This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a small player pool with just four games in the NHL on Friday. The Hurricanes are the largest favorites on the docket with Calgary and Vancouver both receiving small chalk on home ice. Florida is also expected to take a road victory in Detroit. Interestingly, the Panthers-Red Wings game is the only contest with an over/under total under 6.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA at DET ($29): The Panthers are the second largest favorite on the docket, and Bobrovsky carries a manageable salary. Additionally, Detroit has scored the second fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league this season to reinforce how soft the matchup is. Obviously, Bobrovsky hasn't been stellar this year with an .884 save percentage and 3.33 GAA for the campaign, but he's posted .913 and 2.34 marks in his five wins. If Chris Driedger ($36) receives the starting nod for the Panthers, he's also in play.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jacob Markstrom, CGY vs. EDM ($33): With two consecutive underwhelming starts (eight goals allowed on just 62 shots), this would typically be a bounce-back opportunity for Markstrom. However, the Oilers bring a potent offense, and there were 10 total goals in the first meeting between the two clubs. Edmonton ranks second in the league in both goals and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, after all. Salary-cap management also
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at VAN ($27): The Canucks have struggled defensively this season with the second most goals and third most high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes, and Schiefele has marked the scoresheet in 14 of 16 games for eight tallies, 14 helpers and a high-end 3.75 points per 60 minutes. The go-to center is also beginning 58.3 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone and averaging a career-high 3:55 of power-play time per game.
CENTER TO AVOID
Elias Pettersson, VAN vs. WPG ($21): While his numbers are respectable of late with a goal and five assists through the past seven games, Pettersson has only reached double-digit fantasy points in three of those contests. Additionally, he hasn't had a multi-point effort through his past 10 outings dating back to Jan. 28. Winnipeg is also deep up the middle, so there don't project to be many soft on-ice matchups for Pettersson -- even with Winnipeg allowing a middle-of-the-pack 2.79 goals per hour this season.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at DET ($22): The 27-year-old winger paces all NHL regulars with 5.16 points per 60 minutes this season to the tune of seven tallies, 13 helpers and nine power-play points through just 14 contests. Huberdeau is often overlooked, and his salary looks short considering the matchup and his dominant production dating back to the 2018-19 campaign. Detroit has allowed 3.11 goals per game and owns a 27th-ranked 73.1 penalty-kill percentage, after all.
Patric Hornqvist, FLA at DET ($20): An affordable stack option alongside linemate Jonathan Huberdeau ($22), Hornqvist has been solid of late with six points -- one goal -- through the past eight games, but he's also registered 25 shots and 36 shot attempts. There's statistical correction ahead of his 4.0 shooting percentage during the noted stretch, and his long-time, power-play prowess should play well against Detroit's noted shorthanded struggles.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrick Kane, CHI at CAR ($32): Carolina plays high-event hockey and ranks middle of the pack in penalty-kill percentage, goals against and high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes, so this is probably a neutral matchup with the Hurricanes' team save percentage also an underwhelming .899 for the campaign. Still, the Hurricanes dominant possession with a 54.8 Corsi for percentage, are 10-3-1 and are unbeaten in regulation on home ice. Kane's position-high salary probably carries extra risk, as a result.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM at CGY ($29): Similarly, Nugent-Hopkins isn't in the ideal matchup. Calgary has only allowed 14 five-on-five goals through seven home games, and as noted, there's potential for a bounce-back showing from Flames' netminder Jacob Markstrom ($33). Nugent-Hopkins has also posted consecutive multi-point showings, but had just a single double-digit fantasy point showing through his previous eight outings, so he hasn't been the most reliable contributor.
DEFENSE
Josh Morrissey, WPG at VAN ($17): While Morrissey is unlikely to continue posting big offensive numbers, he remains the power-play quarterback of the No. 1 unit and has five assists during his four-game point streak. As noted, the Canucks aren't an intimidating opponent, and Morrissey's salary still hasn't caught up to his increased offensive production. Plus, he offers a respectable floor with his shot volume, willingness to block shots and huge minutes (23:57 of ice time per game with 3:28 on the power play).
Keith Yandle, FLA at DET ($16): Locked into a favorable role and matchup, Yandle is a low-salary target to include in a Florida stack. The veteran is starting 64.7 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone and averaging 3:31 of power-play time per game while skating with Florida's No. 1 power-play unit. He's also eyeing positive offensive regression with just two helpers through the past seven games.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Tyson Barrie, EDM at CGY ($21): The first-year Oiler missed the scoresheet for just the second time through the past 10 games Wednesday and has collected a rock-solid three tallies and 11 helpers through 18 games this season, so Barrie's more of a matchup fade. The Flames have typically been defensively responsible this season, as noted, and Barrie owns a minus-2 rating for the campaign and doesn't pile up blocked shots.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. WPG ($19): These scoring settings don't favor the elite offensive defenseman, as Hughes has only reached double-digit fantasy points once in the past six games and just five times through 20 outings all season. A minus-12 rating takes a huge toll, but Hughes also doesn't block shots with just 10 all year. He's obviously capable, but the risk shouldn't be ignored, either.
