Yahoo DFS Hockey: Wednesday Picks

The holiday season has shaken up the NHL schedule, so there are 12 games Wednesday. That's busier than usual, which gives you more players to choose from. Who should you choose and avoid? Here's a few options…

GOALIE

Braden Holtby, WAS vs. STL ($35): This isn't a particularly easy matchup for Holtby, although with a .927 save percentage he doesn't need an easy matchup to do well. Plus, the Blues will be on the road on the second night of a back-to-back, which helps Washington's chances of winning. This fact — combined with Holtby's skill — makes him a good bet to help out your fantasy team.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Jimmy Howard, DET at BUF ($39): Howard has been great this year, posting a .940 save percentage. However, the Wings have really struggled recently. They are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, and their offense has struggled. Howard may not get the goal support to get the win, and considering he's the most expensive goalie Wednesday, that makes him a risky proposition.

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Jeff Carter, LOS vs. NYI ($19): Carter has been on a tear recently, posting 13 points in his last 10 games. He's also taken 67 shots on goal in total. Carter is leading the Kings in points, and he gets to go up against an Islanders team that will be on their second night of a back-to-back. That bodes well for him.

CENTER TO AVOID

John Tavares, NYI vs. LOS ($26): The problem isn't so much Tavares as it is the team he has around him. The Kings have been merely good at goal prevention, although some of that stems from Jeff Zatkoff's four appearances in net. Tavares will also be, as previously mentioned, on the second night of a back-to-back. There aren't really any glaring question marks among the more expensive centers, so Tavares becomes the player to avoid.

WING

Brandon Saad, CLM vs. CGY ($20):Brian Elliott (and his .882 save percentage) is listed as the expected starter for the Flames. Even if he doesn't start, does Chad Johnson and his .911 save percentage scare you? Saad has 14 points, and the Flames aren't likely to put up much of a fight.

Max Domi, ARI vs. VAN ($15): While we've mostly focused on Vancouver's woeful offense, they are allowing 3.2 goals per game and both of their goalies have sub-.900 save percentages. Domi only has two goals, but his 5.4 shooting percentage is all but guaranteed to rise, and he has 11 assists. He's playing a full minute more per game over his rookie year when he netted 52 points, so there's real offensive potential here.

WINGS TO AVOID

Jamie Benn, DAL at NAS ($29): Nashville is middle-of-the-pack in goal prevention and the penalty kill, but Pekka Rinne has a .933 save percentage. Benn has two goals in his last two games, but he still only has 16 points in 20 games, which is a little low for him. Sure, Benn is good, but he's also pricey, and you can find cheaper players who are almost as good in better matchups.

Patrik Laine, WPG at MIN ($28): There's no denying the rookie's skill, even if his 21.1 shooting percentage is all but assured to drop. Minnesota is first in goals allowed per game, though, and Devan Dubnyk has been outstanding. Laine is likely to have a fine rookie season, but some matchups prove difficult, and this is one of them.

DEFENSEMEN

Seth Jones, CLM vs. CGY ($16): Jones returned to action from injury Monday, playing 23:46 and looking no worse for the wear. While Jones isn't as dynamic as Zach Werenski ($22), he's also notably cheaper, and is a good player in his own right. The former Predator only has six points, but he's also only played in 11 games, and now has a great matchup with the Flames.

Alec Martinez, LOS vs. NYI ($18): While nobody expects Martinez to finish with more points than Drew Doughty, he's continued to play well after his hot start. He has 12 points 44 shots on goal in 20 games while averaging 23 minutes per night (a career high), and as mentioned earlier, this is a very favorable matchup for the Kings.

DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Dustin Byfuglien, WPG at MIN ($22): The Wild and their defensive prowess was elaborated on earlier. Big Buff is playing an insane amount of minutes — over 28 per game — but only has one goal and nine assists. That's fine and all, but he's not playing so out-of-his-mind that he'll be worth this price at Minnesota.

John Klingberg, DAL at NAS ($19): Klingberg was already having a disappointing season. Then, he got benched for Dallas' last game because he missed a meeting. He will likely play Wednesday and will eventually be fine. Right now, though, he's a player who is hard to trust, especially in a relatively tough matchup against Pekka Rinne and the Predators.