Yahoo DFS Hockey: Saturday Picks

Yahoo DFS Hockey: Saturday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.

Saturday's main contests at Yahoo consist of the 10 evening games in the NHL. It's an incredibly balanced slate of games, too. The Predators and Golden Knights are the only two notable favorites. Additionally, it's worth noting how frequent games have been going over their total since the holiday break, so extra emphasis on starting the right goalies could continue to be a factor. Here are some recommendations and fades at each position. 

All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.

GOALIE

Robin Lehner, VGK vs. CHI ($27): Chicago has scored the fourth-fewest goals per game this season and have lost four straight out the holiday break. As noted, Vegas is a huge favorite, and Lehner has won five straight despite a middling .907 save percentage but high-end 2.37 GAA. This ticket also helps with the salary cap.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Jack Campbell, TOR at COL ($35): Unless you're chasing a contrarian edge, there's not a lot of incentive to spend up for Campbell. The Avalanche are the highest scoring team in the league by a significant margin, and they've scored 15 times during their three-game winning streak out of the break. 

CENTER

Jack Roslovic, CLS vs. NJ ($10): At the minimum salary, Roslovic is worth considering and will likely be an unpopular target Saturday. He's centering an intriguing line with Jakub Voracek and Oliver Bjorkstrand on his wings, and there's also some positive regression ahead for his 2.18 points per 60 minutes after he recorded a 2.51 mark last year. New Jersey has also surrendered the eighth-most goals per game in the league.

CENTER TO AVOID

Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. FLA ($33): In a deep center pool, there are enough options to look past Aho in a potentially daunting matchup against Florida. The Hurricanes are playing for the second consecutive night, and Aho is likely eyeing a long night matched up against Aleksander Barkov or Florida's high-scoring second line. 

WING

Filip Forsberg, NSH at ARI ($22): With Arizona allowing the most goals per game in the league, Forsberg will probably be a popular target in this salary range. He paces the league in goals per 60 minutes and has racked up seven tallies and six helpers through his past nine outings. His 29.2 percent shooting during the noted stretch is unsustainably high, though.

Martin Frk, LA vs. DET ($14): With a goal, six shots and 11 attempts in his season debut, Frk made an immediate impression. The high-volume shooter is projected to stick in a top-line role and skate with the No. 1 power-play unit, and Frk's also piled up 14 tallies and 15 helpers through 24 AHL games this season. Detroit isn't a daunting opponent, either. The Red Wings rank 22nd in penalty-kill percentage and have surrendered the ninth-most goals per game. 

WINGS TO AVOID

David Pastrnak, BOS at TB ($30): The Lightning are currently as close to full health as they've been all season, and they've allowed only three goals through their past two games. As a result, this might not be the best spot to chase Pastrnak's pending statistical correction. He's not projected to skate with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand at five-on-five, and Pastrnak has an underwhelming three points, including one goal, over his past 11 contests. 

Ryan Hartman, MIN vs. WAS ($22): With Kirill Kaprizov out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, Hartman's upside takes a hit. The duo have clicked for an elite 7.8 goals per 60 minutes, but Hartman's only been on the ice for 3.8 goals per 60 when skating away from Kaprizov. Washington also ranks eighth best in both goals against and penalty-kill percentage. 

DEFENSE

Roman Josi, NSH at ARI ($25): As noted, this is a plus matchup for the Preds, and the Nashville captain is also in top form. Josi has stuffed the stat sheet with four tallies, eight helpers, 41 shots and 17 blocks over his past 10 outings to highlight his high-floor, high-ceiling profile. 

Shea Theodore, VGK vs. CHI ($20): Chicago ranks 26th in penalty-kill percentage and has surrendered the seventh-most goals per game in the league, so this is a plus matchup for Theodore. He's projected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit, and he's recorded a rock-solid 1.92 points per 60 minutes on the campaign.

DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Devon Toews, COL vs. TOR ($24): It's been a dominant campaign for Toews. He ranks second in points per 60 minutes among all regular defensemen and boasts a plus-22 rating, which is a sneaky bonus in this scoring system. However, Toronto has surrendered the sixth-fewest goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and ranks ninth in penalty-kill percentage, so it's probably not the safest matchup in which to spend up for Toews.

Morgan Rielly, TOR at COL ($18): The Avalanche are dangerous throughout the lineup, and netminder Darcy Kuemper appears to have found his top form with a .929 save percentage and 2.28 GAA during his active seven-game winning streak. It just doesn't line up as a favorable matchup for Rielly. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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