This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
While there are 10 games on the schedule Tuesday, this article will only cover the nine-game main slate starting at 7 PM Eastern time. With that said, here are some of the best values to be on the lookout for Tuesday.
Goalie
Craig Anderson, OTT vs. MIN ($22)
That's right: the lowest-priced projected starter for Tuesday's slate is my pick to provide some stupendous value. Sure, Anderson's numbers this season are disappointing, but let's not forget that he put up a solid .926 save percentage and 2.28 GAA in 2016-17. The Wild are one of the coldest offensive teams in the league right now, posting two goals or fewer in six of their eight games in December, so Anderson could be a sneaky pick here.
Goalie to Avoid
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG @ NSH ($32)
The Jets playing in Nashville on Tuesday works against Hellebuyck two-fold. Firstly, the 24-year-old has played significantly worse in away games this season, posting just a pedestrian .911 save percentage and 2.83 GAA on the road. Secondly, the Predators have proven to be lethal at Bridgestone Arena over the last few seasons and have posted 3.73 goals per game there during this campaign. Overall, it makes Hellebuyck an unattractive option Tuesday.
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Center
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. DET ($16)
Speaking of teams that step up their game on home ice, the Islanders are currently leading the league in that regard, averaging 4.29 goals per game within the confines of Barclays Center. Barzal has quickly emerged as one of the top talents in this explosive offense, as he maintains a top-six role and regular minutes with the first power-play unit on his way to 29 points thus far in his rookie season.
Center to Avoid
William Karlsson, VGK vs. TB ($19)
Karlsson went on an absurd run in the second half of November into December, scoring 13 points with 33.3 percent shooting in nine games, but has cooled off significantly since then, recording two points in the last six contests. Andrei Vasilevskiy and a stout Tampa Bay defensive front could present problems for the young Swede, so don't overpay for him here.
Wing
Mats Zuccarello, NYR vs. ANH ($18)
Zuccarello has proven himself to be a reliable contributor since a relatively rocky start to the season, playing at a point-per-game pace since Nov. 11 and posting a point in his last three contests. The Ducks will be playing their second game in as many nights Tuesday and on the fourth game of a road trip playing with a hobbled squad, so this could serve as the perfect opportunity for the Norwegian winger to strike again.
Tomas Tatar, DET @ NYI ($17)
While the Islanders have been excellent offensively, their main weakness has been in their penalty killing, as they currently rank dead last in the NHL by killing off just 73 percent of their penalties. Tatar has found most of his success with the Red Wings' first power-play unit, scoring six of his 10 goals this season with the man advantage, so look for him to get aggressive if and when the Isles go down a skater.
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Wings to Avoid
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA @ ARI ($23)
Huberdeau hasn't felt comfortable in road games this season, as he's now recorded four fewer points and a plus-minus rating seven points lower than what he's marked at home. Although Arizona's defense has been abysmal this season, the fact that the Quebec native holds a minus-6 rating and has taken just seven shots on goal in the last five games does not inspire confidence and just screams "trap game" for the Tuesday matchup.
T.J. Oshie, WSH @ DAL ($22)
Oshie (upper body) is expected to return to action Tuesday following a six-game absence, but that doesn't mean you should necessarily roll with him in this tough matchup. The Stars have been stout defensively on home ice this season, ranking ninth in the league (2.43 goals allowed per game) in that regard. The 30-year-old looked shaky in two instances when coming back from multi-game injuries during the 2016-17 campaign, so don't count on a strong return here.
Defense
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. MON ($18)
Life just got a lot easier for Edler and his Canucks teammates Tuesday upon word that Shea Weber (foot) will be sidelined indefinitely. The absence of the Montreal defenseman could allow Edler to excel on the power play, where he currently serves as the quarterback while averaging 2:36 of ice time there, as well as block more shots than he already does, as he will not have to worry about that blistering slapshot.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS @ BUF ($15)
Coming off of his first career Gordie Howe hat trick Monday night, McAvoy will be looking to stay hot against a Buffalo team that has not been good in any phase of the game to this point in the season. The Boston University alum has seven points and a plus-8 rating in his last nine games and has shown flashes of being the playmaker that many thought he could be. His cheap Tuesday price makes it worth finding out.
Defensemen to Avoid
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. DET ($21)
Leddy has been largely ineffective in his last five games, recording no goals and a minus-5 rating while firing just seven shots on goal. The Minnesota native may not be able to kickstart his offense on the power play, as the Red Wings are able to kill off 82.9 percent of their penalties, so the offensive, and at worst defensive, woes could continue for the defenseman Tuesday.
Anton Stralman, TB @ VGK ($18)
The Golden Knights have been outstanding on both ends of the ice when playing in Vegas, averaging 3.69 goals for and 2.38 goals against. With Stralman not a factor in the Lightning's power-play plans, it may prove difficult to get anything going in what is sure to be a tough, but exciting, matchup.
