This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We had to sit through a light Monday of NHL action, but now Tuesday picks up the pace. There are nine games on the docket, none of which involve teams on a back-to-back. That's a lot of options on the table. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, from those matchups.
GOALIE
Ben Bishop, DAL vs. MIN ($32): Due to Dallas' struggles to start the season, Bishop's early play is flying under the radar. He had Vezina-caliber numbers last year, and this season he has a 2.35 GAA and .920 save percentage. Minnesota's offense has struggled almost as much as Dallas'. The Wild have scored 2.36 goals per contest.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Matt Murray, PIT vs. PHI ($31): Murray has a 2.33 GAA and .918 save percentage himself, though he did just boost his numbers with a shutout of the Stars. This will be a decidedly tougher matchup for him. The Flyers have scored 3.50 goals per game, and on top of that they've put 35.4 shots on net per contest, second most in the NHL.
CENTER
Brayden Point, TAM at NYR ($29): Point has picked up where he left last year off after returning from an injury that cost him the first three games. The 23-year-old has three goals and three assists through seven games. Meanwhile, the Rangers have one of the most porous defenses in the NHL. They have a 3.78 GAA and have given up a whopping 36.9 shots on net per contest.
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SAN at BOS ($23): Couture has been racking up assists left and right, but he only has one goal in 12 games. It may be hard for him to notch any points at all in this contest. The Bruins have a 2.09 GAA, and their .934 save percentage is the tops in the league.
WING
Pavel Buchnevich, NYR vs. TAM ($17): Buchnevich has notched at least one point in each of his last three games. He's also started a higher percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone than anybody else on the Rangers. In the past, the Lightning would not be considered a good matchup, but they have been a little iffy defensively to start the season. Tampa has given up 34.5 shots on net per contest.
Troy Terry, ANA vs. WPG ($10): Terry has only seen limited action in the NHL at this point, but one thing that's encouraging is that right now he's on the top power-play unit for the Ducks. That's perfect for this matchup, as the Jets have the worst penalty kill in the league to start the campaign.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrik Laine, WPG at ANA ($25): Laine is normally known for his goal scoring, but this year he only has three goals in 12 games. He's shooting at an 8.6 percent clip, lowest of his career. Being on the road against the Ducks is also a difficult spot for the Finn. Anaheim has a 2.38 GAA, top five in the NHL.
Mats Zuccarello, MIN at DAL ($15): It's been a very slow start to the season for Zuccarello. Even though he missed time with injury, the fact that he only has one point, an assist, through seven games is concerning. Facing a Dallas team led by Bishop and his 2.35 GAA isn't likely to help him get in form.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at DET ($21): Klefbom is staying active in the offense. He's got nine points in 12 games, and he's put 30 shots on net. Four of his points have come with the extra man on Edmonton's excellent top power-play unit. Meanwhile, the Red Wings have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Kevin Shattenkirk, TAM at NYR ($18): Shattenkirk isn't getting as much power-play time with the Lightning, but he's started 55.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. That's tops among Tampa Bay defensemen, and it's helped him notch seven points in 10 games. His former team has a 3.78 GAA, so Shattenkirk might get some revenge against the Rangers.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Kris Letang, PIT vs. PHI ($25): Letang is always one of the priciest blueliners on a slate, and with good reason. However, he has been held without a point in four games. The Flyers have been excellent at shot suppression this year, as they've only allowed 27.4 shots on net per contest, fewest in the NHL. Philadelphia also has a top-10 penalty kill.
Erik Karlsson, SAN at BOS ($24): Karlsson is off to a good start to the year, but he isn't shooting the puck as much as he has in the past. The Swede has 22 shots in 11 games. Even if you get shots on net against the Bruins, though, they rarely go in. Boston has a 2.09 GAA, after all.
