This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL trade deadline has passed, which means you can stop worrying about a player you had in mind for your daily fantasy lineup getting dealt. With the deadline out of the way, the NHL has 10 games on the schedule Thursday, and here are some of the best players to target and avoid…
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN vs. VAN ($35): The Sharks have only allowed 2.34 goals per game, while the Canucks have only scored 2.27. Additionally, San Jose has given up a mere 27.6 shots on goal per contest, and Vancouver has managed a paltry 27.7 shots on goal per game. Add the fact the Canucks are 8-19-3 on the road, and Jones seems like a strong bet to pick up a win.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at CLM ($35): Over his last 10 games, Dubnyk has a 2.72 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Those aren't terrible numbers by any means, but they aren't on par with the stellar stats Dubnyk had been putting up all season. For a goalie that has great numbers, Dubnyk has also been pretty busy, as the Wild have allowed 31.1 shots on goal per game, which is tied for ninth most in the NHL. Columbus has scored an impressive 3.23 goals per game, and both the Jackets and Wild have allowed an average of 2.38. These are two teams having excellent seasons, so it won't be an easy game for Dubnyk, especially on the road. As such, with so many goalies to choose from, you may want to avoid spending this much on Dubnyk just to be on the safe side.
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CENTER
Aleksander Barkov, FLA at PHI ($20): Since Barkov returned to action after an extensive absence, he's notched 11 points and 27 shots on goal in 11 games. He's started 36.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, averaging 3:01 per game with the extra man. The Flyers have allowed 2.95 goals per game, and their goalies have a collective save percentage of .896.
CENTER TO AVOID
Auston Matthews, TOR at LOS ($28): Matthews has gotten a ton of love as a rookie, and he's earned every little bit of it. He's having a stellar season. You know who else is having a stellar season? The Kings' defense. Los Angeles has allowed an average of 2.46 goals per game, despite the fact Jonathan Quick (groin) had missed almost the entire season. They owe that in part due to the fact they've allowed a league-low 26.0 shots on goal per game, and their penalty kill ranks fifth. Matthews is the most expensive center Thursday, and with so many options out there, that's a lot of money to spend given the difficulty of the matchup — regardless of how well he's fared. You can get great players — and better values — in more favorable matchups while saving cash if you look elsewhere.
WING
Mike Hoffman, OTT vs. COL ($22): Hoffman has gotten right back to business after missing two games with an injury. In his two games since, he's notched two points and eight shots on goal. Overall, he's scored 19 goals on 170 shots on goal in 54 games, and he's tallied 18 power-play points to boot. While the Avalanche didn't tear themselves down at the trade deadline, they've allowed a league-worst 3.31 goals per game, and their penalty kill ranks 24th in the NHL. Colorado has also allowed 32.3 shots on net per contest, so Hoffman should be able to remain productive at putting the puck on net. In his last 13 games, he's tallied a whopping 46 shots on goal.
Radim Vrbata, ARI at BUF ($17): Vrbata didn't get traded, which means he can continue to fly under the radar and deliver solid fantasy value. He's currently on a 10-game (!) point streak and has fired 30 shots on goal during that span. Buffalo has allowed the most shots on goal in the league (34.1), and the Sabres' penalty kill is 29th in the NHL. On top of everything else he brings to the table, Vrbata has 14 power-play points and has averaged 2:55 per game with the extra man.
WINGS TO AVOID
Taylor Hall, NJD at WAS ($24): Washington's Braden Holtby has the best GAA in the league (1.95), making him the only qualified goalie allowing fewer than two goals per game. He's earned that GAA with a .929 save percentage, but the Capitals have only allowed 28.0 shots on net per tilt. Hall has been a bit unlucky, but he still only has three goals in his last 17 games. Additionally, 12 of Hall's 41 points have come on the power play, and Washington has the sixth-ranked penalty kill.
Brandon Saad, CLM vs. MIN ($22): Though Dubnyk has not been great recently (as previously noted), he still leads the league with a .932 save percentage. It's perfectly reasonable to feel mildly wary about Dubnyk, but also be just as wary about Saad going up against him. Saad has averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game, which is good, but there are several players who have averaged more, are cheaper, and have better matchups as well. On top of that, Saad only has one goal in his last 12 games, and he only has two power-play points, so he's not going to help you there.
DEFENSEMEN
Nick Leddy, NYI at DAL ($17): Dallas had a February to forget, as they allowed a whopping 3.58 goals per game. What's more, they have the league's worst penalty kill. Leddy has played 3:09 per game with the extra man, and he's tallied 12 power-play points. Plus, Dallas has averaged 59.9 shot attempts per 60 minutes, fourth most in the NHL. Leddy has blocked 81 shots in 60 games, and he could pick up a couple more blocks against the Stars.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. TOR ($15): Muzzin hasn't tallied a ton of points, although he does have eight goals in 63 games, but he's still been offensive involved. He's notched 142 shots on goal, and he's started 35.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. The Maple Leafs have allowed 32.6 shots on goal per game, third most in the league, and they've given up 2.87 goals per contests. Toronto has also averaged 61.2 shot attempts per 60 minutes, which is second most in the NHL and increases Muzzin's chances of blocking some shots.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Ryan Suter, MIN at CLM ($21): Suter is considered day-to-day at the moment, so that's reason enough to be concerned. On top of that, he has three points in his last 15 games, and has only managed 25 shots on net in that time. Columbus' Sergei Bobrovsky has an impressive 2.18 GAA and a .926 save percentage, so it won't be an easy matchup for Suter even if he takes the ice. With so many questions and obstacles, it's hard to justify paying this price for Suter.
Erik Johnson, COL at OTT ($19): Johnson has finally returned from injury, but the team around him hasn't gotten any better. While the rearguard has only played in 25 games, the fact he's scored just one goal is still concerning. Meanwhile, since making his own return, Ottawa's Craig Anderson has a 1.84 GAA and a .947 save percentage. Additionally, Ottawa's penalty kill ranks 11th in the league, so Johnson (and Colorado's 29th-ranked power play) aren't likely to find much luck Thursday.
