This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a busy eight-game slate in the main contests at Yahoo! with Saturday's action beginning at 7 p.m. EST. The largest favorites are the Golden Knights, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs, and Toronto faces Ottawa again after losing 5-3 to the Senators on Friday. Every other team last played Thursday. As always it will be important to check the RotoWire news feed to keep tabs on all the latest happenings.
GOALIE
Jack Campbell, TOR at OTT ($26): Two games in, and the Maple Leafs have surrendered nine goals and 27 high-danger scoring chances. Enter a discounted Campbell to turn the tide. The veteran backup posted a respectable .915 save percentage through six starts with Toronto last year and carries a .916 mark for his career. The Maple Leafs also remain a heavy favorite (-190) despite losing 5-3 to Ottawa on Friday.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Petr Mrazek, CAR at DET ($34): The Hurricanes are hefty favorites and caved in the Red Wings on Thursday with 73 shot attempts to Detroit's 34. While it's safe to expect another dominant showing from Carolina on Saturday, Mrazek might need to be perfect again to justify this salary if he doesn't face enough shots. Saves translate to fantasy points quickly in the daily game, and the more the better.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR at OTT ($35): The Rocket Richard hopeful has registered 10 shots and 19 attempts through two games without finding the back of the net. Look for the levee to break Saturday. Matthews had 10 multi-goal showings last season, and his 1.92 goals per 60 minutes ranked fourth in the league. While Ottawa showed defensive improvement Friday, the Senators still allowed 10 high-danger scoring chances, so No. 34 will have his opportunities.
CENTER TO AVOID
Nick Suzuki, MON at EDM ($18): The sophomore is on an upward fantasy trajectory, and while he held his own in Wednesday's matchup against Toronto, can Suzuki tread water again matching up against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for most of the night? It's probably best to view the 21-year-old center as a contrarian option only.
WING
Alexis Lafreniere, NYR vs. NYI ($20): The rookie skated with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin in practice Friday, which skyrockets Lafreniere's upside. Strome and Panarin clicked for 5.51 goals per 60 minutes last season, and the No. 1 selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft owns oodles of his own offensive acumen and skill. Just note, the Islanders shut out the Rangers on Thursday and allowed the ninth-fewest goals per game last season.
Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. ANH ($11): The 26-year-old forward has started the season centering Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone, and the trio generated five high-danger scoring chances and scored twice during Thursday's win over the Ducks. At near minimum salary, Stephenson jumps off the page with Vegas one of the largest favorites of the night.
WINGS TO AVOID
Filip Forsberg, NSH vs. CLS ($22): The 26-year-old Swede scored Thursday to begin his quest for a seventh consecutive 20-goal campaign. He also logged a healthy 18:25 of ice time with 3:37 on the man advantage. The concern lies in the likelihood that this game is relatively low scoring. There were only four total goals in Thursday's matchup, and Columbus allowed the fourth-fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league last season.
Brady Tkachuk, OTT vs. TOR ($19): This is a manageable salary for the young star, but after collecting three points and five shots against Toronto on Friday, it's probably asking a lot for him to post another big showing Saturday. Tkachuk is likely best viewed more as a salary cap fit or contrarian flier with the Maple Leafs a noted large favorite. After all, how often are the odds egregiously wrong on consecutive days with the same two teams?
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN at CGY ($20): Dating back to last season, Hughes' 2.19 points per 60 minutes rank sixth among all regular defensemen, so he's quickly established himself as a premier point producer. He continues to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit and has attempted 15 shots through two games. For what it's worth, Calgary allowed four goals Thursday, including a power-play tally.
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. MON ($14): There's a plus-minus risk attached to Barrie, but as long as he's quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and in this salary range, he's a strong option with tremendous upside. Additionally, the high-volume shooter also provides a respectable floor because he's a willing shot-blocker. Until proven otherwise, the Canadiens' middle-of-the-pack defense (3.06 goals against per 60 minutes last season) shouldn't discourage rostering their opponents.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Shea Weber, MON at EDM ($19): There won't be any soft assignments for Weber on Saturday with most of his minutes likely coming against McDavid or Draisaitl -- and often both. The veteran defenseman brings everything you're looking for to the table, but in a deep player pool, there are definitely safer options.
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR vs. NYI ($17): The 25-year-old defenseman skated with the taxi squad in practice Friday after taking an undisciplined unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third period of Thursday's loss. It's not an inspiring turn of events for the gifted offensive defenseman, and even if the demotion was just a one-off and DeAngelo suits up Saturday per usual, it's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach.
