This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Amid many busy days for the NHL heading into the Christmas break comes Wednesday, with a mere two games on the docket. It's a light schedule, but if you want to pick a Yahoo! NHL DFS lineup anyway, we're here for you.GOALIE
Cam Talbot, EDM at ARI ($34): Independent of Talbot's play this season, this is a pretty obvious choice. The Coyotes are 30th in goals per game, 28th in goals allowed, 27th on the power play and 23rd on the penalty kill. Indeed, Arizona is one of the league's worst teams, and the Oilers are decidedly better. Talbot has a very strong chance of picking up a win.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Braden Holtby, WAS at PHI ($35): Holtby is having a fine season (2.08 GAA, .925 save percentage), so this isn't necessarily about him. The Flyers have been one of the league's best teams recently, and they're 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. Philly is also fifth in goals scored, fifth in power-play percentage, and sixth in shots per game. You can't feel super confident that Holtby is going to pick up a road win, and since he's the most expensive goalie Monday, that should give you pause.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at ARI ($19): We're already mentioned the Coyotes' many struggles, but on top of all that, they're giving up a staggering 35.4 shots per game. Meanwhile, Draisaitl is having an impressive season, notching 30 points in 34 games. Thirteen of them have come on the power play, which is promising against Arizona's terrible penalty kill. Considering his potential in this matchup, Draisaitl is well worth the price.
CENTER TO AVOID
Claude Giroux, PHI vs. WAS ($25): While there was enough reason to justify concern about going with Holtby as your goalie, the fact remains that he does have a 2.08 GAA and a 925 save percentage. The Capitals also have the seventh-ranked penalty kill, while Giroux has done a lot of his damage on the power play, netting 15 of his 30 points with the extra man. He's having a fine season, but he's also the second-most-expensive center, and Philly has the toughest matchup on the slate.
WING
Milan Lucic, EDM at ARI ($19): Nothing about the Coyotes has changed since the Draisaitl entry. Lucic is another big power-play performer, notching 11 points with the extra man. He has exactly two shots on goal in each of his last five games, but the tough guy has tallied 83 in all. With so few teams in action, you want to take as much an advantage as you can of this matchup.
Radim Vrbata, ARI vs. EDM ($15): If you want to expand your portfolio beyond the Oilers, Vrbata is a nice option as well. His matchup is pretty good, as Talbot has a 2.52 GAA and Edmonton is giving up 30.1 shots per game. It's been a little while since Vrbata's scored a goal, but he has three assists in his last five games, and he's notched 99 shots on net this year. If anybody is going to come through for the Coyotes, it's him (well, or Oliver Ekman-Larsson).
WINGS TO AVOID
Wayne Simmonds, PHI vs. WAS ($23): Simmonds has 16 goals, but his 18.2 shooting percentage is by far the best of his career. He should be in for some regression, and the Capitals could play a part in that. They only give up 28.1 shots per game, and their penalty kill could be problematic for Simmonds, who's produced almost half of his 29 points on the power play. At this high price point, he's a gamble.
Jakub Vrana, WAS at PHI ($15): The 20-year-old rookie has some potential, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. He has three points in nine games, although two of those have come on the power play. However, considering the Flyers are 11th on the penalty kill, it won't be easy for Vrana with the extra man. If he was cheaper, he might be worth a shot, but considering he will cost you the same as Vrbata, there are clearly better options at a similar price.
DEFENSEMEN
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at ARI ($15): Oh look, another Oiler! This isn't all about the matchup, though, as Klefbom has offered occasional value with five goals on 82 shots this year. He averages 21:32 of ice time, including 2:36 on the power play, where he has four points. Klefbom is putting up 5.7 fantasy points per game on average, and he should be able to at least match that (if not surpass it) against the Coyotes.
Anthony DeAngelo, ARI vs. EDM ($14): DeAngelo was a healthy scratch in Arizona's last game, which may make him an odd choice for this article. However, it was also an odd choice to scratch a guy who's been so productive – he's averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game. Admittedly, that doesn't mean much to the Coyotes, but surely his nine points (six on the power play), 28 shots on goal, and 26 blocks in 16 games do. DeAngelo is averaging 19:18 a game, which means that if he does play, and he likely will, he's a good value at this price.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
John Carlson, WAS at PHI ($20): Carlson missed practice Tuesday with an illness, so that alone is a concern. On top of that, he only has one goal, and he's only blocked 38 shots. Philly takes a lot of shots, but Carlson may not necessarily be the guy to get in front of them. The Flyers have also been better in December (2.10 goals allowed per game), making this less favorable of a matchup that it may appear. Carlson is pricey, and it will be hard for him to give you bang for your buck.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. WAS ($20): Carlson and Gostisbehere are tied for the highest price among expensive defensemen Wednesday, but neither looks like a great value. The Ghost Bear hasn't quite lived up to his rookie season, especially lately – he hasn't taken more than two shots on goal in any of his last 11 games. He's only got four goals overall, and the Capitals are a tough matchup for a guy who has picked up more than half his points on the power play.
