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Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Saturday's bargains and values

Connor McDavid and Cam Talbot continue their remarkable seasons for Edmonton, the playoff herd thins out and more in Sunday's Hockey Dose

By Sasha Yodashkin

Saturday's eight-game NHL slate shouldn't be lacking in fantasy production, with the NHL's two highest-scoring teams facing off on the same night that the two worst defensive units play each other. While the Capitals-Stars and Senators-Blue Jackets games figure to feature plenty of valuable performances, it's important not to overlook the rest of the league in the quest for value. All of the players listed below are in position to outperform their prices and lead their owners to victory.

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GOALIE

Carter Hutton, NSH at FLA ($29) -
 Hutton isn't called upon often, but he has been very effective when asked to step in this season. The Predators backup has posted an impressive 5-2-1 record in eight appearances and has held his last two opponents to one combined goal while winning both of his last two starts. Assuming he get the nod on the second night of a back-to-back for Nashville, Hutton makes for a top-notch No. 2 option at just $29.

Goalie to avoid:

Eddie Lack, CAR vs. NYI ($37) -
 Lack has allowed at leasts four goals in three of his last six starts, and life doesn't get any easier for him against the NHL's sixth-most productive offense. His chances of living up to his price as the night's third-most expensive goaltender are slim, with many cheaper options with brighter outlooks available.

CENTER

Connor McDavid, EDM vs. WPG ($23) -
 McDavid has four goals and eight assists in six games since returning from a shoulder injury after his five-point night against the Maple Leafs on Thursday. The rookie is as hot as any player in the league, making him a massive bargain at just $23. Don't expect Winnipeg's 25th-ranked defense to have much luck containing the 2015 first overall pick now that he's getting comfortable at the NHL level. 

Center to Avoid:

Mark Scheifele, WPG at EDM ($21) -
 Scheifele hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 15, as a combination of injuries and offensive ineptitude has kept him off the board for two months. While his six assists in 12 games since that point are respectable, nothing about his scoring rate or plus-1 rating in that span indicates that Scheifele is worth $21. 

WINGS

Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. NYI ($21) -
 Skinner is red hot right now, with 21 shots on goal and a plus-4 rating to go along with two goals and four assists over his current five-game point streak. While New York's 10th-ranked defense is nothing to sneeze at, Skinner's two-point game against a superior Blackhawks squad the last time he faced a top-10 unit shows that he's capable of delivering against any opponent in his current state. Keep riding the speedy winger until he shows signs of slowing down.

Scott Hartnell, CLS vs. OTT ($19) - Hartnell's solid all-around resume makes him an enticing option in what figures to be a high-scoring battle between the two worst defensive teams in the NHL. The rugged winger has a symmetrical 18 goals and 18 assists this season, and his minus-2 rating is respectable considering he plays for one of the NHL's bottom-feeders. Priced below teammates Cam Atkinson ($24) and Nick Foligno ($20) at his position, Hartnell offers the best bang for the buck out of the group. 

Wings to Avoid:

Daniel Sedin, VAN vs. TOR ($23) -
 Sedin has hit an offensive rut of late, failing to get on the scoresheet while scoring just 6.0 total fantasy points per game over his last four. Toronto's top defensemen will be eager to prove themselves after getting burned for five points by Edmonton's Connor McDavid on Thursday, and Sedin's recent struggles coupled with their effort could be enough to limit him once again.

Justin Williams, WAS at DAL ($20) - Williams has topped 5.0 fantasy points just once in his last seven games, as he has become a forgotten man among Washington's bevy of offensive weapons. His odds of changing that trend on the road against a Dallas team looking to take over the Central Division lead are pretty low. 

DEFENSEMEN

Erik Karlsson, OTT at CLS ($34) -
 Karlsson's $34 price may seem excessive until you take a closer look at his recent production. The Swedish defenseman is pacing all skaters by averaging 14.1 fantasy points per game over his last 10, as he continues to contribute in all facets. Not only is Karlsson tied for second in the league in points, but his 161 shots on goal place him in the top 30, while his 111 blocked shots give him an element lacked by the forwards who offer comparable offensive production. There's no safer DFS bet night-in and night-out than Karlsson at the moment, and his matchup with the Blue Jackets makes him a no-brainer. 

Duncan Keith, CHI vs. ANH ($20) - Keith is heating up again, with 13.0 and 15.0 fantasy point performances among his last three games. His 11 shots on goal and nine blocks in that span have allowed the blueliner to accrue significant points without having to get on the scoresheet multiple times, but he's more than capable of doing so as illustrated by the goal and assist Keith recorded against the Ducks in their first meeting. 

Defensemen to Avoid:

Tyler Myers, WPG at EDM ($17) -
 Myers' strength is supposed to be his offensive aptitude, but you would never know that from his lone point over the last 13 games. His unremarkable blocked shot total makes Myers essentially useless if he isn't getting on the scoreboard. 

Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. NSH ($18) - Ekblad has broken double-digit fantasy points just once in his last 10 games. His 36 blocked shots put him on par with some high-scoring forwards, and you wouldn't spend $18 on a forward who has just one goal and four assists over his last 13 appearances.

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