This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's 11-game slate is one of the busiest the NHL will have all season, as they've made sure not to be outdone on the day the NBA comes back from the All-Star break. The high number of available options means there are many ways to accrue enough fantasy points to place, but the players below should all receive heavy lineup consideration regardless of your strategy.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS at NAS ($32) - Rask is one of the cheaper goaltenders available despite winning three of his last five starts. With Nashville counterpart Pekka Rinne struggling and the Predators ranking right in the middle of the pack offensively, he should be well worth $32 due to his high likelihood of getting the 6.0-point win bonus.
Goalie to Avoid:
Pekka Rinne, NAS vs. BOS ($35) - Rinne has just one win in his last five starts, allowing at least four goals in three of those games. Don't expect a turnaround against the NHL's third-best offense.
CENTER
Eric Staal, CAR at OTT ($15) - Staal hasn't exactly been lighting it up lately, but his history of production makes him a tempting play at just $15. He'll never face a more convenient opponent than Ottawa and their 30th-ranked defense, making the oldest Staal brother the ultimate buy-low candidate at the moment. Even in a down season, the veteran's production to date more than justifies a flier at this price.
Center to Avoid:
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at NYI ($25) - While his high assist total is nice, Backstrom hasn't found the back of the net in seven games. With so many players at his position on fire right now, it's tough to justify spending so much on him considering his inability to score lately.
WINGS
Jeff Skinner, CAR at OTT ($22) - Skinner has played at a point-per-game pace over his last seven games, and he now gets to face the worst defensive team in the league. Carolina doesn't have many appealing offensive assets, meaning the former figure skater is your best bet if you don't want to waste this fruitful matchup.
Chris Kunitz, PIT at DET ($20) - Kunitz has found the fountain of youth, and its name is Sidney Crosby. After recording just 15 points in his first 44 games, the 36-year-old winger has 11 in his last nine while skating on Pittsburgh's top line with the streaking center. His early struggles have kept Kunitz's price reasonable despite his strong recent form, making him a great bargain at just $20.
Wings to Avoid:
Phil Kessel, PIT at DET ($22) - Kessel hasn't been a major participant in Pittsburgh's recent offensive resurgence, scoring 6.0 or fewer fantasy points in six of his last seven games. His reasonably high price tag is mostly tied to name recognition at this point, as Kessel's stats are hardly worthy of a $22 player.
Milan Lucic, LA at STL ($19) - Lucic's 36 points through 55 games are nothing special, and his matchup against $41 goaltender Brian Elliott suggests scoring won't come easily. There are many smarter alternatives available at similar prices.
DEFENSEMEN
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI vs. DAL ($24) - Ekman-Larsson has 44 points after recording three goals and seven assists in his last six games heading into Thursday's clash with Dallas. While the Stars are a great team, their 20th-ranked penalty kill is not one of their strong points. The Swedish point man's power-play prowess should shine through once again, giving owners an asset that many might shy away from due to his seemingly tough opposition.
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. LA ($18) - A seven-game pointless streak significantly lowered Shattenkirk's price, turning him into a high-upside, buy-low candidate who possesses more offensive ability than other players in his price range. With so many options to choose from, his discounted price and excellent 0.59 point-per-game career average make him stand out from his peers.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Dan Girardi, NYR at TOR ($19) - Girardi's price jumped to $19 due to a multi-point game Sunday, but savvy owners should realize that price is too high for a player with only 15 points in 50 appearances. His blocked shots and plus/minus contributions are nice, but Girardi doesn't offer enough offensive upside to warrant his valuation.
Brent Burns, SJ at FLA ($27) - Burns' recent high shot totals are encouraging, but he still hasn't scored a goal in 15 games. Such a long drought is simply unacceptable for a $27 player with a minus-10 rating, and playing against a solid Panthers team doesn't figure to help matters much.
