea Weber, MON vs. WPG ($15): With 12.9 fantasy points Sunday, Weber has now turned in five consecutive solid fantasy showings. He's also found the scoresheet in three straight contests and offers a high fantasy floor because of his secondary contributions. Weber has racked up a rock-solid 26 shots and 15 blocks through 10 postseason contests.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Scott Mayfield, NYI at BOS ($17): The 28-year-old defenseman has only found the scoresheet in three of New York's 10 playoff contests, and Mayfield finished the regular season with just 15 points through 56 games. His lack of offensive upside doesn't match his current salary, and relying on peripheral statistics to move the fantasy needle can be risky. Mayfield's 21 shots, 28 blocks and plus-8 rating during the postseason are solid, though.
