This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Saturday's all-day NHL slate is a massive one, with 14 games on the docket after 1:00 PM Eastern time. There are plenty of directions in which owners can take their lineups given the enormous selection, but certain players stand out from the pack as the best value plays while others are best avoided at their respective prices. Read on to see who falls into which category.
GOALIE
Carter Hart, PHI vs. NYI ($29): Hart has been spectacular over his last three games, stopping 114 of 118 shots for a .966 save percentage. The Islanders, meanwhile, have gone seven consecutive games without scoring more than two goals in regulation and are coming off consecutive shutout losses. Look for both recent trends to continue as the Flyers continue their frantic push for a long-shot playoff berth.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. TB ($37): While Binnington's had a spectacular rookie campaign, it's not smart to pay up for him in this difficult matchup. The Lightning are in the midst of a historically good season, which includes a plus-100 goal differential fueled by the league best offense (3.89 goals per game).
CENTER
William Karlsson, VGK vs. DET ($17): Karlsson hasn't been able to replicate last season's magical 43-goal, 78-point campaign, that is until recently. Someone seems to have sprinkled some of the leftover pixie dust from Vegas' inaugural season onto the team's top center, as Karlsson has multiple points in each of his past three games, with three goals, four assists and a plus-7 rating in all. A Red Wings team that's won just three of its last 16 games is unlikely to slow Karlsson down.
CENTER TO AVOID
Derek Ryan, CGY at VAN ($18): While Ryan's been hot with seven points in his past five games, the fourth-line center has grown overpriced at $18 considering he's averaging just 3.8 fantasy points per game this season. There's little reason to look his way given the plethora of excellent alternatives among the Flames' forward ranks.
WINGS
Michael Frolik, CGY at VAN ($17): Frolik has been terrific of late, posting 10 points and a plus-8 rating over his past six games. Available for just $17, Frolik has a nice opportunity to outperform his modest valuation against a Canucks team that brings a minus-23 goal differential into this contest. He's a strong option for owners without the funds for some of the more expensive Flames forwards.
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. OTT ($30): The sky's the limit for Draisaitl in this home meeting with a Senators team that's allowing a league-high 3.70 goals per game. He's not too far behind Connor McDavid, with 94 points and an average of 10.0 fantasy points to McDavid's 107 and 11.4, but Draisaitl can be had for $4 cheaper. Whether you stack Edmonton's two stars or use Draisaitl on his own, you can't go wrong with him here.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brendan Perlini, CHI at COL ($17): Perlini is another guy who's overpriced relative to his production, as he's averaging a mere 3.1 fantasy points per game. Living up to his $17 valuation will be tough against an Avalanche team that's heated up at the right time, outscoring opponents 9-2 in winning its past three games.
Jeff Skinner, BUF at MON ($22): Skinner has been slumping for a while, with just one goal, five assists and a minus-11 rating in his last 16 games. Don't expect him to get back on track against a Canadiens team that features Carey Price (2.50 GAA, .917 save percentage) in net.
DEFENSEMEN
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at NJ ($16): Ekman-Larsson is one of the league's most reliable sources of offense from the blue line, as he's in the midst of a sixth consecutive campaign with at least 39 points. While he's priced well below the top tier at his position, OEL could well outperform many of the guys priced above him in this favorable matchup. Don't be surprised to see a Coyotes club that's battling for a playoff spot run up the score on a hapless Devils team that's won just twice in its last 12 games, losing six games by at least three goals in this stretch.
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. CHI ($20): Barrie has four goals in his last three games and brings a four-game point streak into this one, as he's heated up just in time for Colorado's late playoff push. He's generating offense at an immense rate with at least four shots in seven of his last eight games, and Barrie can also get it done on the other end -- he's coming off an eight-block performance. The talented blueliner has a great opportunity to add to his season totals in both points (52) and power-play points (23) against a Blackhawks team that's giving up 3.63 goals per game (second-most) and killing penalties at just a 73.3 percent rate (worst in the league).
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
P.K. Subban, NSH at WPG ($19): Subban has underperformed dramatically this season, and things have only gotten worse of late. He's mired in a six-game point drought and has just one multi-point performance in his last 32 appearances.
Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR at TOR ($18): Shattenkirk's been overpriced all season, staying at $18 despite averaging a paltry 4.8 fantasy points per game. Another underwhelming outing can be expected when his Rangers visit a Toronto team that outscores opponents 3.68 to 2.95 on average in its own building.
