This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are four matchups in the NHL on Saturday, and Yahoo has a single-game contest for each where you're not position-restricted and select five players while staying under the salary cap. The action starts with the Lightning-Panthers bout at 12:30 p.m. EDT and runs through the Golden Knights-Wild game at 8 p.m. Here are a handful of picks and pans from the player pools.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Picks
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. MON ($34): Held off the scoresheet in Game 1, look for Matthews to leave a mark on Game 2. He registered eight shots on 13 attempts Thursday, so the opportunities were there. Additionally, he drove possession with a 67.7 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five in the series opener.
Jack Campbell, TOR vs. MON ($33): Toronto is a notable favorite for a bounce-back win in Game 2 and Campbell was solid in his playoff debut, turning away 28 of 30 shots in the opener. He posted a .921 save percentage and 2.15 GAA during the regular season, and the Maple Leafs allowed the sixth-fewest five-on-five goals per 60 minutes.
Kevin Fiala, MIN vs. VGK ($17): It's been a quiet start to the postseason for Fiala, as he's been held pointless through three games with a minus-4 rating. However, he's registered a team-high 22 shot attempts and has generated four individual high-danger scoring chances while being on the ice for nine, so at this salary, he's a potential breakout candidate in Game 4.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. FLA ($12): Sporting a six-game point drought with a minus-6 rating dating back to the regular season, Sergachev is mired in his worst stretch of the season. His salary has plummeted as a result, which turns the 22-year-old Russian into a value. After all, he recorded 30 points, 108 shots, 73 blocks and averaged 2:04 of power-play time per outing through 56 regular-season games.
Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. FLA ($10): It's surprising to see Cirelli's salary so low considering he's found the scoresheet in consecutive games and is locked into a top-six role. He's also generated a team-high four high-danger scoring chances through the first three games of the series against Florida.
Alex Galchenyuk, TOR vs. MON ($10): Projected to return to the lineup for Game 2 and skate with Nick Foligno and William Nylander, Galchenyuk ranked third on the Maple Leafs in high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five. He's another top-six forward to consider at minimum salary.
Pans
Max Pacioretty, VGK at MIN ($34): A game-time decision Saturday, Pacioretty hasn't played since May 1 because of an undisclosed injury. If he returns to the lineup, it's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach given his high salary.
Cam Talbot, MIN vs. VGK ($33): After shutting out the Golden Knights in Game 1, Talbot has allowed seven goals on 67 shots in consecutive losses. Vegas has driven possession during the series and doubled up the Wild in goals 8-4. It's also worth noting Talbot limped into the playoffs with a 2-2-2 record, .857 save percentage and 3.93 GAA through his final six regular-season starts.
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. FLA ($28): This is a steep salary for Stamkos. He's been excellent since returning to the lineup with two goals, two assists and six shots through the first three games of the series. Call it a hunch that his 33.3 percent postseason shooting takes a hit in Game 4.
Jeff Carter, PIT at NYI ($19): With eight goals on 47.1 percent shooting through the past five games dating back to the regular season, Carter is an obvious candidate for statistical correction. The veteran has been bumped down to the third line with Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup, and Carter doesn't skate with the No. 1 power-play unit.
Frederick Gaudreau, PIT at NYI ($17): The 28-year-old forward has carved out a role for the Penguins and is producing impressive numbers of late with a goal and six assists through his past six games dating back to the regular season. However, he has just five shots during that stretch and has an unproven track record at the highest level, so it makes sense to fade Gaudreau at his rising salary.
