This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Nine evening games are included in the main contests at Yahoo on Saturday. The Hurricanes, Avalanche, Capitals, Predators and Rangers are all significant favorites. It's worth noting the Rangers are the only team playing the second leg of a back-to-back set, whereas the Blue Jackets, Islanders, Lightning and Maple Leafs are playing the front end of one. Here's a look at recommendations and fades for each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Jonas Johansson, COL at OTT ($33): This recommendation is all about the salary and matchup. Johansson has been hit or miss this season and only has 28 NHL appearances under his belt, but Ottawa hasn't won consecutive games all season and rank eighth last in expected goals per 60 minutes. There's the potential the Avs' No. 1 goalie Darcy Kuemper ($32) returns from an upper-body injury, and he would be a slam-dunk option if he plays.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jack Campbell, TOR at MIN ($36): As well as Campbell has played this season, this still projects as a tough matchup. His current .943 save percentage and 1.72 GAA are unsustainably high, and the Wild have scored the most goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five in the league.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI at DET ($14): This salary is in the sweet spot, and Barzal also scored his last time out. His current 1.69 points per 60 minutes is well below the 2.59 mark he posted over the previous three years. Additionally, Detroit is far from a defensive juggernaut with 3.13 goals against per game and a 25th-ranked 77.1 percent penalty kill.
CENTER TO AVOID
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. BUF ($32): Be wary of Aho's inconsistent offense of late. He's missed the scoresheet entirely in five of his past eight games while racking up three goals and three assists in the other three. Additionally, his average of just 19:44 of ice time per contest (3:21 with the man advantage) also trails a lot of the superstars in his salary range. This is a cushy matchup, though. Buffalo enters with a 1-6-1 record in its last eight with 40 goals against during that stretch.
WING
Taylor Hall, BOS vs. TB ($17): With Brad Marchand out of the lineup due to a suspension, Hall moved to the top line alongside Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak on Thursday. The trio drove possession with a 65.5 Corsi For percentage and generated four high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five. Hall's also recorded just two points -- one goal -- through his past seven games, but a breakout showing wouldn't surprise.
Seth Jarvis, CAR vs. BUF ($16): A more affordable 'Cane in the noted soft matchup against Buffalo. Jarvis has collected a respectable three tallies and three helpers through his past nine contests while also pacing Carolina in individual high-danger scoring chances. The rookie also skates on the No. 2 power-play unit, and Buffalo ranks 24th in penalty-kill percentage.
WINGS TO AVOID
Kirill Kaprizov, MIN vs. TOR ($29): Toronto has surrendered the second-fewest goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five and rank sixth in penalty-kill percentage, so this isn't the best matchup for Kaprizov. Additionally, his current heater -- six goals and 11 assists through the past eight games -- is unlikely to stretch on much longer.
Alex Killorn, TB at BOS ($18): It's amazing that Killorn has racked up a rock-solid two tallies and nine helpers through the past 14 games without reaching double-digit fantasy points in a single contest. He's a low-volume shooter and sports a minus-4 rating during that stretch, so while he positioned to succeed and frequently finds the scoresheet, his fantasy upside is capped.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL at OTT ($27): This is a cushy fantasy set up for Makar with Ottawa allowing the most goals per game in the league and ranking 28th in penalty-kill percentage. Makar, meanwhile, paces all defensemen in points per 60 minutes and ranks second in shot attempts per 60.
Kris Letang, PIT at VAN ($21): With two assists, 13 shots and eight blocks through the past three games, Letang is piling up the counting stats and lands in a great matchup Friday. The Canucks have the worst penalty-kill percentage in the league. However, Letang has also posted a minus-5 rating during the noted stretch, so there is some risk attached.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Victor Hedman, TB at BOS ($25): From the top tier of defensemen, Hedman has the toughest matchup. The Bruins rank seventh in goals against per game and ninth in penalty-kill percentage. Hedman's current 2.37 points per 60 minutes is also above the 2.04 mark he posted over the past three years, so the veteran is probably overachieving a bit to start the campaign.
Morgan Rielly, TOR at MIN ($18): As noted, the Wild pace the league in goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and Rielly will be playing tough minutes against one of Minnesota's top two lines. It could impact his upside, and he's also only reached double-digit fantasy points once in his past six games.
