This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are five games in the NHL on Friday, and the action begins at 7 p.m. EDT. Montreal, Toronto and Vegas are the largest favorites on the docket, and the highest over/under totals are in the Rangers-Capitals and Flames-Maple Leafs bouts. Here are a few picks and pans to consider while assembling your Yahoo DFS lineups.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. CGY ($27): The Maple Leafs have been off since losing to Ottawa 4-3 Sunday, so look for a focused and rested club to hit the ice Friday. Calgary is coming off a 7-3 loss to Edmonton on Wednesday, and the Flames have only scored 2.73 goals per game in the league -- 21st in the league. Additionally, Toronto's allowed the seventh fewest five-on-five goals per 60 minutes, and Calgary's only scored nine times against the Maple Leafs through four games this season.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Thatcher Demko, VAN at MON ($34): There's no denying Demko's recent dominance with two goals or fewer allowed in seven of his past eight starts en route to a 7-1 record, .951 save percentage and 1.71 GAA. However, even with an underwhelming 4-4-6 active stretch, Montreal remains one of the best five-on-five teams in the league. The Canadiens have scored the seventh most goals and allowed the fewest per 60 minutes while also boasting the second best Corsi For percentage. There's also potential for a home-ice boost considering the Habs last game at the Bell Centre was Saturday, March 6.
CENTER
Cody Glass, VGK at LA ($11): It will be important to double-check Chandler Stephenson's ($17) status before turning to Glass on Friday, but otherwise, the emerging youngster should be a lineup building block at his salary. Glass has centered Max Pacioretty ($33) and Mark Stone ($30) the past two games, and Los Angeles is far from an intimidating opponent with an active 3-3-3 record while allowing a healthy 2.94 goals and 11.32 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes.
CENTER TO AVOID
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. CGY ($35): The noted layoff should help Matthews, but this salary limits the lineup options to surround him, and he hasn't exactly been a driving force offensively of late with three tallies and two helpers through his past seven games. Additionally, Calgary isn't a defense doormat with just 2.39 goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and rebound defensive showing following Wednesday's 7-3 loss should be expected with new head coach Darryl Sutter calling the shots.
WING
Daniel Sprong, WAS vs. NYR ($14): With three tallies, a helper and 13 shot attempts through his past five games, Sprong is taking advantage of his top-six role while Tom Wilson is out of the lineup with a suspension. Additionally, Sprong has clicked with linemates Evgeny Kuznetsov ($17) and Jakub Vrana ($17) for a rock-solid 4.85 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
Jordan Kyrou, STL at SJ ($11): Sure, the 22-year-old winger has only registered a single assist through his past six games, but Kyrou projects to skate with Brayden Schenn ($20) and Vladimir Tarasenko ($21) in a plus-matchup Friday. San Jose has surrendered the second most goals per game in the league, and Kyrou's 2.88 points per 60 minutes rank second on the Blues. This salary is peculiar.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brock Boeser, VAN at MON ($22): As noted, the Canadiens are an excellent five-on-five club and should limit Boeser's opportunities at even strength. Additionally, the high-scoring winger has only found the back of the net three times through his past 13 contests. However, his 14.3 shooting percentage during that stretch is still higher than the 12.7 mark he recorded through his first three full seasons in the league. His current 19.7 mark for the 2021 campaign remains unsustainably high.
Josh Anderson, MON vs. VAN ($17): The 26-year-old winger has cooled a bit of late and failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in 13 of his past 15 outings. Anderson remains a key cog for the Canadiens, but as noted, this isn't a plus-matchup with Thatcher Demko's ($34) current form. Vancouver has also only surrendered 14 goals through its past seven games. Simply put, there are probably better values in the winger pool.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, STL at SJ ($16): With a minus-6 rating and no points through his past six games, Krug's salary is plummeting into value territory. After all, he's still the power-play quarterback on the No. 1 unit, and his 2.14 points per 60 minutes still rank second in the league among regular defensemen over the past three years -- even with this season's underwhelming numbers. As highlighted, the matchup is cushy, too.
Zach Whitecloud, VGK at LA ($11): A lower-salary target with a higher floor than ceiling, Whitecloud has impressed during his first full season in the league. He projects to step into a top-six role with Alex Pietrangelo ($23) on injured reserve. As noted, the Kings aren't in great current form, and Whitecloud should cruise way over value if he's able to find the scoresheet.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Quinn Hughes, VAN at MON ($19): It's hard to slot Hughes in at this salary with the scoring settings. He's registered a respectable 11 points, 35 shots and 17 blocks through the past 20 games but has only reached double-digit fantasy points twice. With the noted tough five-on-five matchup, Hughes' plus-minus risk is even more dangerous.
Erik Karlsson, SJ vs. STL ($18): No doubt, Karlsson's been better of late with six points -- two goals -- through his past nine games. Still, his 1.08 points per 60 minutes rank 73rd among regular defenseman, and he's another plus-minus risk.
