This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We're used to Thursday and Saturday being busy days for NHL teams, but Friday is no respite, as there are six games taking place. That's good for daily fantasy players. You have a decent amount of players from which to choose, but there aren't so many as to be potentially overwhelming. Not that you couldn't use a little help in terms of who to target and who to avoid, of course.
GOALIE
Anders Nilsson, BUF vs. NJD ($27): Nilsson is one of the cheapest projected starters Friday. Even though he has a .937 save percentage this season, his career numbers are underwhelming. However, the Sabres are at home, and the Devils are starting Keith Kinkaid, not Cory Schneider. Both teams struggle to score. Nilsson has a pretty good chance of picking up a win, and he'd save you quite a few bucks. It's a bit of a gamble, but a good one.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Michael Hutchinson, WPG at COL ($31): The Avalanche have struggled to score, but it's tough to look at their offensive talent and not think they'll pick it up at least a little. Meanwhile, Hutchinson has a .896 save percentage, after posting a 907 save percentage last season. He's struggled as well, and with the goalie slate being pretty strong Friday, Hutchinson looks like a worse option comparatively.
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CENTER
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. PHI ($18): The Leafs and Flyers are both teams that have been playing high scoring games, and allowing a lot of goals in the process. Kadri has a slightly smaller role than he used to, but he has six goals and nine points in 13 games, and four power-play points. A few Maple Leafs are worthy options, but Kadri comes at a lower price than some of the others, making him more of a value pick.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. WAS ($22): Toews has racked up points recently, but four came against Dallas. Washington is much better at goal prevention than Dallas and has a great goalie in Braden Holtby. It's going to be a tough matchup for Toews, and it will be difficult for him to earn his price point.
WING
Jordan Eberle, EDM vs. DAL ($22): The Stars will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and their porous defense and problematic goaltending could be even worse than usual. Playing alongside Connor McDavid has helped propel Eberle to 11 points and 44 shots on goal in 14 games. Going up against Dallas, and probably Antti Niemi, should help lift all those totals.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at COL ($16): Despite his 3.67 GAA and .881 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov will start for the Avalanche. That's enticing enough, but Ehlers, who got off to a slow start, has seven points in his last three games. Overall, he's taken 36 shots. It's a great matchup, and a nice price for a young player who could be rounding into form.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, BUF vs. NJD ($18): Kane is back playing, but he's only played one game since suffering a rib injury. He hasn't registered a point yet, though he's only played in two games so it's not too fair to harp on that. Regardless, it would be reasonable for him to be rusty, and it makes sense to wait and see on him.
T.J. Oshie, WAS at CHI ($22): Oshie has six goals this year, but they've come on 29 shots, given him an unusually high shooting percentage. This is not so much about Oshie's play, though, since he's been good. Chicago has been rounding into form, and Corey Crawford has a .939 save percentage. In a better matchup, Oshie could be worth a shot, but not in this one.
DEFENSEMEN
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at TOR ($22): The man known as Ghost Bear because it's easier to remember than his actual name has already taken 45 shots on goal in 14 games. For the second season in a row, he's playing more than four minutes a night on the power play, and he has four points with the extra man. Toronto is one of only a couple teams that have been worse than Philly at goal prevention. It should not provide much resistance to Gostisbehere.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. DAL ($15): If you're looking for a bargain play, Klefbom is an option. He doesn't have a goal yet this season, but he's taken 30 shots on goal in 14 games, and he's playing 2:13 a night on the power play. He's also blocked 30 shots and should get plenty of opportunities to do that against Dallas as well. Klefbom is a top pair defenseman with a really good matchup, and he's cheap. That could work out really well potentially.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
John Carlson, WAS at CHI ($23): Carlson has, frankly, seemed a bit overpriced most weeks. He's a very good defenseman, but should he be the second most expensive defenseman Friday, particularly in this matchup? Like Klefbom, Carlson has no goals this season, but Carlson has a worse matchup and will cost $8 more. Carlson is a better player, but he's definitely not a better value.
John Klingberg, DAL at EDM ($19): Klingberg has been decent this season, but he is on the second night of a back-to-back. Edmonton has been better this year at goal prevention, as well. Klingberg won't be a complete disaster just because he played in Calgary on Thursday night, but it definitely matters, and there are plenty of options.
