This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Avalanche are facing the Penguins, which could be a Stanley Cup Finals preview. The Senators are playing the Red Wings, a game you'll want to shield your eyes from. Oh, and the Hurricanes and Coyotes are also squaring off. Hey, in theory, they could face off in the Finals. Anyway, those are the three games Friday, and here are my daily fantasy hockey recommendations.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, CAR vs. ARI ($26): Mrazek's defense makes things easy for him, as the Hurricanes only allow 26.4 shots on net per game at home. The Coyotes have definitely improved offensively since Taylor Hall joined the team, but they are still on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. It could be a light night of work for the Czech netminder.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Tristan Jarry, PIT at COL ($39): Jarry has been perhaps the best goalie in the NHL with his 2.04 GAA and .934 save percentage. However, this is a tough matchup. The Avalanche have averaged 3.90 goals and 36.0 shots on net per contest, and that's with a few of their elite offensive players - all now healthy - out of the lineup for significant stretches.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. OTT ($21): On the one hand, we have two of the three worst defensive teams in the NHL by GAA. On the other hand, there's not much offensive talent on either team. At least Larkin has a four-game point streak going. As for the Senators, they have struggled with a 3.87 road GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Nazem Kadri, COL vs. PIT ($17): Yes, I think you should avoid Tristan Jarry, but he is still enjoying a great campaign. As a team, the Avalanche represent a potent offense, but Kadri is maybe a step down for the elite talents like Nathan MacKinnon. And since returning from injury, Kadri has only registered one power-play point over 14 games.
WING
Anthony Duclair, OTT at DET ($19): Duclair already has hit a career-high with 21 goals in 42 games, but he's also averaged over two more minutes of ice time per contest. The Sens are definitely providing Duclair a chance to maintain a significant role. As for the Red Wings, they own a league-high 3.80 GAA along with a bottom-five penalty kill.
Tyler Bertuzzi, DET vs. OTT ($16): Duclair is representing the Senators in the All-Star Game, and Bertuzzi will be Detroit's rep. He leads the Red Wings with 32 points while averaging 3:11 per contest on the power play. As previously noted, the Senators have produced a 3.87 GAA in away games.
WINGS TO AVOID
Taylor Hall, ARI at CAR ($25): Since joining the Coyotes, Hall has notched eight points in 11 appearances. However, the Coyotes are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. And the Hurricanes have only allowed 26.4 shots on net per contest at home, along with a top-10 penalty kill.
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR vs. ARI ($23): Teravainen is racking up assists, but he only has tallied eight goals thanks in part to a 6.6 shooting percentage. Though the Coyotes are on the second night of a back-to-back, Antti Raanta is expected back for this game with his 2.66 GAA and .921 save percentage. Also, 17 of Teravainen's points have come with the extra man, and the Coyotes maintain a top-five penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Thomas Chabot, OTT at DET ($17): Chabot has logged a ton of minutes, averaging 26:26 - including 3:29 with the extra man. While the defenseman's shooting percentage has dropped to 3.4, he's staying active offensively with 36 shots on net across 11 games. Facing a Red Wings' team with a 3.80 GAA, maybe Chabot's shooting percentage could be on the rise.
Filip Hronek, DET vs. OTT ($16): Hronek is a name you may not know and that's probably because he's a second-year defenseman playing for an awful side, but he has recorded eight goals and 15 assists in 42 games. He's also produced nine points over his last 12 contests. As mentioned, the Senators come in with a 3.87. And since returning from injury, Craig Anderson has struggled to a 4.06 GAA and .885 save percentage in five appearances.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at CAR ($18): Last year, Ekman-Larsson accumulated 19 power-play points. This season, he's only managed five. The Hurricanes have a 2.86 home GAA and have only given up 26.4 shots on net per contest. And remember the Coyotes are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
Ryan Graves, COL vs. PIT ($18): Graves plays on Colorado's top pairing with Cale Makar. But unlike Makar, he doesn't play on the power play. He also has cooled off offensively, with zero points during his last eight matchups. So with Tristan Jarry looming in net, I don't expect Graves to get back on the scoresheet Friday.
