This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's eight-game NHL slate promises to be an entertaining one, as a 2014 Stanley Cup Finals rematch between the Rangers and Kings highlights an intriguing group of games. The last-place Maple Leafs have served as fantasy fodder all season long, and that shouldn't change with the Panthers in town. Building a winning lineup takes more than knowing one good matchup, though, which is why the players below have been chosen as the ones in the best position to deliver you a St. Patrick's Day DFS victory.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. NYI ($40) - Rinne's recent form has been reminiscent of his 2015 Vezina trophy finalist campaign, as he has picked up seven wins in his last nine games. The Islanders may seem like a daunting matchup, but they've actually been scuffling on the road lately, dropping three straight contests away from the Barclays Center. Roll out Rinne with confidence, as he has a great shot of living up to or surpassing expectations, even at his $40 price.
Goalie to Avoid:
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at LAK ($35) - Lundqvist has struggled against the West this season to the tune of a 2.56 GAA. Add that information to his inferior road split and the fact that opposing goaltender Jonathan Quick owns a 7-2-1 record and 1.78 GAA in his last eight spots, and Thursday becomes one of the rare nights in which Lundqvist doesn't look like an appealing option.
CENTER
Derick Brassard, NYR at LA ($18) - Brassard tends to score in bunches, and he's riding a hot streak right now with points in four consecutive games and goals in three straight. The Kings are surprisingly below average on the penalty kill, so look for Brassard to capitalize on their ineptitude in that department after registering a point with the man advantage in each of his last four appearances.
Center to Avoid:
Darren Helm, DET at CLS ($19) - Helm's two-goal game Saturday and favorable matchup have left the fourth-liner grossly overpriced. If you insist on exploiting the Blue Jackets, teammate Henrik Zetterberg is a more proven offensive player in a larger role playing the same position for the same price.
WINGS
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at TOR ($22) - Huberdeau has two goals and six assists during his five-game point streak, and that run of production is unlikely to come to an end with the cellar-dwelling Maple Leafs next on the docket. The 22-year-old winger is brimming with confidence offensively at the moment, and should be utilized until that changes.
Zach Parise, MIN at NJ ($21) - The ex-Devil has found success against his former employers in the past, registering four points in four career meetings with New Jersey. While he has only two points in his last four games, Parise has contributed in other ways by taking 11 shots and blocking seven more over that span. He won't be held down offensively for much longer, and it's hard to think of a better jumping-off point for a hot streak than a matchup with the team that selected Parise 17th overall back in 2003.
Wings to Avoid:
Rick Nash, NYR at LA ($24) - Nash has been ineffective in two games since returning from a 20-game layoff, with no goals or assists and a minus-1 rating. He still doesn't have his timing back, yet is priced highly at $24 nonetheless. Besides, even if he was at full strength, Nash tends to disappear against playoff-caliber teams anyway.
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. CAR ($28) - Hornqvist has cooled down dramatically following a five-game point streak, with just one goal and one assist in his last five games. His high price doesn't reflect that decline in form, which is why the Swedish winger should be avoided Thursday.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SJ at ARI ($34) - Burns' production from the blueline recently is even putting elite forwards to shame, as he has a ridiculous six goals and seven assists in his last eight games. If other teams couldn't contain him, the 28th-ranked Coyotes defense certainly doesn't seem likely to limit the offensive-minded blueliner Thursday. He's expensive, but Burns is by far the highest-upside skater in action.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at TOR ($16) - A big part of Ekblad's appeal stems from his plus-14 rating, and the youngster has a strong chance of improving on that mark against the putrid Maple Leafs. He has also found his offensive touch again lately, with three goals and two assists in his last nine games following a six-game pointless drought in February. The talented blueliner should provide excellent bang for the buck at his reasonable $16.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Kris Russell, TB at DAL ($20) - Russell's defense-first approach is a good fit to balance out the Stars roster, but it doesn't make him an appealing fantasy option. With just 19 points in 58 games, the former Flame lacks the flare and upside that distinguish strong blueline options priced in the $20s.
