Yahoo DFS Hockey: Thursday Picks

The baseball season is over, with the Chicago Cubs having won their first World Series in over a century. However, that doesn't mean the sporting world goes on hiatus. There are 12 NHL games Thursday, which means there are a lot of players to choose from. Here are some to target, and some to avoid.

GOALIE

Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT at LOS ($34): With Matt Murray returning to action Wednesday, Fleury's getting the start Thursday against the Kings. That means Fleury is starting against a team that is likely to start Peter Budaj in net and is averaging 1.9 goals per game. The Penguins will be on the second night of a back-to-back but Fleury won't be, and he's still got a really good chance of getting a win.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Jake Allen, STL at DAL ($36): Dallas is dealing with injuries, and that's put a bit of a damper on their offense. However, Allen only has a .910 save percentage this season, and last year was the only instance where he's been an above average goalie. If Allen were priced lower, he might be worth it, but only two goalies are more expensive than Allen on Thursday. That's too steep a price to pay.

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William Nylander, TOR at BUF ($21): Don't let the glow emanating from Auston Matthews completely obscure some of his other talented teammates. Nylander has been excellent to start the season. He's notched 11 points, seven of them on the power play. That makes him one of the league's top power-play performers so far. For $21, there's a lot of potential here.

CENTER TO AVOID

Steven Stamkos, TAM vs. BOS ($28): Stamkos has been a busy bee, taking 41 shots on goal – seven of which have bulged the twine. In this game, though, he will have to put the puck past Tuukka Rask, who has a 1.20 GAA and a .961 save percentage so far this year and a Vezina Trophy to his name. Stamkos won't get completely shut down, but it seems unlikely he will justify his price tag.

WING

James Neal, NAS at ARI ($20): Neal only has one goal but he's fired on net 35 times, so that's bound to change. He's also averaging 19:51 in ice time with 3:18 on the power play. The Coyotes have the worst team GAA in the league, so this seems like a great opportunity for Neal to finally kick things into gear.

Patrick Marleau, SAN vs. CGY ($17): The 37-year-old's minutes are down, but he's still playing more than three minutes per game on the power play. He's also taken 28 shots on goal, lighting the lamp three times in the process. Calgary is allowing 3.5 goals per game, and Brian Elliott has a .889 save percentage, making this a nice matchup for the veteran.

WINGS TO AVOID

Blake Wheeler, WPG at WAS ($29): Wheeler is off to a good start to the season but doesn't have a goal in his last seven games. This is more about his opponent, as the Capitals are second in the league in goals against thanks to a certain someone named Braden Holtby between the pipes. Don't be surprised if Wheeler's goalless streak continues.

Daniel Sedin, VAN at OTT ($20): Vancouver has the worst offense in the NHL, even though Sedin is one of the (relative) bright spots. He will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and the 36-year-old doesn't have the same spring in his skates that he used to. Craig Anderson has been excellent in his last three starts, which also is reason to be skeptical about Sedin's potential tonight.

DEFENSEMEN

Johnny Boychuk, NYI vs. PHI ($16): It doesn't matter who is in net for the Flyers, because both of their netminders (Michal Neuvirth and Steve Mason) haven't been good. Boychuk has taken 31 shots on goal and blocked 26. Both of these bode well for a guy going up against a team that's potent on offense but questionable on defense, so he should have plenty of opportunity at both ends of the ice.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI vs. NAS ($22): While Ekman-Larsson isn't cheap, he seems like a nice deal in comparison to the top blueliner (Brent Burns at $34). He has seven points, including five goals, but only two power-play points. That pace should increase considering he had 27 last year and has been averaging more than five minutes per game with the extra man for the second year in a row. All told, few blueliners bring as much offensive upside as Ekman-Larsson.

DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Dustin Byfuglien, WPG at WAS ($23): The premise is the same here as it was for Wheeler. It's nothing against Big Buff, or the season he's having, but he's just got a real tough matchup in the Caps. With so many teams playing Thursday, there are better options readily available.

Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. NJD ($18): Ekblad will, of course, eventually have more than one point. He's taken 29 shots on goal has been playing more than 23 minutes a night so his time will come. However, the Devils have been great at goal prevention this season, which makes it hard to believe Ekblad will do much in this one.