This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There's a few teams playing on the second leg of a back-to-back Tuesday, including the Bruins and Penguins finishing off a two-game series between teams with big names and Stanley Cup hopes. What are your hopes? Probably to have some DFS success Tuesday, giving you a little extra cash in your pocket for St. Patrick's Day (celebrate responsibly). We've got seven games on the slate, and here are my recommendations for players to target, and to avoid.
GOALIE
James Reimer, CAR at DET ($28): Reimer and Alex Nedeljkovic have been swapping starts while the 'Canes wait for Petr Mrazek to get healthy, and it's Reimer turn to start if that holds. Which is good, because any chance to face the Wings is a positive. Detroit has managed a mere 2.21 goals per game and has also only averaged 28.0 shots on net per contest, so Reimer shouldn't feel too challenged.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. TAM ($26): The Stars seem to be starting Khudobin and Jake Oettinger in two-game blocks, which would mean Khudobin getting the start in this one. While he was stellar last season, the 34-year-old has a .907 save percentage this year. Sure, he has a 2.65 GAA thanks to his strong defense, but no defense can really hold up against the Lightning. Tampa has scored 3.73 goals per game, by far tops in the NHL.
CENTER
Jack Hughes, NJD vs. BUF ($11): Hughes still hasn't lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he was drafted, but this year has been a step in the right direction. He's now Jersey's first-line center and has averaged 19:13 in ice time. Hughes also has 14 points in 25 games after only having 21 in 61 games last year. The Sabres are going to be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back here, and they are in the bottom five in GAA and missing their top goalie Linus Ullmark.
CENTER TO AVOID
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. NYI ($17): Kuznetsov has been snakebit this season, as he hasn't scored a goal in 12 games. His 6.5 percent shooting is well below his career average, but offensive luck against the Islanders has been scarce. The Islanders have the lowest GAA in the league, and that's a surprise to nobody given the way Barry Trotz teams tend to play hockey. Kuznetsov will probably have to wait to light the lamp for at least one more game.
WING
Bryan Rust, PIT vs. BOS ($24): Rust has been as active as he's ever been offensively, as he's put 90 shots on goal in 28 games. Playing on Pittsburgh's first line with Sidney Crosby certainly helps. Usually, a matchup with the Bruins is a concern, but this is a different story. These teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back, and Tuukka Rask is out right now. That means Jaroslav Halak will have to pull double duty or we are about to see Boston's third-string goalie in action. Either way, it bodes well for Rust.
Kieffer Bellows, NYI at WAS ($14): There is an opportunity here for Bellows. Anders Lee is unfortunately out for the rest of the season, and since then Bellows has been played on New York's top line with Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle. Yes, we don't know much about Bellows, but since returning to the lineup he has three goals in two games. The Capitals are on the second leg of a back-to-back, while the Islanders are rested. In terms of low-salary options that intrigue me, Bellows has some real upside. You can save some salary here and splash the cash elsewhere.
WINGS TO AVOID
Rickard Rakell, ANA at COL ($19): The Ducks have had offensive woes this year, but recently Rakell exploded for 12 points in six games. Of course, now he hasn't had a point in his last three games. Maybe that hot streak was just a blip on a radar. I don't feel confident in Rakell's chances against the Avalanche, as they've allowed a league-low 25.0 shots on net per game. He is a volume shooter, and he hasn't had a shooting percentage over 9.3 in his last three seasons.
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. TAM ($17): It's been a chaotic season for the Stars, and Benn has been swept up in that. He's only put 48 shots on goal in 20 games and has only two power-play points. Now he has to step on the ice with the Lightning, who have a 2.27 GAA and a top-five penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Samuel Girard, COL vs. ANA ($19): I didn't think Girard was a slouch heading into this season, as he had 34 points last year, including 13 on the power play. However, he already has 19 points in 24 games this season, and with Cale Makar out he's the top defenseman for the Avalanche. That means more ice time, and also more power-play time. Over in Anaheim, John Gibson has been on a terrible run where he's posted a 3.98 GAA and .863 save percentage over his last 11 games.
Brett Pesce, CAR at DET ($16): Dougie Hamilton is the offensive dynamo and Jaccob Slavin is the defensive force, but what about Pesce? He's no slouch, as he has 14 points in 27 games, including four on the power play. He's averaged 22:33 per game in ice time, a new personal best, as well. The Red Wings have a 3.34 GAA, so I think you can afford to save a few bucks of salary by going with Pesce instead of Hamilton.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Jakob Chychrun, ARI at MIN ($18): Chychrun has seven power-play points this season – impressive for a defenseman – but only two of those have come in his last 16 games. Really, though, I am recommending avoiding Chychrun, a playerI tend to like, because of the underrated Wild. They have definitely surprised me with their 2.46 GAA (sixth lowest in the NHL) and the fact they've allowed only 28.7 shots on net per contest. Minnesota also has a top-six penalty kill to boot.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. TAM ($17): Klingberg is one of the rare Stars who is having a good season, as he's tallied 17 points. That includes 10 on the power play, however, and the Lightning have a top-five penalty kill. They also have Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has a 1.85 GAA and .934 save percentage.
