This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We're getting close to the halfway point of the NHL season. And it's almost Christmas. For now, it's Friday, and there are five games on the slate. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. DAL ($29): Bobrovsky has recently turned things around for the Panthers by posting a sterling 1.69 GAA and .953 save percentage over his last six starts. All those games have been at home and so is this one, while the Stars are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Mikko Koskinen, EDM vs. PIT ($29): Koskinen has put up solid numbers this year, as the 2.62 GAA and .919 save percentage will prove. However, even at home, this is shaping up to be a tough matchup. The Penguins have scored 3.29 goals per game and have directed 33.7 shots on net per contest, which ranks them top-five in the NHL.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. TOR ($26): Since returning from injury, Zibanejad has been as hot as any player in the league by notching seven goals and five assists over his last 12 games. The Maple Leafs have struggled with a 3.32 road GAA while giving up an average of 33.2 shots on net in those contests.
CENTER TO AVOID
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. PIT ($35): I know it may seem like heresy, even though McDavid only has one goal in his last nine games. The price is high, and the superstar may be primed to run into Tristan Jarry. Jarry comes in with a 1.85 GAA and .940 save percentage, both of which are tops in the NHL.
WING
Jakub Vrana, WAS at NJD ($21): With a spot on Washington's second line alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, Vrana is enjoying a breakout campaign. He's recorded 29 points in 35 games, including six goals and six assists over his last 13 outings. The Devils, as you may know, are having a bit of a rough season. And that includes their 3.39 GAA, third-highest in the league.
William Nylander, TOR at NYR ($19): Nylander has started 62.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, tied for most on the Maple Leafs. He's also put 92 shots on net in 35 games. The Rangers maintain a 3.15 GAA, largely because they've allowed 35.0 shots on net per contest.
WINGS TO AVOID
Mike Hoffman, FLA vs. DAL ($20): The Stars are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, but this still represents a tough matchup. Dallas sits in the top-five in both GAA and penalty kill, and they saved Ben Bishop for this one. The same Ben Bishop with a 2.07 GAA and .933 save percentage. 10 of Hoffman's 23 points have come with the extra man, so this could be an extra difficult night.
Jamie Benn, DAL at FLA ($17): Benn has registered at least 26 goals in each of his last six seasons, but he may not even get to 20 this year. And being on the road for the second game of a back-to-back won't help matters. You know what also won't help? The fact Sergei Bobrovsky has a 1.69 GAA and .953 save percentage in his last six starts.
DEFENSE
Tyson Barrie, TOR at NYR ($20): The points may not be there as expected with Barrie and his power-play time has been cut in half compared to last year while with the Avalanche. However, he's fired 91 shots on goal in 35 games, so at least he's staying active, and his 3.3 shooting percentage marks his lowest since he became an NHL regular. Since the Rangers allow 35.0 shots on net per contest, Barrie should have a chance to get involved.
Dmitry Orlov, WAS at NJD ($14): Whenever I want to try and save you money on John Carlson, I like to throw Orlov out there as the generic-brand version of the likely Norris winner. This has gotten easier recently, as the Russian defenseman has tallied six points across his last nine games. As previously noted, the Devils own a 3.39 GAA, which provides another reason to take a shot on Orlov.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. PIT ($20): Klefbom has put 96 shots on net in 37 games, but the Penguins have only given up 29.4 shots on goal per contest. When those shots have been directed at Tristan Jarry, they have mostly been nothing to worry about, as he's compiled a 1.85 GAA and .940 save percentage. This doesn't feel like a night for going with Klefbom in your lineup.
Sami Vatanen, NJD vs. WAS ($17): It feels weird nobody needs to tell you not to go with P.K. Subban at this point, as his move to New Jersey has been one of the biggest disappointment in the league this season. You might find yourself interested in Vatanen, especially because he just scored a goal in his last game and has accumulated six power-play points. But the Capitals possess a top-five penalty kill and Braden Holtby enters with a .922 save percentage over his last 15 games, so you should probably rethink that decision.
