Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Bargains and values for Wednesday

by Neil Parker

It is a light night on the ice Wednesday, and the marquee matchup between Pittsburgh and New York is sure to garner the majority of real-world attention.

Vancouver visits the Coyotes on the wrong end of back-to-back road games, and Arizona has been sitting on its fourth consecutive loss since Friday.

The third game features the run-and-gun Senators against the disciplined and system-orientated Red Wings.

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GOALIE

Louis Domingue, ARI vs. VAN ($32) - The Canucks snapped a four-game losing streak Tuesday, but they're still averaging just 2.0 goals per game over their past five outings and 2.38 per road tilt. Domingue has allowed five goals in each of his past three starts, but the lengthy layoff should have him and the Coyotes ready to capitalize Wednesday. Plus, his poor play could keep his ownership low, and his cap hit is on par.

Goalie to Avoid:

Craig Anderson, OTT at DET ($29) - While he has won consecutive games and allowed just a single goal in each victory, Anderson's peaks and valleys this season have been maddening. Plus, Ottawa has allowed 3.52 goals per road game, and the Red Wings' offensive corps is healthy and coming off impressive wins over the Islanders and Panthers. 

CENTER

Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. NYR ($34) - Pinch your pennies elsewhere. It isn't a deep player pool at center, and Crosby has caught fire. He is up to 22 points, including 12 goals, in his past 11 games with 42 shots and a plus-9 rating, and his offensive success dates back to the coaching change in December. New York is missing a few key cogs and allows 2.92 goals per game, too.

Center to Avoid:

Derick Brassard, NYR at PIT ($25) - The home/road splits aren't kind to Brassard, as the pivot has just seven points through 26 road games. At this cap hit, you should aim for more security, and while is he playing well of late, his linemates are cheaper and can provide exposure to Brassard at a discount.

WINGS

Jesper Fast, NYR at PIT ($14) - Clicking with Derick Brassard and J.T. Miller, Fast has six assists in his past seven games with a plus-9 rating. And while Fast has just three shots during the span, the price point opens up the cap space to spend freely at other positions. This isn't a high-floor option, though.

Mikkel Boedker, ARI vs. VAN ($13) - The savings sign is flashing, and while the price makes sense given Boedker's single helper and minus-7 rating over his past four games, he is too talented to pass up at this cap hit. Plus/minus is a real risk, and Boedker has just five points in his past 15 games, but the upside and cap relief are worth targeting. Vancouver has allowed 2.83 goals per road game, too. 

Wing to Avoid:

Phil Kessel, PIT vs. NYR ($24) - Kessel has limped out of the All-Star break with two helpers, 10 shots and a minus-6 rating through four games, including 5.0 fantasy points or fewer in each outing. Add Evgeni Malkin's absence, and there isn't enough ammo to load Kessel up with confidence at his cap hit Wednesday.

DEFENSEMAN

Kris Letang, PIT vs. NYR ($31) - The nine multi-point games in his past 15 outings have added up to 24 points -- eight goals -- and 48 shots on net. The Rangers have struggled away from home, too, posting a 10-13-3 road record and allowing an average of 2.92 goals per game. Many still shy away from spending up for defenseman, and Karlsson likely carries more clout at a similar price point, so Letang could fly under the radar.

Defenseman to Avoid:

Dan Girardi, NYR at PIT ($18) - With the likely task of slowing down scorching-hot Sidney Crosby, Girardi's production and upside don't match the salary, especially with the potential for a minus-rating. Additionally, Girardi has only topped 10.0 fantasy points in just three of his past 12 outings.

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