This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
A limited three-game slate Wednesday could make or break the bank depending on how you choose. Here are some value plays to consider...
Goalie
John Gibson, ANH vs. BOS ($32)
Gibson has enjoyed moderate success on home ice this season, as the 24-year-old owns a .922 save percentage in Anaheim, though his 3-5-1 record leaves something to be desired. Fortunately, he and the Ducks will have a good chance at a win against a struggling, heavily injured Boston squad that will be missing Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and has scored two goals or fewer in four of the last five games.
Goalie to Avoid
Corey Crawford, CHI vs. NYR ($34)
Crawford is riding a three-game losing streak that culminated in his getting shelled to the tune of five goals against the Devils on Sunday. The Rangers come into Wednesday's matchup having won six games in a row with four goals or more scored in five of those contests. The Blueshirts also rank fifth in the NHL with 3.40 road goals per game.
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Center
Artem Anisimov, CHI vs. NYR ($16)
Many factors play into Anisimov's favor Wednesday. The Russian pivot is enjoying a nice run of production recently, netting five goals and adding an assist to go with 25 shots on goal in his last eight games. Additionally, Anisimov's play has been better in Chicago than on the road, as his five points and plus-4 rating there will attest. The Rangers' 4.20 road GAA is the cherry on top.
Center to Avoid
Mikael Backlund, CGY @ DET ($17)
Backlund is in the midst of a seven-game goal drought, and the problem is seemingly stemming from the Swede's inability to shoot the puck -- over the aforementioned time period, Backlund has taken just 14 shots on goal. Until the 28-year-old picks up the shooting pace, he's not a recommended play at this price, especially against a relatively stout Detroit defense that is allowing just 2.78 goals per game.
Wing
Jakob Silfverberg, ANH vs. BOS ($17)
Silfverberg has been furiously attacking the net over the Ducks' last five games, finding twine four times on 23 shots on goal while seeing 3:12 of average power-play ice time over that span. The Bruins are allowing 3.50 away goals per game this season and have allowed 11 in their last three games regardless of location, so Silfverberg has a good chance to continue his positive offensive run Wednesday.
Andreas Athanasiou, DET vs. CGY ($13)
Athanasiou's Wednesday price is astoundingly low considering the excellent position he is in from a fantasy perspective. The young forward is seeing regular top-six time and a role on the first power-play unit, positions that are exacerbated by the fact that the Red Wings are dealing with numerous injuries in their offensive corps. AA has as many home points as he does home games played this season, further making him a steal at this price.
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Wings to Avoid
Brandon Saad, CHI vs. NYR ($23)
Saad tallied seven points in his first four games, which drove his DFS price way up. In the last eight contests, however, the 25-year-old has found the back of the net just once while taking 28 shots on goal -- amounting to an ugly 3.6 shooting percentage. Saad's price is way too high to take a chance here.
Mats Zuccarello, NYR @ CHI ($19)
The relatively limited success that Zuccarello has experienced this season has come almost exclusively on home ice, as the Norwegian forward hasn't recorded a point on the road since putting up four in Toronto way back on Oct. 7. The United Center can be a tough building to play in, and Zuccarello's highly variable ice time -- ranging from 15:25 to 21:12 in the last three games -- doesn't make him any more appealing Wednesday.
Defense
Brandon Montour, ANH vs. BOS ($16)
Montour has found success on the Ducks' power play this season, averaging 2:50 of ice time and recording four of his nine points. The second-year blueliner seems to be hitting his stride right now, notching two points and firing 11 shots on goal in his last three games, so feel free to roll him out against this struggling Bruins squad.
Jan Rutta, CHI vs. NYR ($15)
There's no place like home for Rutta, as the rookie defenseman has six points and an excellent plus-7 rating through nine games in the Windy City. To put that in perspective, compared to away games, the Czech Republic native has double the amount of points and shots on goal on home ice. Speaking of uneven home-away splits, the Rangers 4.20 road GAA make Rutta an even more appetizing play Wednesday.
Defensemen to Avoid
Duncan Keith, CHI vs. NYR ($19)
Keith has been less than impressive lately, finding the scoresheet just once and recording a dismal minus-6 rating in his last nine contests. The 34-year-old's price ties him for the second most expensive option Wednesday, so he's probably not worth the coin.
T.J. Brodie, CGY @ DET ($15)
Brodie's role on the first power-play unit and his low price would seem to make him a smart choice, he just isn't involved enough offensively. The Ontario native has just three points and nine shots on goal in his last nine games. He's a risky play in Hockeytown on Wednesday.
