This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The main contests at Yahoo consist of the eight evening NHL games starting at 7 p.m. EST. St. Louis is the largest favorite on the docket with Arizona close behind. After that, the other six games are projected to be close with the highest over/under totals projected to be in the contests featuring the North Division: Toronto at Montreal and Calgary at Edmonton.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, ARI vs. LA ($31): The veteran has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his past 10 starts en route to a .934 save percentage and 1.80 GAA. While the sterling stretch has only resulted in five wins, Arizona is a healthy favorite Saturday, and Los Angeles has generated the fourth-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Frederik Andersen, TOR at MON ($34): With the Canadiens scoring the fifth-most goals and creating the second-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five, this checks out as a tough matchup for Andersen and the Maple Leafs. Plus, the veteran netminder enters with an underwhelming .905 save percentage for the campaign.
CENTER
Jack Roslovic, CLS vs. NSH (17): This is a reasonable salary at which to target Roslovic. He's skating atop the depth chart in all offensive situations and has recorded a respectable four tallies and six helpers through the past nine games. Additionally, there's nothing scary about a date with Nashville, especially considering the Preds' 30th-ranked 67.8 penalty-kill percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. NYI ($27): This is an egregious salary for the 34-year-old Russian. The Islanders have allowed just 2.08 goals and 8.17 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season while also sporting a respectable 82.9 penalty-kill percentage. Malkin registered his first multi-point showing of the season Thursday against them, but he's still recorded just three goals and six assists through 15 games for the campaign.
WING
Brayden Schenn, STL vs. SJ ($20): Despite 6.5 percent shooting through the past eight contests, look for Schenn to post another solid showing against San Jose on Saturday. He recorded 12.5 fantasy points in Thursday's matchup against the Sharks, and San Jose sports a 23rd-ranked 75.4 penalty-kill percentage and has allowed the fifth-most goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season.
Conor Garland, ARI vs. LA ($19): The 24-year-old winger has marked the scoresheet in seven of the past nine games and recorded a respectable five tallies, four helpers and 29 shots. He's also beginning 70.7 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone and skating with the No. 1 power-play unit , seeing 3:09 of ice time per game with the man advantage. Additionally, Garland has clicked with linemates Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller for a high-end 5.57 goals and 17.27 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
William Nylander, TOR at MON ($23): It's easy to fade Nylander at this salary in a deep player pool. He's failed to record double-digit fantasy points in 12 of 18 games this season, and the Canadiens check out as a difficult matchup with just 1.64 goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five -- second fewest in the league. Additionally, Nylander is currently skating with the No. 2 power-play unit.
Filip Forsberg, NSH at CLS ($21): A five-point outburst against Florida on Feb 4. must be buoying Forsberg's salary, because he's failed to mark the scoresheet in seven of the past 11 games. Additionally, after allowing the fifth-fewest goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five last year, Columbus is surrendering the fourth-most in 2021, so there's likely positive regression ahead for the Blue Jackets defensively and in goal.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLS vs. NSH ($18): It's been a smooth stretch for Jones, and as noted, this projects as a favorable matchup for Columbus, especially on the man advantage. The 26-year-old defenseman has recorded eight points, 20 shots and 14 blocks while logging 24:36 of ice time (2:22 with the man advantage) through the past eight contests, and running mate Zach Werenski (lower body) isn't a lock to return to the lineup Saturday.
Mario Ferraro, SJ at STL ($10): At minimum salary, Ferraro is a flier candidate. He's logged 23:08 of ice time per contest and collected five assists, 26 shots and 24 blocks through 15 games. Obviously, those numbers don't jump off the page, but it's rare to find a defenseman with such a go-to role at such a low cap hit.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH at CLS ($20): It's been a down year statistically for Josi, as he's recorded just eight points through 16 games, and of particular concern in these scoring settings, the veteran sports a minus-6 rating. Additionally, Josi has missed the scoresheet entirely nine times this year, and a road matchup against Columbus probably isn't the best spot to target a breakout showing.
Jake Muzzin, TOR at MON ($19): A feast-or-famine offensive contributor this year, Muzzin has piled up an impressive 12 points through 18 games this season. Additionally, he collected three helpers in the most recent game against the Habs. Still, as noted, Montreal checks out as a tough matchup, and Muzzin rarely receives power-play time and begins only 46.6 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone. There are better options with better matchups in his salary range.
