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Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Tuesday picks

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his shorthanded goal at 13:40 of the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 20, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 20: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his shorthanded goal at 13:40 of the third period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 20, 2016 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

By Neil Parker

There are nine games in the NHL on Tuesday, so it should be easy to differentiate your selections for tournaments. At Yahoo, it’s also always worth scrolling all the way through the player pool because some solid players can jump out at, or near, minimum price. With that said, here are some targets, fades and values to consider when assembling your lineups.

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GOALIE

Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. BUF ($36): While he has had some poor showings of late, Andersen still boasts a solid .929 save percentage and 16 wins through his past 27 games. The Sabres also bring an underwhelming offense and enter on the wrong end of a back-to-back set. Buffalo owns a fifth-worst 2.27 goals and generate the seventh fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Pekka Rinne, NAS at VAN ($29): With a recent win against Vancouver and a modest salary, Rinne runs the risk of being a chalky netminder Tuesday. He’s also playing well of late with a 3-1-1 record, .944 save percentage and 1.75 GAA. This might be a tough game, though. Nashville is missing Roman Josi (undisclosed) and P.K. Subban (back), and Vancouver is 15-6-3 at Rogers Arena.

CENTER

Ryan Johansen, NAS at VAN ($17): With just a single assist through his past five games, Johansen’s salary is down, presenting extra wiggle room to return a profit. The 24-year-old center is from Vancouver, and a slump-busting outing in his hometown has a nice ring to it. Additionally, he’s the clear-cut No. 1 offensive center for Nashville and averaged 20:34 of ice time with 3:39 on the power play during his current five-game slide.

CENTER TO AVOID

Radek Faksa, DAL at NYR ($18): With three goals and 10 points through his past 13 games, Faksa is beginning to demand more attention in all fantasy settings. However, the Stars are also healthier than they’ve been in months, and that drops him down in the pecking order. This is also the second road game in consecutive nights for Dallas, and the Rangers are a difficult opponent.

WING

Rick Nash, NYR vs. DAL ($20): Dallas allows the third most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.88) in the league, and enters Tuesday’s game on the wrong end of back-to-back road games. Nash collected a goal Saturday and is now two outings removed from an eight-game absence due to a groin injury. Plus, he boasts a 10th-ranked 1.63 goals and 12th-ranked 10.81 shots per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 500 minutes this season.

Craig Smith, NAS at VAN ($12): At minimum price, Smith jumps out as a potential steal given his projected role alongside Johansen and Filip Forsberg atop the Nashville depth chart. While it’s been an incredibly disappointing campaign thus far for Smith (seven goals and 14 points through 42 games), he entered the year with three consecutive 20-goal seasons and provides a source of cap relief with some upside.

WINGERS TO AVOID

Taylor Hall, NJD at MIN ($25): The Wild have allowed the second fewest goals (2.12) and scoring chances (25.03) per 60 minutes, and New Jersey is playing its fourth away game in six nights. Hall has found the scoresheet in each of the first three outings on that road trip, but he hasn’t posted a multi-point game and carries a plus-minus risk against the high-powered Wild.

Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at VAN ($20): The high-volume shooter buoys his fantasy value with a seventh-ranked 11.62 shots per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 500 minutes. However, he’s also missed the scoresheet in nine of his past 12 outings, and is expected to skate on the third line Tuesday. This salary is too high for Arvidsson’s recent form.

DEFENSE

Mathew Dumba, MIN vs. NJD ($15): Projected to roll with the No. 1 power-play unit, Dumba has been thriving offensively of late (two goals, five points and six shots through his past four games) and checks in as an excellent value Tuesday. As noted, the Devils are in a susceptible spot, and Minnesota has scored 15 goals over its past three games.

Nikita Zadorov, COL vs. CHI ($12): A low-priced flier, Zadorov is expected to quarterback one of the power-play units, so at minimum price, he’s definitely on the daily fantasy radar. After all, the Blackhawks have allowed the third most goals per 60 minutes (8.96) while shorthanded. Still, Zadorov shouldn’t be confused with a risk-free, slam-dunk recommendation.

DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Erik Karlsson, OTT at STL ($29): St. Louis has allowed just 2.45 goals per home game and the ninth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (9.36). As the highest-priced defenseman on the slate, you’re likely better off allocating your cap space elsewhere. Additionally, the Blues have allowed the third fewest goals per 60 minutes (4.27) while shorthanded at home, and Karlsson has only posted double-digit Yahoo fantasy points once in his past eight games.

Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at TOR ($21): Toronto is scoring the fifth most goals (3.02) and generating the second most scoring chances (32.5) per 60 minutes, and Buffalo will be on the second leg of back-to-back games. Ristolainen is a cross-category machine with an extremely high fantasy floor. However, his plus-minus risk hinders his outlook Tuesday, especially alongside his hefty price.

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