This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
You may be too busy ringing in the new year for daily fantasy this weekend, but you can get in on the action Friday before you live it up Saturday. There are only four games, so it's not the widest collection of options to choose from. Still, some are better (or worse) than others, and we're here to help you figure it out.GOALIE
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. ANA ($25): The Canucks have not had a great season, but there's still reason to be intrigued by Miller. Vancouver is 11-6-2 at home, and Anaheim is 7-8-5 on the road. Plus, the Ducks had to play Thursday, so they're on the second night of a back-to-back set. That could mean Jonathan Bernier, who has a .897 save percentage, gets the start in net. Miller is the cheapest goalie Friday, and if he picks up a win, he'll provide great value to your fantasy lineup.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Steve Mason, PHI at SAN ($33): The Sharks have won three in a row, and they're 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. A win is such an important part of any goalie's success in daily fantasy, and Mason's chances don't seem great. Additionally, while Mason has been better in the last few weeks, he has a 5.39 GAA over his last two contests.
CENTER
Logan Couture, SAN vs. PHI ($21): Despite their recent uptick in play, the Flyers are still allowing three goals per game on the season. Couture is having a good season, with 23 points and 98 shots in goal in 35 games. He's averaging 7.2 fantasy points per game, and he's a reliable, proven commodity on a day with sparse options.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jonathan Toews, CHI at CAR ($21): Toews is having something of a disappointing season, as he's averaging only 5.7 fantasy points per game. He has 16 points in all, six of them on the power play. Carolina has the league's best penalty kill, and the 'Canes only give up 27.5 shots on goal per game. On top of that, the Blackhawks have to play on back-to-back nights – another mark against Toews on Friday.
WING
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. NAS ($20): The Predators will be playing on back-to-back nights, which could mean Juuse Saros in net for Nashville. While he's been quite good when he's played, he's still a 21-year-old rookie who has a mere six NHL games under his belt. Schwartz is playing 19:16 a night as the Blues' top left wing, and he's notched 12 goals this season.
Daniel Sedin, VAN vs. ANA ($18): As previously mentioned, with the Ducks playing on back-to-back nights, Bernier (3.07 GAA, .897 save percentage) could be in net for Anaheim. Sedin has put 94 shots on goal in 36 games, and he's got seven power-play points. The Ducks rank 20th on the penalty kill, which bodes well for Sedin even though he's missed the scoresheet in three straight contests.
WINGS TO AVOID
Wayne Simmonds, PHI at SAN ($23): The Sharks are fourth in goals allowed (2.2) and second in shots allowed (26.5), so Simmonds has a tough matchup in this one. Simmonds is also carrying a 17.3 shooting percentage, the highest of his career by a couple percentage points. He's already starting to cool down a bit, netting only two goals in his last nine games.
James Neal, NAS at STL ($20): While the Blues haven't gotten reliable goaltending this season, they've only given up 27.8 shots on goal per game, and they rank second on the penalty kill. Almost all of Neal's value has come from scoring goals, and if the Blues tamp down his shots, his odds of finding twine go down. Even with only a few teams in action, you can still find better options.
DEFENSEMEN
Cam Fowler, ANA at VAN ($21): Miller may have been chosen as the goalie to highlight, but that was because of his low price point and his chances of winning. The fact remains that the Canucks are only 27th in goals allowed and 21st in penalty-kill percentage. Fowler, as per usual, has excelled with the extra man, notching 11 power-play points while averaging 3:26 per night. Vancouver's chances of winning may be good, but that doesn't mean the Canucks will completely shut down Fowler.
Jaccob Slavin, CAR vs. CHI ($14): With Justin Faulk injured, Slavin is now the top defenseman for the Hurricanes. He plays 23:12 per game, leading to a modest 12 points (11 assists) in 34 games. Slavin hasn't played a ton of power-play minutes, so he may not get much of a chance against Chicago's 29th-ranked penalty kill, but he's occasionally seen big man-advantage time lately. Slavin has also blocked 74 shots, which should come in handy against Chicago's offense.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Duncan Keith, CHI at CAR ($22): Keith has been unlucky to only get one goal this season, but he still has 25 points, including seven on the power play. He's averaging 3:37 with the extra man, but you can't count on him against Carolina's top-ranked penalty kill. Keith is the third-most-expensive defenseman Friday, so it will take a lot for him to return good value, especially since you can't rely on him on the power play.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at SAN ($20): Gostisbehere is averaging 5.5 fantasy points per game, and you won't find a defenseman averaging fewer until you get down to Matt Irwin (5.3) who'll cost you $16. As good as last year was, the Ghost Bear has zero goals in his last 14 games, and he only has only point in his last six. Given how good the Sharks have been at goal prevention, it seems unlikely that Friday will be the night he turns it around.
