This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Once again, expect Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin to rule the night. Although they're coming off a game Thursday night, they'll be facing the Oilers and ... well, it's the Oilers. What more can be said? The Oilers are a better team this year, with or without Connor McDavid in the lineup, but the Stars feast on teams that can't keep the puck out of their net.
The Sharks-Ducks game should be equally exciting, though it could easily be a low-scoring, tight-checking game or a high-scoring, fire wagon-style game. The other matchups don't look as intriguing with eight of the league's top 10 scorers having played Thursday night, but the Blues-Islanders and Bruins-Flames games should provide some intriguing picks.
GOALIE
Linus Ullmark, BUF vs. ARI ($30) - He's winless in his last five starts but should get the nod again after a 41-save performance in his previous start against Detroit. The Coyotes should be an easier matchup, and they do have some kid firepower with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair, but Ullmark is one of the better and cheaper options available Friday. Another goalie to consider is the Ducks' Frederik Andersen (flu), who has a .921 SV% and 2.26 GAA at home, but it's believed that John Gibson will start.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ at ANH ($36) - He's certainly established himself as one of the better goalies, but a road matchup against the Ducks is a dicey play. Anaheim has struggled all season and have lost two of its last three games, but both were one-goal losses. The Ducks should be able to depend on their goaltending, which will feature Andersen, who is very good at home, or Gibson, who can turn in a stellar performance in any given game.
CENTER
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at CGY ($26) - If you're not going with Seguin or Joe Pavelski here, Bergeron is absolutely the best play. He's playing at an MVP-like level for the Bruins, averaging a point per game and has only failed to register a point in four games this season. He's the absolute favorite for the Selke Trophy this season, and a strong offensive season, such as the one he's on pace, should cement it. For a cheaper option, check out Jason Spezza ($20) or the red-hot Leon Draisaitl ($19).
Center to Avoid:
Frans Nielsen, NYI vs. STL ($22) - On a night where so many good centers are playing, Nielsen should be an afterthought. He's an excellent two-way player, but against the Blues goals will be hard to come by, and no doubt he'll be tasked to keep Vladimir Tarasenko's line (Jori Lehtera, Paul Stastny) in check. There's not much upside for a player who is putting up good numbers because he's getting them in bunches early in the season.
WINGERS
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. ARI ($21) - I still think he's an overrated player, but O'Reilly has been dominant for the Sabres, winning at least 60 percent of his faceoffs in four of his last five games and averaging nearly a point per game. With two teams icing younger players, the speed of the game should be off the charts, which should benefit a guy like O'Reilly. A Domi/Duclair and Jack Eichel/Sam Reinhart showdown could get ridiculous.
Patrick Sharp, DAL at EDM ($22) - If there's no space for Benn and Seguin, consider Sharp, who is still dangerous on offense. It's true the 33-year-old seem to have lost a step, but other than a four-game drought to begin the season, he hasn't gone more than two straight games without registering a single point. He has five points in his last five games.
Wings to Avoid:
Brad Marchand, BOS at CGY ($24) - He's having a good season, but he's also not in the same tier as many of the guys he's priced with. The known agitator has gone three games without a point after a five-game point streak.
Wayne Simmonds, PHI at NJ ($20) - Sure, he's scored five points in his last two games, but is that a blip on the radar or signs of a turnaround? I'm still inclined to believe the former until the big power forward can get it going because he's been disappointing so far, with those five points accounting for over one-third of his total output this season. His ice time is creeping up, so maybe things are looking good, but also keep in mind he's probably facing Cory Schneider, one of the best in the league.
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Burns, SJ at ANH ($32) - OK, yes, he's priced much higher than John Klingberg ($23), who is one of the league's best offensive defenseman, but Burns' production resembles more of a forward's, with a significant number of shots on net. Case in point, Burns has 108 shots this season, compared to Klingberg's 48 and Oliver Ekman-Larsson's 72. At $32, Burns may still seem expensive compared to a winger, but that's the premium based on the position he plays. He could be well worth it.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at NJ ($18) - The first passenger of the "Ghost Bear" train will continue to tell people to get on. Heck, even TSN's Bob McKenzie, who must be only second to Don Cherry in popularity among Canadian hockey pundits, has written glowingly of the Flyers' newest weapon. The Devils could be a tough test, but this kid's dynamite and worth a gamble.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at CLS ($19) - I have nothing against one the future Canadian Olympian, but last year's Calder Trophy winner has seen his production fall ever so slightly this season. He's still the best option on the Panthers, but with the Jackets finally resembling a team under John Tortorella and Sergei Bobrovsky turning it around, it'll be tough for Ekblad to score.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. ANH ($19) - Like Aaron Ekblad, Vlasic is solid, but doesn't quite put up as many points as you'd like. On a night where Rasmus Ristolainen, Zdeno Chara and a couple other Ducks defensemen who can be had for a cheaper price, Vlasic doesn't present a good value play. Mark Streit ($16) was seen skating Thursday, but his status remains uncertain and it's better to shy away until he gets into a groove even though the price may be tempting.
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