This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
This Wednesday slate features a modest six games starting at 7:00 p.m. EST. Five of the games are inter-conference matchups, while the Maple Leafs and Capitals are the only two contenders from the same conference meeting up. Continue further to help navigate the daily fantasy landscape and set your lineup before the first puck drops.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, EDM vs. PHI ($32): The Flyers haven't enjoyed offensive riches on their road trip so far with just three goals in two games. Meanwhile, Smith is making a good first impression with Edmonton, allowing two or less goals in three of four games. The veteran netminder's offensive support looks like it's here to stay with 3.8 goals per contest, so he has a good shot to mark his fourth win of the year.
GOALIE TO AVOID
James Reimer, CAR at SAN ($33): The Hurricanes are on the second leg of back-to-back contests on the West Coast, and Reimer was bad on the road last year with an .886 save percentage and 3.23 GAA. He also has a career 2-5-0 record against the Sharks, which doesn't have a good chance of improving now that Team Teal has rediscovered its offense with eight goals in its last two outings.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. TOR ($25): Kuznetsov is on a mission, sporting four-game point streak and a solid floor with exactly three shots on net in each of those contests. His next target is Michael Hutchinson ($22), whose first start was brutal with five goals against on 42 shots. Kuznetsov's career 0.88 points per contest against the Maple Leafs makes him a premier option in this slate.
CENTER TO AVOID
Claude Giroux, PHI at EDM ($24): Coach Alain Vigneault blended the lines before Monday's 3-1 loss to the Flames, and Giroux's slump -- he has just one point so far -- wasn't fixed with zero points and just one shot on net. A matchup against Smith and the Oilers' stout blue line won't make it any easier.
WINGS
Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. COL ($25): The Penguins' offense has stayed lively despite Evgeni Malkin's (leg) absence, and that's because Guentzel and Sidney Crosby ($35) have carried the load. The duo has combined for 15 points over the last five games, and while Guentzel accounts for just six of those, he's much cheaper and two came on the power play, although stacking the two isn't a bad idea.
Cam Atkinson, CLS vs. DAL ($21): The Stars are having a tough time keeping the puck out of their net -- their opponents have lit the lamp 3.8 times per game. Atkinson has only marked two goals this year, but he was a 41-goal scorer last year. His shot percentage is down 5.9 percent from last season, but his volume is still a whopping five shots per game. He's itching, and the opportunity is right to tickle the twine.
WINGS TO AVOID
Alexander Radulov, DAS at CLS ($23): Radulov can't seem to find his groove with five pointless outings already. The 33-year-old only has seven points in 17 career games against the Blue Jackets, so it's going to be tough to get back on track.
Kyle Okposo, BUF at ANH ($17): The upside can draw you in, as he has a two-point outing this year, but the floor isn't worth your time. Over the last four game, Okposo has finished with less than one fantasy points three times. John Gibson ($35) has been tough to figure out this year with a .941 save percentage and 1.82 GAA, so it's more likely Okposo leaves fantasy gamers wanting more.
DEFENSE
Morgan Rielly, TOR at WAS ($24): Rielly's coming off a four-assist game with two on the man advantage against the Wild, and a matchup against the Caps is just as appealing. They offer the third-most power-play opportunities in the league so far (25), if the Maple Leafs' top unit gets enough chances it'll knock a few home.
Cale Makar, COL at PIT ($17): Makar started his quest for the Calder Trophy with a five-game, six-assist streak. This game's 6.5 O/U, according to Yahoo!, gives him a solid chance to keep up the momentum, especially since he's going to stick on the top power play until the flame dies.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
John Klingberg, DAL at CLS ($19): Klingberg is averaging a whopping 24:20 TOI, but it hasn't developed into much offense. The 27-year-old blueliner has one point and a minus-5 rating over seven games. The Blue Jackets have tightened up defensively with an average of 2.3 goals allowed over the past three outings.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at EDM ($15): Over the previous three seasons, Gostisbehere has accounted for half of his 140 points on the man advantage. He's pointless through four contests now, and it'll be tough to buck the trend since the Oilers have yielded just one goal to opposing power plays on 20 attempts.
