This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven games on the docket for Friday and other than a Sharks-Devils and Hurricanes-Red Wings matchups, the games will probably be pretty close. Those who want to load up on a single team in hopes of a blowout win should lean toward Detroit, with their balanced attack going against a thin blue line in Carolina. The Wings' top line of Justin Abdelkader, Henrik Zetterberg and Dylan Larkin should continue to be dynamite, while Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco are both excellent options for the playmaking Brad Richards.
The games to avoid are probably Canucks-Blues and Wild-Kings, since Western Conference teams tend play tighter games and beat each other to a pulp. The Canucks defense tend to have a little trouble containing fast forwards, so Vladimir Tarasenko is a real threat, but with home-ice advantage and last change, the Canucks will be able to dictate the defensive matchups. The Wild (other than Zach Parise) and Kings are both struggling offensively, but the Wild are faring better with the Kings in a state of flux.
The Avalanche-Ducks game could get interesting with both teams featuring lots of firepower. Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog have 11 points through three games, and though Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have yet to hit the scoresheet, it should just be a matter of time for the two Team Canada mainstays. If there is any game the Ducks can really open the offensive floodgates, the Avs and their porous defense and inconsistent goaltending may present some opportunities.
GOALIE
Ondrej Pavelec, WPG vs. CGY ($31) - The Jets defense is a bit leaky, allowing 74 shots in Pavelec's two previous starts, but he's also sporting a .932 save percentage. Admittedly, the Flames can be a dangerous opponent, but outside of Johnny Gaudreau, their offense doesn't too hot, not to mention they'll be in enemy territory in Winnipeg. The glaring stat? Pavelec is 1-3-0 in five career starts against Calgary, with an ugly 3.38 GAA and .867 save percentage, but on a night where only a few goalies are sure things, Pavelec is still a pretty solid play, and past performance doesn't always indicate future performance.
Goalies to Avoid
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS vs. TOR ($36) - Yes, the smart money is on Bobrovsky to have a bounce-back game at some point and the Leafs are struggling, but he's taking up too much valuable salary for a dicey play. The results aren't there, but the Leafs are playing hard under Mike Babcock, and even if Bobrovsky plays well, the Columbus defense has been very poor.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. CGY ($17) - The 22-year-old is a budding star, and the Jets have been soaring on offense with 15 goals in four games. He'll face Karri Ramo, who allowed five goals in the Flames' season opener against Vancouver. The Calgary defense is deep and mobile, but with 11 goals allowed in three games, they're still trying to get into a groove. Scheifele also likely will play with Nikolaj Ehlers, who's one of the league's slickest players.
Player to Avoid
Brandon Sutter, VAN vs. STL ($17) - This really depends on where Sutter lines up; if rookie center Jared McCann draws in, expect Sutter to be on the top line with the Sedins, but if rookie winger Jake Virtanen draws in, expect Sutter to be the team's third-line center behind Henrik Sedin and Bo Horvat. Coach Willie Desjardins hasn't revealed his lineup yet, so Sutter's situation is unclear, but it's better just to avoid him. The Blues are also stout on defense, so goals won't be easy to come by anyway.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at WPG ($21) - Gaudreau's had a hand in five of the Flames' seven goals this season, so that's your proof that he's been the focal point of the offense. The Jets defense will look to lock down Gaudreau and center Sean Monahan, but Gaudreau, generously listed at 5-foot-9, is slippery and hard to catch. He's one of the more expensive wingers Friday, but he's also one of the better bets.
Gustav Nyquist, DET vs. CAR ($15) - He's one of Detroit's go-to weapons and the Hurricanes may be the worst team in the league. Nyquist is coming off a 54-point campaign and already has a goal and assist this season. Carolina has allowed 10 goals in three games this season. Nyquist is one of the best value plays Friday; even if he's not on one of the top two lines he's a fixture on the power play.
Players to Avoid
Nick Foligno, CLS vs. TOR ($22) - He has three assists in four games, but he's also playing on the third line and the team is struggling mightily. The Leafs are looking for their first win and are coming off a six-day rest after a spirited tilt against Ottawa. There are other plenty of other wingers who will have bigger roles and better chances to score the Jackets captain. Scott Hartnell also belongs in this group.
Blake Comeau, COL at ANA ($15) - He may have a spot on one of the Avs' top two lines, but he's pointless in three games and scored more than 40 points once in his entire career. He's just not a legitimate scorer but gets some prime opportunities simply because the Avs need someone who can play the left wing.
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Burns, SJ at NJ ($24) - He's the most expensive defenseman Friday but could easily be worth it against the lowly Devils. Cory Schneider is expected to start, which certainly makes things a little harder, but the Sharks look sharp through three games and their 12 goals are tied for most in the Pacific Division. Burns is consistently one of the top producing defenseman in the league.
Mike Green, DET vs. CAR ($17) - There's no denying why the Wings signed Green. They needed a right-hand shot who could move the puck up the ice, and Green fits the bill perfectly. Obviously, not having Danny DeKeyser around means Green may have to pay a little more attention on defense, but against the Hurricanes there shouldn't be much to worry about. Green is looking to replicate his success in Washington with the Red Wings on a one-year contract.
Players to Avoid
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. STL ($21) - Edler can be frustrating because he's an immensely talented, do-it-all player who just doesn't score as much as you think he would. As one of the most expensive players Friday, he also offers little upside against a team that the Canucks have struggled against. He'll likely be tasked with keeping Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz in check rather than jumping up on offense.
Sami Vatanen, ANA vs. COL ($20) - His ice time has creeped up to the 18-minute range, but he's also coming off a minus-2 performance against Arizona that likely will see his ice time cut back down. He broke out last year in the playoffs with 11 points in 16 games but has struggled through the early goings of the season. Until he can re-establish himself at the top of Anaheim's deep defensive corps, it's best just to avoid him.
