Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Bargains and values for Wednesday and Thursday

By Neil Parker

Wednesday's DFS contests are comprised of three games across two days. All three playoff games will be the fourth of their respective series, and each series is tied 2-1.

Kris Letang's one-game suspension will have a significant impact in the Pittsburgh-Washington bout, and after the dominance of the Capitals in losing fashion in Game 3, expect a deadlocked series after the outing Wednesday.

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The Nashville-San Jose and Dallas-St. Louis games should be closely contested, and bounce-back showings from the Sharks and Stars after their losses Tuesday is well within reach.

It is important to note, Yahoo daily contests have a late-swap feature, so you can edit your lineups until each individual player's game begins. And with that, here is your DFS stock report.

GOALIE

Braden Holtby, WAS at PIT ($37) - Washington controlled Pittsburgh in Game 3 with 49 more shot attempts, but a few tough breaks left the Capitals down 2-1 in the series. Holtby posted a .957 save percentage and a 1.24 goals-against average through his eight playoffs games leading into the tough-luck showing in Game 3, too. Expect a bounce-back game from Washington and a tidy outing from Holtby on Wednesday.

Player to Avoid:

Kari Lehtonen, DAL at STL ($29) - After the Stars allowed six goals in Game 3, and starter Antti Niemi was pulled early in the second period, expect Lehtonen to start Game 4. Dallas has allowed at least four goals in four of its last five games, and Lehtonen owns a .872 save percentage and a 3.81 goals-against average through his latest five outings.

CENTER

Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at PIT ($15) - It has been a postseason to forget for Kuznetsov, as the pivot has just a goal and an assist through seven games after posting 77 points through 82 games during the regular season. Kuznetsov registered six shots on net in Game 3, though, and his cap hit is ripe for a nice profit.

Player to Avoid:

Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. WAS ($30) - This is a hefty cap hit for a player with a single assist and four shots through his last two games. Washington doesn't allow many opportunities and have allowed two goals or fewer in five of eight playoff games and never more than three. Malkin is also separated from the best wingers on the team at even strength. The star is obviously capable of a monster game, but spending up for and expecting it is ill advised.

WING

Jamie Benn, DAL at STL ($33) - The Blues have held Benn in check in two of three games in the series, but he also returned a multi-point showing in Game 2. Budget elsewhere to fit the superstar into your lineups and count on a solid showing Thursday. Benn does have five goals and seven assists through nine playoff games with an average of 21:20 ice time per night.

Justin Williams, WAS at PIT ($12) - At minimum price, Williams requires a long look Wednesday. He receives second-line and power-play minutes and scored last time out. He is also a proven playoff performer with 81 points -- 31 goals -- through 124 career postseason games, and he checks out as an incredibly affordable stack option alongside linemate Evgeny Kuznetsov, too.

Player to Avoid:

T.J. Oshie, WAS at PIT ($24) - A boom-or-bust winger, Oshie scored a hat trick in Game 1, but he has missed the scoresheet in the two games before and two games since the outburst. In fact, during the regular season, his 51 points came in just 35 games, as he failed to register a point in 45 outings. At the cap hit, it is likely best to target a more reliable contributor. There is huge upside for Oshie, though.

DEFENSE

Shea Weber, NSH vs. SJ ($21) - After stinging as a fade recommendation Tuesday, Weber's salary dropped following his 13.0 Yahoo fantasy point showing in Game 3. At this price, he is a significantly better option because of the floor his shot volume provides. There are still risks, but they're mitigated by the cushier cost of admission.

Trevor Daley, PIT vs. WAS ($16) - A risk-reward gamble, Daley will see an elevated role and more offensive minutes with Kris Letang suspended for Game 4. However, Washington projects favorably in Game 4, which makes Daley a plus/minus risk. At the affordable salary, though, Daley's upside is attractive.

Player to Avoid:

Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. Dal ($26) - Matching up against the opponent's top players nightly is a tough task, and while most nights Pietrangelo answers, it does limit his fantasy upside. Through three games against Dallas, Pietrangelo has underwhelmed with an assist, a minus-1 rating, six shots and nine blocked shots. He doesn't see top-unit time with the man advantage, either.  

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