This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday's NHL slate is a sizable one, with 10 games on tap after 7:00 PM Eastern time. Read on to see which players stand out from the pack as options to target in this slate and which ones are best avoided at their respective valuations.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS at NJ ($31): Holtby shut out the Devils when these teams last met March 8, and New Jersey's injury-riddled lineup hasn't gotten significantly healthier. The Devils are 2-7-1 with a trio of shutout losses over their past 10 games, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Holtby shut the door again in this rematch. He also costs just $31 despite winning six of his last eight starts.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Frederik Andersen, TOR at NSH ($37): Andersen's overpriced at $37 considering he's allowed 14 goals over his past three starts. It's best to wait for him to get back into form or for his price to drop, as living up to his $37 valuation will be tough against a Nashville team that's 22-13-1 in its own building.
CENTER
Joel L'Esperance, DAL vs. FLA ($10): If you're looking to save up for some premium options at other positions, L'Esperance is a nice speculative upside pick at the minimum price. He skates alongside Jamie Benn on the second line and centers the second power-play unit, and the rookie's seen his playing time climb in each of his last four games. If he's able to start turning his growing role into production, L'Esperance could turn into a steal against a Panthers team that's allowing 3.69 goals per game on the road -- fifth-most in the league.
CENTER TO AVOID
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at NYI ($33): Scoring is expected to be minimal in this battle between two of the league's three stingiest defensive teams. Considering just 19 of Bergeron's 67 points have come on the road, he's unlikely to make much of a dent in New York's league-best defensive numbers (2.33 goals allowed per game).
WINGS
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. CLS ($23): Tkachuk is a nice against the grain play for owners chasing upside. The Blue Jackets have been inconsistent of late, while Tkachuk has games of 30.7 and 38.5 fantasy points among his last four. Few players in this price range can match the young power forward when he's on.
Ryan Donato, MIN vs. COL ($17): Donato continues to produce in a Wild jersey. He's playing at a point-per-game pace with his new team after coming over from Boston in a trade, with four goals and nine assists in 13 contests. Still available for $17 despite his recent success, Donato's a strong choice against an Avalanche club that's dropped each of its last three road games in regulation.
WINGS TO AVOID
Mike Hoffman, FLA at DAL ($19): Few players are as reliant on the power play as Hoffman, who has recorded 33 of his 64 points this season with the extra man. Dallas' fifth-ranked, 82.6 percent penalty kill is likely to limit that strength, while a Stars team that's 21-12-3 at home is likely to add to Hoffman's rating woes -- he currently sits at minus-20.
Elias Lindholm, CGY vs. CLS ($25): Lindholm's having a terrific season for the Flames, but he's gone cold of late. If you exclude his four-point night in a 9-4 win over the lowly Devils, Lindholm has just one assist over the rest of his last nine games. A Columbus team that's trying to sneak into the playoffs should be a much tougher match than the Devils, so it's tough to trust Lindholm here at $25.
DEFENSEMEN
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. EDM ($21): Pietrangelo ranks third on the Blues with 11 power-play points despite starting the season off the top unit and recording only one power-play point in his first 21 appearances. He's racked up 10 power-play points in 40 subsequent appearances, and Pietrangelo's primed to continue his success with the extra man against a 75.6 Oilers penalty kill that's the second-most generous in the league.
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR vs. DET ($16): Whether it's through springing teammates on breakaways with precise stretch passes or running the point on the top power-play unit, DeAngelo has managed to dish out 15 helpers in his past 20 appearances. The offensively gifted blueliner gets a nice opportunity to get himself on the scoresheet against a flailing Red Wings club that's won just twice in its past 14 games.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Keith Yandle, FLA at DAL ($18): Yandle has the same issues as Hoffman here. The blueliner has relied on the power play for 36 of his 56 points, and his minus-15 season rating falls to minus-19 on the road. This road matchup with a Dallas team that excels defensively is unlikely to bear much fruit.
Damon Severson, NJ at WAS ($16): Severson's respectable offensive ability is overshadowed by his dreadful rating -- he has 37 points to go with a minus-20 mark. With his team generating so little offense, Severson's poor defense is much more likely to come into play than his skills on the other end.
