This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. It's now Black Friday, and a DFS win could put a little extra change in your pocket for your shopping needs. Since this is a holiday weekend, the NHL has a bunch of afternoon games going on. Fortunately, Yahoo has a slate of contests that don't include the 1:00 PM ET start, giving you a chance to get your lineup in by 4:00 PM ET while still getting to pick from 11 games. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your DFS lineup.
GOALIE
Carter Hart, PHI vs. DET ($31): This is an easy choice. Despite producing a .900 save percentage, Hart has posted a 2.54 GAA because the Flyers have only allowed 28.6 shots on goal per game. The Red Wings' offense could best be described as pitiful, as they've only managed 2.19 goals per game - and nobody else has averaged fewer than 2.39.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Robin Lehner, CHI vs. COL ($35): Lehner has been impressive, but his team hasn't made it easy for him. The Blackhawks have allowed a whopping 36.8 shots on net per contest, highest in the NHL. Colorado has dealt with injuries, but it hasn't stopped its offense from racking up the goals with 3.54 goals per game.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS at SAN ($): Kopitar is riding a four-game point streak, and has only had one game without a point over his last 11 outings. That has helped him rack up 27 points in 25 contests. Meanwhile, the Sharks enter with a 3.38 GAA, largely because their goalies are struggling with a .887 team save percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
William Karlsson, VGK vs. ARI ($24): Karlsson is having another solid year - though not quite on the level of his 43-goal campaign - but he's been held without a point in his last five contests. Lots of players have been held without a point by the Coyotes and Darcy Kuemper with his 2.03 GAA and .932 save percentage.
WING
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR vs. NAS ($23): Svechnikov didn't make a dent on the power play last year, but he's turned himself into a wizard with the extra man in his sophomore campaign by notching 11 points while averaging 3:00 per game. Nashville has posted a 3.33 GAA, and a big reason for that is due to their 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Travis Konecny, PHI vs. DET ($21): The Predators may own the 29th-ranked penalty kill, but the Red Wings rank 30th. On top of that, the Wings have the league's worst GAA with a whopping 3.81. Konecny, who is on the wing for Philly's top line, has notched 24 points in 25 games - with nine of those points coming with the extra man.
WINGS TO AVOID
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. STL ($26): Seguin has picked it up after a slow start, though he still only has three points with the extra man. This is going to be a tricky day for Seguin, as Jordan Binnington has proven he's no flash in the pan with a 2.27 GAA and .925 save percentage through 20 games.
Filip Forsberg, NAS at CAR ($24): Forsberg has been active since returning from injury. But if there's one thing the Hurricanes are known for, it's suppressing shots. Carolina has given up a mere 28.2 shots on net per game, fewest in the NHL. That's helped the Canes post a 2.84 GAA. Oh, and the Hurricanes also own the eighth-ranked penalty kill, so don't expect much luck there.
DEFENSE
Thomas Chabot, OTT at MIN ($18): Chabot has to shoulder a big load, but he's been up to it. The 22-year-old has averaged 25:20 in ice time, including 3:42 with the extra man. That's helped him notch 15 points and 68 shots on net through 25 games. The Wild have struggled to a 3.28 GAA. And while Devan Dubnyk has returned to the team, he may not be playing, which means backup Alex Stalock will start.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. TOR ($17): Ristolainen only has recorded eight points through 25 games, but that's with a 1.7 shooting percentage. He's been active, putting 55 shots on net and blocking 35 shots. Also, with Rasmus Dahlin hurt, Ristolainen has been getting a lot of time on the power play. The Maple Leafs own the 27th-ranked penalty kill, and they've also allowed 33.1 shots on net per contest.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Alex Pietrangelo, STL at DAL ($21): Pietrangelo has registered 19 points on the season, but 10 of those have come on the power play. Given the Stars rank fifth on the penalty kill, that doesn't bode well. You know what also isn't promising for the veteran Blues' defenseman? Ben Bishop's 2.23 GAA and .926 save percentage.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. STL ($19): Klingberg has played better since returning from his injury, but he still only has eight points in 20 games - and only one goal. Will he pick it up eventually? Probably, but the odds are against it happening Friday. As I mentioned earlier, Jordan Binnington has posted a 2.27 GAA and .925 save percentage.
