This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday's NHL slate features no shortage of action, with nine games on tap after 7:00 PM Eastern time. With the playoff races in both conferences heating up as we approach the season's three-quarter mark, read on to see which players are primed to provide the best value to both their teams and fantasy owners here, and which players are best avoided at their respective prices.
GOALIE
James Reimer, FLA vs. BUF ($29): Reimer has taken his game up a notch recently, winning four of his past six outings while allowing just 14 goals over that span. He gets a nice opportunity to keep rolling in this home matchup with a Sabres team that's 5-9-1 in its past 15 games. At just $29, he makes a lot of sense in your No. 2 goalie spot.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carter Hart, PHI vs. TB ($31): Hart should get this start with Cam Talbot having issues getting his work visa, but just because he's playing doesn't mean he should be in your lineup. While the rookie goalie has worked himself into Calder Trophy contention with tremendous recent play, he's not a sensible pick against the Lightning's league-best offense (3.86 goals per game).
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. NJ ($27): Malkin has come alive recently, recording points in 13 of his past 14 appearances. That production includes two-goal performances in each of his last two games, bringing his totals over that stretch to six goals and 15 assists. A Devils team that's getting outscored 3.41 to 2.92 on average is unlikely to slow Malkin down.
CENTER TO AVOID
Eric Staal, MIN vs. ANH ($19): Facing Anaheim has helped many slumping players break out, but the Ducks have finally shown signs of life with two wins in their past three games after losing seven in a row. Even if you want to target the Ducks, there are better values to be found among the Wild's ranks than Staal, who has no points and a minus-4 rating to show for his past eight games.
WINGS
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. ARI ($26): Draisaitl has been on fire over the past 10 games, contributing 11 goals and 13 points. With fellow star Connor McDavid setting him up on both the first line and top power-play unit, Draisaitl should stay hot at home against a Coyotes club that's been outscored 9-4 over its past three games.
Jimmy Vesey, NYR at CAR ($11): Owners looking to save up for some of this slate's most expensive options should look Vesey's way at just $1 above the minimum price. He's been moved into a top-six role recently, earning that promotion with two goals in the past four games and skating 17:00 or more in four of the past five. The Harvard product has also found success in the season series with two goals and an assist in three games against the Hurricanes.
WINGS TO AVOID
William Nylander, TOR at STL ($17): Nylander's struggled all season relative to his valuation -- his average of 3.9 fantasy points per game is the lowest among healthy wingers that cost $16 or more. Improving that average will be difficult against a streaking Blues club that's won 10 straight games, shutting out its last three opponents.
Ondrej Palat, TB at PHI ($18): Palat has seen his ice time cut to 13:15 or less twice in the last three games, and he hasn't earned any more with no goals in his past 11 appearances. With no shortage of skilled alternatives to choose from on the Lightning, Palat doesn't make much sense to deploy against a Flyers team that's gone 12-1-1 over its last 14 contests.
DEFENSEMEN
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. BUF ($19): Yandle's home/road splits suggest he should only be deployed at BB&T Center, so this is a good time to plug him in, as the Panthers will play host to a slumping Sabres team. The veteran defenseman has churned out 28 points (five goals) and a minus-1 rating in 29 home contests compared to 17 points (three goals) and a minus-18 mark in 28 road matches. With last change putting him in position to maximize his offensive skills while minimizing his defensive deficiencies, Yandle should continue to deliver strong results in his own building.
Ryan Suter, MIN vs. ANH ($21): No team relies more on its blue line for scoring than the Wild, but that's far from all Suter's good for. The well-rounded blueliner ranks seven seconds behind Drew Doughty's league-leading ice time average at 26:46, and Suter uses that time to fill up the stat sheet. Over the past 11 games, he's registered a goal, nine assists, a plus-7 rating, four power-play points, 26 shots and 13 blocks. Suter should produce another strong all-around outing against an Anaheim team with a league-worst minus-54 goal differential.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Jamie Oleksiak, DAL vs. NSH ($18): Oleksiak's point drought sits at 20 games and counting. You can find significantly greater offensive upside in this price range, especially with Dallas taking on the league's fourth-stingiest defensive team in the Predators (2.61 goals allowed per game).
Seth Jones, CLS at MON ($21): Jones last lit the lamp Jan. 5. While he's managed to rack up 11 assists in 17 subsequent games, Jones also has a minus-6 rating over that span. You should expect more out of a $21 player, but you're unlikely to get more out of Jones on this second night of a back-to-back against a rested Canadiens team that's 17-10-4 in its own barn.
