This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Wednesday's NHL slate begins at 9:00 PM Eastern time with Game 7 between the Avalanche and Sharks, and it also includes Thursday's Game 1 between the Hurricanes and Bruins. Read on to see which players stand out as options to target and which ones are best avoided at their respective prices in this two-game slate.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. CAR ($29): Rask has played well all postseason, and he was especially strong in the last three games against Columbus, allowing just four goals on 115 shots for a .965 save percentage to go with a 3-0 record. The Finnish netminder should keep rolling at home in Game 1 against a Hurricanes team that could be out of rhythm, having last played on May 3.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Petr Mrazek, CAR at BOS ($30): Mrazek suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2 against the Islanders and hasn't seen game ice since. Even if he gets the green light to start this series opener, there's a significant possibility of rust or an injury flare-up hampering Mrazek's effectiveness.
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at SJ ($33): MacKinnon has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games heading into this one, but his six goals and 13 points over the previous eight suggest he has a good chance of ending his short drought when it matters most. You need your superstars to show up for Game 7, and considering MacKinnon has been arguably the best player on any team this postseason, he'll almost certainly make a major impact in this one.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Thornton, SJ vs. COL ($15): The 39-year-old Thornton seems to be running on fumes, having finished with fewer than zero fantasy points in each of his last four games. There are plenty of enticing options to choose from at the center position, but Thornton isn't one.
WINGS
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. CAR ($18): DeBrusk had established a high floor for himself by playing a 200-foot game, posting at least an even rating and 4.5 fantasy points in each of his last eight games. He also has multiple shots in each of those games to go with two goals and two assists in that span, making DeBrusk a solid alternative for owners reluctant to pay $31 for one of Boston's top two wingers.
Warren Foegele, CAR at BOS ($14): Foegele's making a name for himself this postseason, with five goals, nine points and a plus-7 rating through 11 games. Still available at just $14 despite his heroics in the first two rounds, Foegele is a great low-cost option with which to round out lineups.
WINGS TO AVOID
Gabriel Landeskog, COL at SJ ($24): Landeskog was the overtime hero in Game 6, but his goal in that one was preceded by a three-game point drought, and Colorado's captain has just one multi-point performance since April 2. Given their postseason output so far, fellow $24 Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen is the better play.
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR at BOS ($18): Svechnikov scored in Game 4 against the Islanders, but he's skated just 12:13 and 13:35 in two games since returning from a concussion. That limited ice time will make it difficult for the young Russian to live up to his $18 valuation.
DEFENSEMEN
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. COL ($15): Vlasic has laid down a high floor by blocking at least three shots in each of the past four games, and he's also shown off his offensive ability with two goals, an assist and six shots in the last two contests. His ability to contribute on both ends of the ice makes Vlasic a nice option at just $15.
Jaccob Slavin, CAR at BOS ($18): Slavin has been the driving force behind Carolina's offense this postseason with 11 assists in 11 games. That production hasn't come at the cost of his defense, as evidenced by Slavin's plus-8 rating.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Zdeno Chara, BOS vs. CAR ($15): While there's a possibility that Chara sees a slight uptick in ice time with Charlie McAvoy suspended one game for maliciously headhunting Josh Anderson in Game 6 against Columbus, chances are the 42-year-old blueliner won't do much with that ice time. Chara's impact comes primarily on defense and doesn't translate well to the fantasy realm -- he has just three points in his last 17 games.
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at BOS ($20): Hamilton is Carolina's most expensive blueliner, but he's been arguably the least effective of the foursome priced between $16 and $20. The bang for the buck just isn't there compared to the likes of Slavin, Justin Faulk and Brett Pesce.
