This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The main contests at Yahoo consist of the five late games beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST. Philadelphia and Washington come in as road favorites, whereas Chicago, Nashville and New York are all receiving chalk at home. The highest over/under total is in the Capitals-Devils contest. Here are some leans and fades to consider when assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Carter Hart, PHI at BUF ($24): It's been a tough season for Hart, but his struggles are also built into his salary and this is primed as a bounce-back matchup. Buffalo has scored a league-low 1.39 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and the 22-year-old netminder might also have the luxury of facing the Sabres without Jack Eichel after the center missed Saturday's contest with a lower-body injury.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Kevin Lankinen, CHI vs. DET ($38): The Red Wings broke out Saturday with a 5-3 win and have now picked up consecutive victories while totaling 10 goals in the process. Typically, it wouldn't be a huge concern considering Detroit has still scored the second fewest goals per game in the league this season. However, Lankinen carries a position-high salary and has allowed nine tallies through his past two starts.
CENTER
Max Domi, CLS at NSH ($10): The 25-year-old forward recorded 72 points - including 28 goals - through 82 games for the Canadiens just two years ago, so Domi's been a major disappointment with only seven through 22 to start 2021. The talent isn't in question while his secondary role should present favorable five-on-five matchups. Domi's still receiving power-play time and the Predators enter with the league's third worst penalty-kill percentage. The contest-low salary is obviously the biggest draw.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jack Eichel, BUF vs. PHI ($28): As noted, Eichel (lower body) didn't suit up for Saturday's contest and could take the ice at less than 100 percent even if he plays Sunday. And this salary doesn't match his recent production. While there's definitely positive offensive regression ahead, Eichel's still recorded only two goals and 12 assists with a minus-7 rating through 16 games.
WING
Jakub Vrana, WAS at NJ ($17): The Devils are struggling with the league's worst penalty-kill percentage, so Vrana's a nice value. He's locked into an offensive role, which includes skating with the No. 1 power-play unit. Vrana's 1.22 goals, 2.44 points and 9.16 shots per 60 minutes are also solid marks for a player in his salary range.
Viktor Arvidsson, NSH vs. CLS ($15): The Blue Jackets have surrendered the fifth most goals per game this season, and Arvidsson is eyeing statistical correction in the goals column with no tallies in 12 games despite 39 shots.
WINGS TO AVOID
Bryan Rust, PIT at NYI ($23): Rust's salary appears high considering he's riding a four-game point drought and landing in a tough matchup. The Islanders have allowed the fourth fewest goals per game this year and it's also worth noting Rust's even-strength role alongside center Evgeni Malkin ($22) isn't the ripe position it's been in the past. The duo have only clicked for four goals all season at five-on-five.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS at NJ ($23): As noted, this is a favorable matchup for the Washington power play and Carlson enters in high-end form with a goal, six assists and 10 shots through the past four games. The power-play quarterback's salary is also manageable considering his 2.35 points per 60 minutes pace all regular defensemen over the past three years.
Adam Boqvist, CHI vs. DET ($10): A carryover from Saturday, Boqvist's contest-low salary opens oodles of cap space and is in the same favorable matchup against Detroit. The Red Wings have surrendered 3.09 goals per game and register a 30th-ranked 70.8 penalty-kill percentage. Boqvist continues to quarterback Chicago's No. 1 power-play unit and collected two assists against Detroit on Saturday.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH vs. CLS ($22): A quick look at Josi's game log highlights his up-and-down season, so his hefty salary makes him even more of a risk. Additionally, he's posted a minus-6 rating through the past nine games, which drains value in these scoring settings. There's still plenty of upside if you're looking for a high-risk, high-reward option.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at BUF ($18): The 27-year-old defenseman has scored two goals and added an assist through the past two games, so the form is attractive. However, Gostisbehere still sports an underwhelming 0.97 points per hour for the campaign. He's also a plus-minus risk with a minus-24 mark over the previous two seasons.
