This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Since the NHL is taking a few days off for Christmas, Monday is a busy, busy day. I'm not going to include the two afternoon games in my recommendations. That's because, even with me doing that, there are 11 games on the slate. You have a ton of options for your daily fantasy hockey lineup. Here are the guys I would target, and avoid, to take you into the holidays on a high note.
GOALIE
Robin Lehner, CHI vs. NJD ($33): Yes, Lehner has a 2.78 GAA, but that's only because he's been getting bombarded with shots. He's got a .926 save percentage, so clearly he's still playing well. This will likely be an easier matchup for Lehner. The Devils have only scored 2.37 goals per game, and remember that was largely with Taylor Hall in the lineup.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Braden Holtby, WAS at BOS ($34): Holtby's overall numbers (2.75 GAA, .911 save percentage) are still indicative of a slow start, as he's been much better over the last couple of months. That being said, this is a tough matchup for Holtby and the Capitals. The Bruins have scored 3.32 goals per game, and also has a 2.49 GAA. That could mean a tough night in net for the 30-year-old, and also the goal support nothing being there.
CENTER
Sean Couturier, PHI vs. NYR ($22): Despite a 9.5 shooting percentage that's a step down from his usual performance Couturier has 28 points in 36 games. He's also been hot recently, as he has 13 points in his last 14 contests. New York has a 3.24 GAA, in large part because it has given up 35.1 shots on net per game, and it is also on the second leg of a back-to-back. Couturier should be quite active Monday.
CENTER TO AVOID
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. STL ($20): There's not a lot of depth on the Kings, but Kopitar has enough talent around him for one good line and a solid enough power-play unit. However, Jordan Binnington has a 2.44 GAA and .920 save percentage. The Blues also have a top-five penalty kill, and 10 of Kopitar's 32 points have come with the extra man.
WING
Sam Reinhart, BUF at OTT ($18): Jack Eichel has been as hot as any player in the NHL, with an 18-game point streak to his name. Playing on his line is a good place to be right now, and you can probably guess where Reinhart finds himself. Indeed, he has 10 points in his last nine contests. Ottawa, meanwhile, has a 3.24 GAA.
Tomas Tatar, MTL at WPG ($17): The Jets have one of the best GAA in the league, but there's a couple of reasons to be interested in Tatar anyway. One, the Jets have allowed 32.5 shots on net per contest. Second, and more importantly, Winnipeg has the 30th-ranked penalty kill. Tatar has five of his 13 goals on the power play, so he could be in line to take advantage of the Jets' penalty-kill issues.
WINGS TO AVOID
Artemi Panarin, NYR at PHI ($28): You can't argue with the Bread Man's production, though you can imagine his 20.4 shooting percentage dropping. The Flyers have been loving their home cooking, though. They have a 2.00 GAA at home, and have only giving up 27.8 shots on net per contest in those matchups as well. With so many options for you to pick from, you can find better value than Panarin in this matchup.
T.J. Oshie, WAS at BOS ($21): Oshie has been his usual productive self, including on the power play, although he only has one power-play point in his last nine games. However, Monday he'll likely be facing off with Tuukka Rask, who has a 2.29 GAA and .922 save percentage. On top of that, the Bruins have a top-10 penalty kill to boot.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at OTT ($17): Since returning from injury, Dahlin has five points in five games, including three with the extra man. The Senators have a 3.24 GAA, but that includes a stretch of time when Anders Nilsson was standing on his head. Right now Nilsson is hurt, which leaves Craig Anderson (3.01 GAA, .901 save percentage) to start.
Erik Gustafsson, CHI vs. NJD ($17): Gustafsson has dropped off from what he did last season when he emerged as a notable offensive threat on the blue line, but at least he has five points in his last six games. Plus, the Devils have quickly become the top team to target when the Red Wings have the night off. New Jersey has a 3.51 GAA.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Torey Krug, BOS vs. WAS ($21): I know I recommended not going with Holtby in net, but this matchup is not suited to Krug's strengths. He's a power-play maven, and 15 of his 26 points have come with the extra man. The Capitals have the second-ranked penalty kill, so Krug could find himself shut down in this one.
Seth Jones, CLM at NYI ($19): Jones may have five points in his last three games, but I don't expect him to be able to stay hot. The Islanders have had a couple of off days recently, but they still have a 2.56 GAA and a .919 save percentage. You have 22 teams worth of players to choose from. Why roll the dice on Jones?
