This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a huge 14-game slate in the NHL on Saturday, and 12 evening matchups are included in the featured contests at Yahoo. Additionally, the Flyers, Capitals, Lightning, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, Ducks, Wild, Blues, Golden Knights, Avalanche, Kings, Coyotes and Sharks are all playing for the second consecutive night with most being a rematch from Friday. The largest favorites on the docket are the Wild, Avalanche, Oilers, Islanders, Maple Leafs and Jets. Here are picks and pans at each position ahead of Saturday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. OTT ($32): This is almost the perfect spot for another strong showing from Hellebuyck, and a letdown showing from the Senators. Ottawa is on an 8-2-1 run, and the reigning Vezina Trophy winner had lost six of his previous seven decisions before shutting out the Flames on Thursday.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at FLA ($37): As one of the most expensive options from a deep goalie pool, Vasilevskiy carries more risk than usual. After all, his .916 save percentage and 2.78 GAA through four starts against Florida this season check in as underwhelming numbers. The Panthers have also won four straight and are 18-5-3 on home ice for the campaign, and Tampa Bay is playing its second game in consecutive nights, whereas Florida has been resting since Monday.
CENTER
Peyton Krebs, VGK vsSTL ($10): Shifted to the top of the depth chart midway through Friday's contest, Krebs clicked with Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone to generate four high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five. Double-check that Max Pacioretty is out again with an undisclosed injury, and if so, Krebs offers both cap relief and upside.
Alex Newhook, COL at LA ($10): Another rookie with a contest-minimum salary, Newhook found the scoresheet Friday, and he centered J.T. Compher and Andre Burakovsky. Newhook also received 1:57 of power-play time. He's being given a legitimate chance to show off ahead of the playoffs, and there's nothing scary about a date with the Kings. The Avs have topped them in four of five meetings this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Josh Norris, OTT at WPG ($20): The rookie has found his offensive stride skating on the No. 1 line between Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson with five goals and seven assists through the past 12 games. However, a road game against Winnipeg could prove difficult with a likely heavy dose of on-ice matchups against two-way centers Mark Scheifele, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Adam Lowry.
WING
Joe Thornton, TOR vs. MON ($12): Skating on the No. 1 line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the top line, Thornton's a strong lean from his salary range. He's rolling along a seven-game point streak and also appears to be peaking heading into the playoffs. Montreal has also allowed 61 goals through its past 18 games, including 10 over the past two.
Kyle Palmieri, NYI vs. NJ ($10): Perhaps a date with his former club can help Palmieri shake his current scoring woes. The veteran has just two assists through his past 12 games, and his season-long shooting percentage has dropped to 8.2, which is well below the 13.6 percent mark he posted through five seasons with New Jersey. The Devils also surrender the fifth-most goals per game in the league, so the matchup is ripe.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA vs. TB ($27): As noted, this is a back-to-back spot for the Lightning, but it's still probably not the best matchup in which to spend up for a winger. Huberdeau has been limited to just two goals and three assists through six meetings against Tampa Bay this season, and it would be surprising if the Lightning weren't paying attention to detail defensively after allowing five goals to Dallas on Friday.
Brock Boeser, VAN at EDM ($19): The 24-year-old winger has scored in each of the past three games and added an assist in Thursday's 6-2 win over Edmonton. Look for negative regression to Boeser's 30.0 percent shooting during the noted stretch, as he's also now up to a career-high 17.1 percent mark. Plus, the Oilers have surrendered the ninth-fewest goals per game in the league this season.
DEFENSE
Neal Pionk, WPG vs. OTT ($17): With an assist in consecutive games and a role quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, Pionk is a solid target against the Senators. Ottawa is allowing the second-most goals per game in the league, and Pionk's 1.63 points per 60 minutes over the past two seasons rank 10th among regular blueliners.
Filip Hronek, DET at CLS ($10): The third-year defenseman came through with 17.6 fantasy points Friday, and he warrants another look as a low-salary flier against the reeling Blue Jackets. Columbus has surrendered 3.61 goals per game since April 1, and Hronek logs an average of 23:06 of ice time per game with 2:34 on the power play, so he's positioned to have another solid outing.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at NSH ($28): Another fade all about salary and matchup, Hamilton could easily pace all blueliners in fantasy points Saturday. He's been a little more inconsistent of late and missed the scoresheet in six of his past nine games, though. Additionally, Nashville has turned its season around down the stretch and surrendered just 2.59 goals per game since mid-March.
Roman Josi, NSH vs. CAR ($22): On the flip side of the Nashville-Carolina tilt, Josi is probably also a risky start considering Carolina's strengths. The Hurricanes pace the league in five-on-five save percentage and rank fourth in Corsi For percentage, and they've also surrendered the third-fewest goals per game. Additionally, Josi has missed the scoresheet in eight of his past 14 games.
