This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
February is here, but it's not beginning with a bang. There are only three games one day after a whopping 14. Nevertheless, you can still play daily fantasy despite the relative paucity of games. Here are some players to target and avoid for Wednesday...
GOALIE
Jeff Zatkoff, LOS vs. COL ($34): Okay, so Zatkoff has been bad this season in limited action. However, before this season he's never had a worse save percentage than .912. Plus, the Kings team in front of him has given up the fewest shots on goal per game. Meanwhile, the Avalanche have only scored a mere 2.02 goals per game, the worst average in the league. They also have given up the most goals, which increases Zatkoff's chances of picking up a win. It's understandable if you feel wary about starting Zatkoff, but you'll have to really spend big to get either Braden Holtby ($39) or Devan Dubnyk ($41). It's a roll of the dice, but if Zatkoff is ever going to win a game, it's this one. And, of course, if Peter Budaj ends up getting the start, he's a safer proposition.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Tuukka Rask, BOS at WAS ($30): Rask is slated to start on back-to-back nights, which isn't surprising given that his backup is Anton Khudobin (.885 save percentage). However, recently Rask hasn't necessarily been much better than that. In his nine appearances leading up to the All-Star break, he posted a 3.05 GAA and a .869 save percentage. It's also not an easy matchup, as the Capitals have scored 3.24 goals per game.
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CENTER
Mikael Granlund, MIN at CGY ($17): Granlund had a January to remember, as he notched 14 points in 13 games. That's partially why he's averaging a robust 8.0 fantasy points per game. The Flames had a rough go of it to kick off 2017, as their goalies posted a .887 save percentage in January. Granlund also has 12 power-play points, and Calgary ranks 18th in penalty-kill percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at WAS ($22): Bergeron's luck started to turn around a bit before the All-Star break, but it will take quite a bit of luck for him to put up big fantasy numbers against the Capitals. Holtby didn't play Tuesday, which means he's fresh for Wednesday. Holtby ranks in the top five in both GAA (1.96) and save percentage (.930), and the Capitals have also only allowed 28.2 shots on goal per game.
WING
Jason Zucker, MIN at CGY ($18): Zucker is actually averaging more fantasy points per game (7.1) than any other Wild winger. He's tallied 35 points in 49 contests, and his shot totals have increased recently. In his last nine games, he's notched 25 shots on net. Projected Calgary starter Chad Johnson has put up a 3.39 GAA and a .878 save percentage over his last 12 appearances.
Tanner Pearson, LOS vs. COL ($15): The Kings don't have a lot of enticing options on the wing, but at least there's Pearson. The Avalanche have allowed a league-worst 3.37 goals per game, and they've also given up 32.3 shots on net per contest. Pearson has tallied 15 goals on 106 shots in 48 games, and this is definitely a great matchup for him to take advantage of.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brad Marchand, BOS at WAS ($25): This isn't so much about Marchand, who is having a fine season. It's about the Capitals, who have the best GAA in the league, led by the aforementioned Holtby who's having a great season. Additionally, Washington has the fourth best penalty kill, and at this price point, it will be hard for Marchand to provide value and build on his 13 power-play points.
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. MIN ($22): Gaudreau only has one goal in his last 12 games, which has been a disappointing stretch for the usually reliable winger. Unfortunately, it's not likely he's going to turn it around Wednesday, as Dubnyk leads the league in both GAA (1.88) and save percentage (.936), making this about as bad a matchup as any.
DEFENSEMEN
Jared Spurgeon, MIN at CGY ($20): Spurgeon has averaged a whopping 24:07 per game, which has given him plenty of opportunities to rack up the fantasy points. He's averaged an impressive 7.3 fantasy points per game, the second highest average of any blueliner playing Wednesday. In addition to his offensive prowess, Spurgeon has blocked 90 shots, so he provides defensive value, as well.
Alec Martinez, LOS vs. COL ($16): As noted earlier, the Avalanche have given up the most goal per game on average in the entire league. That certainly is a point in Martinez's favor. Martinez has also averaged 2:13 per game with the extra man, having notched seven points in that time. Colorado's penalty kill ranks 25th, so that's another reason to be encouraged about this matchup.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. MIN ($20): Heading into the All-Star break, Giordano was held pointless in seven out of eight games. It's unlikely that will change, given Minnesota's defensive prowess. In addition to Dubnyk's excellent goaltending, the Wild rank fifth on the penalty kill. Twelve of Giordano's 22 points have come on the power play, so that doesn't bode well for him.
Torey Krug, BOS at WAS ($18): After scoring three goals in three games, Krug has been held without a goal in his last six. That leaves him with a mere four goals on the season. As mentioned previously, Washington's penalty kill ranks fourth, and most of Krug's value comes while up a man. It's a difficult matchup -- especially with Holtby in net.
