This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a new work week, and soon we'll have the first NHL teams hitting the 60-game mark. The trade deadline looms. What about this particular Monday? We have five NHL games on the slate. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your DFS lineup.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA at BUF ($30): The Sabres are in the bottom 10 in goals per game, and they are also on the second leg of a back-to-back Monday. Even at home, that's not easy. Bobrovsky has emerged from a couple down seasons with a steady 2.54 GAA and .916 save percentage. He's also getting great offensive support, and the Panthers are tops in goals per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. COL ($35): I just mentioned the Panthers lead the league in goals per game. Well, the Avalanche are right behind them. Colorado has averaged 3.91 goals and 35.2 shots on net per contest. Sorokin has been doing his best to get the Islanders wins without much offensive support, but this matchup is too tough.
CENTER
Sam Bennett, FLA at BUF ($23): For a guy playing center, Bennett isn't much of a playmaker, as he only has 11 assists. That being said, he has 24 goals in 45 games with 160 shots on net. The Sabres are on a back-to-back as I noted, and they are in the bottom seven in both GAA and shots on goal allowed per game.
CENTER TO AVOID
Anze Kopitar, LOS at BOS ($21): Kopitar and company are also on a back-to-back, but as opposed to the Sabres they are far from home. The Slovenian center will also likely be facing Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins netminder has a 2.03 GAA and .927 save percentage.
WING
Michael Bunting, TOR at CLM ($20): It must be nice to play on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Bunting has 19 goals and 24 assists in 55 games. He also has a four-game point streak that started with a five-point outing. Meanwhile, the Jackets have a 3.63 GAA, which is second highest in the NHL.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, CLM vs. TOR ($15): Flipping this matchup around, Bjorkstrand also has a four-game point streak. He also has 19 goals just like Bunting. The Maple Leafs have been dealing with some rough goaltending ever since Jack Campbell lost his way. Campbell has a 4.00 GAA over his last 14 games, and Mrazek has a 3.22 GAA this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
Alex Tuch, BUF vs. FLA ($20): Tuch hit the ground running when he got healthy, and he has 23 points in 24 games. However, he doesn't have a goal in his last eight games, and the Sabres are on the second leg of a back-to-back. Bobrovsky's 2.54 GAA and .916 are solid enough to discourage me from opting for Tuch.
Zach Hyman, EDM at CGY ($19): Hyman gets to play alongside Connor McDavid, which has helped him pot 19 goals in 50 games. That being said, the Flames have a 2.46 GAA, which is top three in the NHL. Things are even better for Calgary when Jacob Markstrom is in net, as he has a 2.17 GAA and .925 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. TOR ($19): Werenski was hot before missing four games, but he's gotten right back to business. In two games since returning he has a goal and nine shots on net. The Leafs have one of the highest GAAs in the new year, and in 16 games in 2022 Campbell has an .883 save percentage.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. LOS ($17): McAvoy has 15 points with the extra man this season, and the Kings have a bottom-five penalty kill. Now, I will note that McAvoy has not notched a point on the power play in his last 15 games. I'm not concerned. Even without the power-play success, McAvoy has seven points in his last seven outings.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Drew Doughty, LOS at BOS ($21): It's going to be a tricky day for Doughty. His team is on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. The Bruins have only allowed 29.2 shots on net per contest. Oh, and Swayman has a 2.03 GAA and .927 save percentage.
Noah Dobson, NYI vs. COL ($18): Dobson has become the top defenseman for the Islanders this season, and he's excelled in the role. Maybe his 7.9 shooting percentage is a little high, but that's not unsustainable for a defenseman. That being said, after a slow start to the season Darcy Kuemper has a 2.30 GAA and .928 save percentage over his last 23 games.
