This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Friday has seven games on the schedule with the marquee matchup a divisional showdown between the Blackhawks and Jets. Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien face their former team for the umpteenth time, with the pair combining for 21 points in 13 games. Scoring shouldn't be a problem for either team, especially for the Blackhawks when they deploy Patrick Kane, so defense and goaltending likely will be the deciding factors. High-scoring games are a boon to fantasy players, of course, and two teams have enough depth to provide some bargain picks.
The Kings-Penguins game might be exciting if both teams are at the top of their games, but one certainly isn't. While Sidney Crosby has picked up the scoring, the Phil Kessel experiment remains a work in progress, and it's fair to say that it has been a disappointment. But the Kings have one of their own as well in Marian Gaborik, and it should be interesting to see which high-speed winger has the better game. A couple years ago, this might've been a potential Stanley Cup preview, but as it stands it's a litmus test for the two teams trying to claw back to elite status. This is a game where I can see Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter really shutting down Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
One other thing to note is that three of the league's best duos -- that's Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn in Dallas, Kane and Jonathan Toews in Chicago and Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in Anaheim -- are playing, which should make player selections a little easier. It may not be prudent to put all your eggs in one basket, but the Stars and Ducks have very favorable matchups that should entice fantasy players to stack up.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. CAR ($35) - There's a chance that Frederik Andersen starts, but regardless of whoever gets the nod from Bruce Boudreau, this is a juicy matchup for the Ducks. Gibson should start with two shutouts in his last four games, but even if he doesn't stand on his head, the Ducks should outscore the Hurricanes, who have lost four of their past six.
Goalie to Avoid:
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at EDM ($42) - Normally, I would say Lundqvist is a must-pick no matter the opponent, but with Cory Schneider, Jonathan Quick, Marc-Andre Fleury and potentially Gibson also in action, King Henrik isn't the only elite 'tender in play. The Alberta teams have been on fire recently, while the Rangers are coming off a loss against Vancouver when the team fell apart in the third period due to undisciplined play.
CENTER
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. PHI ($32) - He's the most expensive center Friday, but the tier below him, which includes big names such as Jeff Carter, Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux and Sidney Crosby, just doesn't look as enticing. The Flyers have allowed four goals in each of their last two games entering Thursday's tough matchup against St. Louis, and the Stars offense is way, way above average. Jason Spezza is another option on Dallas.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. CAR ($22) - With a point in three of his last four games and nine assists in his last seven games, the big playmaker is finally getting back on track. After a very slow and concerning start, the Ducks are starting to find their groove. This might be the cheapest price Getzlaf can be had before he re-establishes himself near the top of the food chain.
Center to Avoid:
Mark Scheifele, WPG at CHI ($22) -Corey Crawford is the confirmed starter for the Blackhawks, which will make scoring a little more difficult for the Jets. Like most young players, Scheifele scores only in spurts; over his last nine games he's had two three-point games, but also failed to register a point in five of those games. When things are going well offensively for the Jets, Scheifele is in the middle of the action, but the Blackhawks and Crawford had allowed just two goals in two games entering Thursday, one of which was a 3-1 over Winnipeg on Dec. 6.
WING
Corey Perry, ANA vs. CAR ($24) - If you pick Ryan Getzlaf, why not get the other half of the duo? Perry has three goals in his last four games as the Ducks' dynamic duo begin to show signs of turning it around. In fact, after scoring just three points in 10 games in October, Perry has 14 points in 15 games in November and two points in three games in December. The Hurricanes have allowed at least three goals in five of their last six games.
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. WPG ($33) - Kane was the league's leading scorer entering Thursday night with a 22-game point streak. It's still not even halfway to Wayne Gretzky's record 51-game streak, but it's an incredible feat considering how much harder it is to score in today's game. Either way, everyone should be capitalizing on Kane's streak. He's the closest thing to a guarantee.
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. PHI ($30) - He's the only other winger priced at $30 or more, and he's just a good choice as Kane, if not better, because the Flyers should be the easier opponent. Seguin-Benn and Toews-Kane should be the most commonly picked duos Friday.
Wings to Avoid:
Tyler Toffoli, LA at PIT ($20) - There's a chance Toffoli busts out of his six-game slump, but as much as the Pens have struggled to win consistently this year, none of it can be blamed on Fleury, who has a .926 save percentage and 13 wins. As the Kings embark on a long road trip, there's a chance Darryl Sutter may opt to spread the ice time around a little more.
Rick Nash, NYR at EDM ($24) - The big power forward has gone six games without a goal after scoring a goal in four straight before that, and he also has just three shots on goal in his last three games. The Rangers have uncharacteristically lost six of their last eight games, and that slide could continue against the Oilers. Although Nash is still one of the most feared players when he's rolling down the ice along the boards with his size and strength, he's no longer really considered one of the game's best point producers.
DEFENSE
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG at CHI ($26) - The last time Big Buff played against his former team, he had his five-game point streak snapped. That probably didn't make him too happy, and when he's not happy, watch out. Byfuglien is the most expensive defenseman available Friday but not much more than Drew Doughty ($23), Ryan McDonagh ($22) and Ryan Suter ($22), all of whom are less likely to score. Only Brent Burns, who is routinely the most expensive defenseman due to his offensive contributions, has more shots on goal than Byfuglien.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. PHI ($21) - If he has a strong second half and then starts next season with a bang, there would be absolutely no doubt that Klingberg is among the league's elite scoring defenseman. As it stands, he's just on the cusp, and at this price he's considered a real bargain. The Flyers defense and goaltending are unlikely to keep the Stars' offense at bay and will try to hold down the fort and hope for the best.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at EDM ($22) - Other than a three-point effort against Ottawa, McDonagh has been relatively quiet, held without a point in five of his last six games. The Blueshirts captain routinely scores between 30 and 40 points each year while playing solid defense, and with 13 points in 29 games he's on pace for just that. He was hot in November with nine points in 14 games but hasn't been quite as consistent in December.
Kris Letang, PIT vs. LA ($20) - Letang hasn't scored since Oct. 13 and with just 14 points on the season he's merely coasting by name reputation this season. Not all of his scoring woes should be pinned on him since the entire team is struggling, recently losing a big piece in Pascal Dupuis (blood clots). Friday he faces a stalwart defense. The Pens have played Western Conference teams in seven of their last eight games (three of which were losses), and Letang has just six assists to show for it.
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