This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The odds suggest there will be a lot of close contests Saturday in the NHL, with the favorites of the eight evening games all under -160. The Predators, Lightning and Flames are receiving the most chalk, and it's worth noting Boston is playing its second game in consecutive nights. Additionally, as has become the norm, the two North Division matchups have the highest over/under totals.
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, CGY at VAN ($36): The Canucks have been limited to just a single goal in each of their past three games, and Markstrom has climbed to a rock-solid 7-3-1 record, .921 save percentage and 2.36 GAA for the campaign. Calgary also sports the seventh-best Corsi For percentage while also allowing the seventh-fewest goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, so the Flames have been defensively stout in front of Markstrom, too.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Kevin Lankinen, CHI vs. CLS ($33): The rookie fell back to earth Thursday, as the Blue Jackets scored six times on 43 shots. Columbus also recorded 30 more five-on-five shot attempts than Chicago, so while the score was close, the on-ice play wasn't. Lankinen still boasts a high-end .924 save percentage for the campaign, but in a deep goalie pool, there are more proven options in his salary range to target.
CENTER
Elias Lindholm, CGY at VAN ($20): The Swedish center has marked the scoresheet in 11 of 13 games this season and lands in a soft matchup Saturday. Vancouver has surrendered the most goals and high-dangers scoring chances at five-on-five in the league this season, and Lindholm's salary doesn't break the bank. He's also locked into a scoring role at even strength and skates with the No. 1 power-play unit.
CENTER TO AVOID
Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. TB ($29): Considering he's registered just a single assist through his past three games, this is a hefty investment for Barkov. Plus, the Lightning are likely positioned for a strong bounce-back showing Saturday after losing 5-2 to Florida on Thursday. Expect the 25-year-old center to line up against Tampa Bay's top players again Saturday, and even after allowing five goals in Thursday's loss, the Lightning have still surrendered the fewest five-on-five goals per 60 minutes in the league this season.
WING
Brendan Gallagher, MON at TOR ($17): With just two tallies through the past seven games, Gallagher has cooled off, but there's rebound potential Saturday. The high-volume shooter still leads the Canadiens in individual high-danger scoring chances and is tied for the most shot attempts. Additionally, as good as Toronto has been defensively, they've still surrendered the seventh-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league at five-on-five.
Jason Robertson, DAL vs. CAR ($13): Sporting a modest three-game point streak and skating in a favorable spot on the second line, Robertson is a cost-effective target. While the sample is limited (29:28 of ice time shared this season), he's impressed with linemates Roope Hintz and Denis Gurianov to connect for 6.11 goals and 18.32 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes.
WINGS TO AVOID
David Pastrnak, BOS at NYI ($35): The Bruins are on the second leg of a back-to-back set, and Pastrnak has been quiet of late with just a single assist through the past three games. While in most cases there would be potential for a breakout showing, the Islanders play low-event hockey and surrender the fifth-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five in the league and have only allowed six power-play goals through 12 games.
Anders Lee, NYI vs. BOS ($18): Held to just two tallies and two helpers through the past 11 games, Lee has statistical correction ahead, especially considering his 5.9 percent shooting during that stretch is way down from his usual. However, the Bruins have won nine of their past 10 games and allowed only 1.88 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five for the campaign. Boston's 89.8 percent success rate on the penalty kill also tops the league.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLS at CHI ($17): Any plus-minus risk is built into Jones' salary, and he picked up his production considerably when Zach Werenski was out with a lower-body injury. Jones collected a tally, five helpers, 14 shots and 10 blocks while logging a hefty 24:32 of ice time (2:40 on the power play) during his five-game point streak, and the matchup is neutral at worst. As noted, Columbus scored six times against Chicago on Thursday.
Juuso Valimaki, CGY at VAN ($11): The 2017 first-round selection is finding his form of late with four assists and 11 shots through the past six contests. While he isn't receiving consistent power-play looks, Valimaki is being utilized in favorable situations, including starting 55.8 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone. As noted, there's nothing scary about a date with the Canucks, either.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
John Klingberg, DAL vs. CAR ($20): After a huge start to the campaign, Klingberg has only found the scoresheet twice through the past six games. He remains in a go-to role with 23:01 of ice time per game (4:47 with the man advantage), but he also took a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-3 loss to Carolina, and the Hurricanes are the best five-on-five possession team in the league with a 57.0 Corsi For percentage.
Jake Muzzin, TOR vs. MON ($19): The veteran piled up three even-strength assists during Wednesday's win over Montreal to jump his salary up $2. Considering he only recorded points in five of the previous 13 contests, the raise is notable. Additionally, Muzzin doesn't receive consistent power-play time, and it's likely Montreal has better results Saturday after generating 20 more five-on-five shot attempts than Toronto on Wednesday.
