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The basic judge of a player's value in fantasy hockey tends to be his goal and point totals. If a player is scoring, he has fantasy value and warrants a regular spot in any lineup. This can be a mistake, as it neglects to delve deeper into what other contributions a player is bringing to a fantasy team.

Here are five players with identical goal, assist and point totals and a look at which of the two is actually the more valuable player in standard fantasy leagues (stats as of Tuesday, Jan. 17; all advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):

Toronto Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews vs. Winnipeg Jets RW Patrik Laine

While Laine is out for an undetermined length of time due to a concussion, he had been the superior fantasy option to the No. 1 overall pick from the 2016 draft. Laine stormed off to an early lead in the goals race, and although Matthews caught up in the category, Laine's improved plus/minus and additional penalty minutes have swung things in his favor.

Matthews is the safer fantasy option even if Laine were currently active. Matthews has been less streaky this season, and his role as the Maple Leafs' top center ensures him playing time and opportunity. Matthews has the superior Corsi For rating, and the Leafs average nearly four more scoring chances per 60 minutes when he's on the ice than the Jets do with Laine.

Chicago Blackhawks LW Artemi Panarin vs. Boston Bruins LW Brad Marchand

Marchand's high propensity for penalty minutes is his biggest fantasy asset over players with similar offensive abilities. Panarin is all but guaranteed to finish the year with a lofty plus/minus rating as a part of the Blackhawks' top line. Both players have similar offerings on the power play, though Panarin is guaranteed more ice time with the man advantage.

Both players have elite Corsi ratings, with Marchand holding the advantage at 61.16 percent as the wing man for C Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins see more scoring chances with Marchand on the ice. His Scoring Chance For percentage of 55.62 is a big improvement over Panarin's 46.91 rating.

Marchand is the one to own in all fantasy formats.

Minnesota Wild C Mikael Granlund vs. Dallas Stars LW Jamie Benn

Granlund's breakout season comes with the highest average ice time of his career, and a high-but-sustainable 11.9 shooting percentage. Benn has played in fewer games, but his average TOI is down just four seconds from last season's career high. His shooting percentage is at a four-year low.

Both players have a Corsi rating below 50 percent, though Granlund provides the Wild with more scoring chances for and fewer against per 60 minutes. Granlund is playing on the superior team, and spending more time in the offensive end than Benn. Owners really need to decide which of plus/minus and penalty minutes they value/need most.

Ottawa Senators RW Mark Stone vs. Carolina Hurricanes C Victor Rask

The Senators' insistence on playing Stone away from LW Mike Hoffman and C Kyle Turris at 5v5 significantly caps his upside, but he is still on pace to top last season's 61 points. He should reach a career high in goals and could push for upward of 30.

Rask has been providing similar offensive value across the board as the Hurricanes' No. 1 center, but Stone's added value on the power play has been the biggest boost thus far.

Stone has better analytic ratings in CF%, xGF60 and SCF60 at 5v5. What we've seen so far this season from Stone is his floor. Should Ottawa load up a top line at 5v5, he could reach his ceiling. Own him where possible.

Winnipeg Jets D Dustin Byfuglien vs. Dallas Stars D John Klingberg

It has been a disappointing season for the Stars' offense as a whole, and Klingberg has certainly suffered as a result. He's in danger of falling short of 50 points, as he is taking far fewer shots than he did a year ago. Byfuglien has been shooting at a similar rate to last season, but his shooting percentage is down over 50% from last season.

Penalty minutes are the biggest differential, with both players also struggling in plus/minus. Klingberg finishes a slightly higher percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone, but both players are well below 50 percent in zone-finish ratio. Byfuglien has the closer shot distance by over a foot.

With both players under performing and not receiving enough help from their teammates, choose Byfuglien's assured penalty minutes.

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