This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday's four-game NHL slate features the 2016 playoff debuts for the Capitals-Flyers, Panthers-Islanders, Sharks-Kings and Stars-Wild series. Washington, Florida, Los Angeles and Dallas worked all regular season to earn home ice in this situation, and now it's time to see if their players can cash in the fruits of their labor. The players below are best positioned to open the postseason on a high note.
GOALIE
Jonathan Quick, LA vs. SJ ($40) - Goaltending is king when it comes to the postseason, which is why the Kings have won a pair of Stanley Cups since 2012. Quick is by far the most proven playoff option Thursday, and it's worth spending a few extra dollars rather than hoping for an underdog or gambling on a less established option.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ at LA ($37) - If you believe Jones and the Sharks can outduel Quick and the Kings on the road then by all means pick him up. That scenario seems unlikely given the teams' recent playoff histories, though, and the clear cap savings of starting most alternatives at the position shouldn't be ignored.
CENTER
Mikko Koivu, MIN at DAL ($13) - Koivu's Wild are underdogs in Dallas, but the Stars don't usually beat opponents with defense or goaltending. The veteran center is in a fruitful offensive position on the first line, and the depleted Wild are going to need him to produce to stay competitive with Dallas' high-octane offense. You won't find another player as likely to make an impact on the scoresheet for just $13.
Center to Avoid:
Colton Sceviour, DAL vs. MIN ($14) - Sceviour wasn't much of a contributor during the regular season, tallying just 23 points in 71 appearances. The fourth-liner won't see many minutes in the playoffs, making him an inferior option to some of the low-priced alternatives who play bigger roles for their respective teams.
WING
Jaromir Jagr, FLA vs. NYI ($21) - Jagr finished the regular season on a hot streak, registering 11 points in his final nine games. The veteran will be chomping at the bit now that he's finally back in the postseason. He's in position to get off to a hot start against a goalie who fared much better at home than on the road in Thomas Greiss. Don't underestimate the Czech winger, as even Father Time has found it exceedingly difficult to slow him.
Justin Williams, WAS vs. PHI ($17) - Williams owns a fabulous postseason resume, with 30 goals, 48 assists and a plus-32 rating in 115 games played. His Capitals will be heavily favored against the Flyers, but don't expect the former Kings forward to take a battle-tested opponent that had to fight its way in lightly. While some of the Capitals might have to shake off a bit of late-season complacency, Williams should fly out of the gate as he has in many a playoff contest.
Wing to Avoid:
Tomas Hertl, SJ at LA ($19) - Hertl hasn't found much success against Los Angeles, totaling just three points in 13 career regular season meetings. Don't expect him to suddenly start scoring against the Kings in the postseason, when they have a reputation for taking their hockey to another level.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL vs. MIN ($27) - Klingberg heads into this contest on the heels of a breakout campaign in which he accompanied a lofty 58 points with 22 power-play points and plus-22 rating. Minnesota's 27th-ranked penalty kill is the worst of any unit that made the postseason, which bodes well for the Swede considering his proficiency with the man advantage. He torched the Wild with three goals and three assists in five regular-season meetings and that success should carry over into this series.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at WAS ($21) - Gostisbehere tallied three assists in three meetings with the Capitals, and the Flyers are going to need major contributions from the rookie if they want to steal home-ice advantage. The Capitals could be vulnerable after playing on cruise control for so long to close out the regular season, so this would be the time to strike. Gostisbehere also heads into this game in good form, as he scored 37.0 total fantasy points in his last three appearances.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Jake Muzzin, LAK vs. SJ ($21) - Muzzin was held to single-digit fantasy points in each of his last 12 appearances, so he's not exactly lighting it up at the moment. This isn't the time to bank on a sudden turnaround from a player who has been exceedingly mediocre lately.
Ryan Suter, MIN at DAL ($23) - Suter is a solid defenseman, but he could be held back by a lack of quality around him. With leading scorer Zach Parise ruled out for at least Games 1 and 2, the Wild will have their work cut out for them against the explosive Stars offense. Suter's plus/minus, and subsequently his fantasy value, could suffer as a result.
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