This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With just two games on Wednesday's slate, it becomes imperative to dissect each matchup and extract the most valuable players. Here are a few ideas to get you going.
Goalie
Craig Anderson, OTT @ DET ($23)
Anderson is the lowest-priced option of the likely starters Wednesday but there's a lot of reason to like him for the value here. The Illinois native has not fared well against most teams in the league this season, but against the Red Wings he has actually been quite effective, allowing just one goal in each of the two games that he's faced them. Take the low price here while you can.
Goalie to Avoid
Jeff Glass, CHI @ NYR ($26)
Until the Blackhawks defense starts to play at a higher level, it's difficult to recommend Glass in daily play. The Alberta native holds a decent .917 save percentage through his first two NHL starts, but it's actually remarkable in the sense that the Chicago defense has allowed an astounding 84 shots on goal over that span. The 32-year-old's lack of experience at the highest level combined with the Blackhawks' ineptitude makes this a risky play Wednesday.
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Center
Derick Brassard, OTT @ DET ($14)
With a very limited selection of centers Wednesday, Brassard provides a nice value option that has a serious chance to pay dividends. The veteran pivot is riding a point-per-game pace over the last six contests and holds secure positions centering both the first offensive line and the first power-play unit. He could bust out against a Red Wings team that is prone to allowing scoring barrages and averages 3.11 goals allowed per game.
Center to Avoid
Vinni Lettieri, NYR vs. CHI ($18)
Lettieri is tied as the second-highest priced center Wednesday after scoring in his NHL debut Friday, but there's no reason you should be spending that kind of virtual money on someone that is such a mystery. In fact, the Minnesota native logged just 10:43 of ice time in his first game and was a healthy scratch the game after, so it's not even guaranteed that he'll suit up. Don't take that risk.
Wing
J.T. Miller, NYR vs. CHI ($17)
While he's never been the flashiest player on the ice, Miller has been a solid contributor for the Blueshirts all season and has established himself as a core member of the team's power-play unit, where he has recorded six of his 27 points. The Ohio native is also feeling his shot lately, having found twine four times on 18 shots on goal to go with a solid plus-3 rating over the last eight games.
Anthony Mantha, DET vs. OTT ($15)
Mantha is expected to return to action Wednesday after dealing with an undisclosed injury, but assuming he does suit up, he's a good bet to get on the scoresheet. The 23-year-old is the team's leader in goals (13) and has managed five of them with the man advantage, an excellent stat to hear when going against the team that ranks 29th in the league with a 76.9 penalty killing percentage.
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Wings to Avoid
Mats Zuccarello, NYR vs. CHI ($19)
Zuccarello has not lit the lamp in six consecutive games but what has really been getting him into trouble is his inability to play in his own end of the ice, as the winger sports a minus-3 rating over the span of his last five games. That could be problematic if the Norwegian can't find the scoresheet Wednesday because the Blackhawks, even with their recent struggles, still harness potential for an offensive outburst.
Brandon Saad, CHI @ NYR ($17)
Prior to putting a goal and an assist on the board Sunday in Calgary, Saad had not produced a point in six straight games, taking just 11 shots on goal over that span. Additionally, the 25-year-old has been one of the main factors in Chicago's power-play struggles, as he has just a single point with the man advantage this season. Against a good penalty killing team like the Rangers, that's unlikely to get better.
Defense
Jordan Oesterle, CHI @ NYR ($18)
After struggling to find traction with the Chicago defensive corps at the beginning of the season, Oesterle has seemingly found his place with the team and is now averaging 21:47 of ice time since Dec. 10. You love to see the Michigan native take 13 shots on goal in the last three games, but it's also nice that he is blocking shots at a high rate, including deflecting seven against Edmonton on Friday.
Mike Green, DET vs. OTT ($17)
Another option to help you navigate Ottawa's poor penalty killing, Green has accumulated half of his 22 points this season when the Red Wings are up a man. Additionally, the veteran blueliner's defensive prowess has been on point lately, as he shows 10 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating in his last five games, so the price you pay Wednesday is likely at least for a nice floor.
Defensemen to Avoid
Erik Karlsson, OTT @ DET ($29)
With a price tag $9 pricier than the next best option, Karlsson will have to provide a heck of a lot of production to make the hit to your budget worth it. The reality though is that the superstar Swede has just two goals, 12 points, and an atrocious minus-19 rating in his last 23 games, as he and the team around him just can't seem to figure it out.
Duncan Keith, CHI @ NYR ($19)
Keith has yet to crack the goal column of the scoresheet yet this season and that would be ok if his defensive production wasn't also at relatively poor levels. The 34-year-old is currently sporting a minus-6 rating -- the second worst mark of his career -- and has blocked two shots or fewer in each of the last 12 games. At this price point, you can't count on him to provide you enough production to be worth it.
