This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Lightning are a notable home favorite, and the Bruins are short road favorites in Saturday's two NHL games with Tampa Bay and Carolina beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. The Hurricanes and Islanders will both be looking to tie their respective series at 2-2 with a win. Here are picks and pans for each position for the featured contests at Yahoo.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, CAR at TB ($31): A contrarian lean, Mrazek stopped 35 of 37 shots during Thursday's overtime win. He was fantastic throughout the regular season with a .923 save percentage and 2.06 GAA. Just know there's also potential for Mrazek and the 'Canes to go south in a hurry given Tampa Bay's offensive potential.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. BOS ($34): Look for the levee to break Saturday for Varlamov. While he's turned away 78 of 83 shots (.940 save percentage) through his past two starts, Boston has driven possession with a 59.1 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five while also scoring just two goals on 34 high-danger scoring opportunities. There's probably some statistical correction ahead for both Boston and Varlamov.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS at NYI ($21): The 35-year-old center shouldn't be confused for a sniper, but he's definitely eyeing positive regression in the goals column. Krejci has 26 shots, 37 attempts and 12 individual high-danger scoring chances without finding the back of the net through eight postseason contests. He's also locked into a role on the No. 1 power-play unit.
CENTER TO AVOID
Sebastian Aho, CAR at TB ($32): While there's definite contest-winning upside here, Aho also has a low fantasy floor. He's packed all 10 of his playoff points -- six tallies and four helpers -- into four games while missing the scoresheet entirely in the other five. There's no road-underdog discount in his salary, either.
WING
Taylor Hall, BOS at NYI ($20): A stack candidate with center Krejci, Hall has been solid but unspectacular during the postseason with three tallies, two helpers and 21 shots. He's registered an impressive 11 individual high-danger scoring chances though, so the opportunities have been there for Hall. There's also potential he flies a little under the radar with so much high-end talent in the winger pool.
Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. CAR ($12): There's been some hit-and-miss results with Cirelli, but he's affordable and locked into a significant role with the Lightning. He continues to center the second line and receive power-play time with the No. 2 unit, and the 23-year-old center has also registered a team-high six individual high-danger scoring chances during the series.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brad Marchand, BOS at NYI ($30): With five goals on 25 shots and 12 individual high-danger scoring chances during the playoffs, Marchand is capitalizing on his opportunities. He's only had one multi-point showing though, so he's been more of a floor contributor to this point. Obviously, there's a risk in fading the proven scorer.
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR at TB ($21): The Finn has three assists through his past two games to boost his fantasy output, but the low-volume shooter doesn't offer a target-worth floor or ceiling at this salary. Teravainen has just five shots through the past five games and only 34 attempts over nine postseason contests.
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at NYI ($19): Despite producing at a point-per-game pace and only missing the scoresheet twice through eight playoff games, McAvoy's salary hasn't climbed. He's logged 27:05 of ice time per contest while also quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, and he moves the needle in secondary statistics with 22 shots and 15 blocks.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. CAR ($13): With just two assists through nine postseason games, Sergachev has positive offensive regression ahead. He finished the regular season with a rock-solid 1.46 points per 60 minutes and still logs power-play time on the second unit.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at TB ($27): This fade recommendation is strictly based on Hamilton lining up against Tampa Bay's No. 1 line of Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat for a significant chunk of his five-on-five minutes in Game 3. It cuts into his upside, and there's also a plus-minus risk.
Matt Grzelcyk, BOS at NYI ($17): Without the role of quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, Grzelcyk's fantasy value takes a notable hit. He's been limited to just a single assist, two shots and five blocks while only averaging 18:48 of ice time through the past four games.
