This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Thursday isn't quite as busy as originally expected, especially for those of you in the Northeast. Three games have been postponed: the Devils versus the Penguins, the Islanders versus the Sabres, and now the Avalanche versus the Wild. That still leaves eight NHL games taking place. I had actually written these recommendations up before the COL-MIN news, so there are a couple alterations where the info might be sparser. However, I didn't want to leave those unhelpful suggestions in. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. ARI ($35): Binnington is shouldering a big load for the Blues, as he's started eight of 10 games. While he isn't up to his rookie-season standards, the netminder has a 2.55 GAA and .917 save percentage. The Coyotes have scored 2.56 goals per game, which isn't bottom of the league but is in the bottom 10. Additionally, the 'Yotes have only managed 28.9 shots on net per contest.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jacob Markstrom, CGY at WPG ($32): On the one hand, Markstrom has a 2.27 GAA and .924 save percentage. On the other hand, the Jets have scored 3.50 goals per game. When Markstrom faced Winnipeg earlier this season, he allowed three goals on 28 shots. That seems about right, especially on the road.
CENTER
Nick Suzuki, MON vs. OTT ($19): Suzuki's rookie season got overlooked a bit, but he managed 41 points in 71 games. This season, he's seen his minutes rise from 15:59 to 18:07 and he has a point in nine of the 10 games he's played in. As for the Senators, well, they've been almost a goal worse than any team this season. Seriously, they have a 4.80 GAA and the Sharks are second worst at 3.88.
CENTER TO AVOID
Brayden Schenn, STL vs. ARI ($19): Schenn has six goals through 10 games, but on 26.1 percent shooting that seems likely to regress, perhaps considerably. I mean, last year he really outperformed his career shooting rate and still only ended up at 18.7 percent. Darcy Kuemper's .905 save percentage is not good, but it's only been eight games, and he had a .928 save percentage last season. Plus, the Coyotes have held opponents to 28.1 shots on net per game.
WING
William Nylander, TOR vs. VAN ($23): Nylander has a goal in each of his last two games, which is encouraging as he had not scored since potting two in Toronto's opener. On top of that, he's started 62.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among the Leafs' regular forwards. Vancouver's defense has been quite porous this year, allowing 36.0 shots on net per game. No wonder the team has a 3.69 GAA.
Patric Hornqvist, FLA vs. NAS ($20): It's been long enough since Hornqvist was a Predator you might not even remember it, but he seems primed to perform against his old team. The Swede has been a power-play machine this year, scoring five points with the extra man in six games. Nashville, meanwhile, is down at the bottom of the league in penalty-kill percentage, fighting with the Red Wings to avoid being last.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. CAR ($28): Given the relative lack of talent around him, it's impressive that Kane still has 11 points in 11 games. That being said, this is a tricky matchup. Carolina leads the league with a 1.86 GAA and has allowed a mere 24.7 shots on goal per game. This is a team that has made a habit of suppressing shots, so I believe in that. I also believe it will be hard for Kane to earn his salary Thursday.
Patrik Laine, CLM vs. DAL ($24): This was originally Kirill Kaprizov, but there's plenty of reason to be down on Patrik without a "c" just like with Kane. He just joined the Blue Jackets so he's still new to the team, and Anton Khudobin has a 2.17 GAA and .922 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Jeff Petry, MON vs. OTT ($22): I had to get another crack at that woeful Ottawa defense with its 4.80 GAA. Not that you have to twist my arm to want to include Petry in my lineup. Yes, his 20.8 percent shooting is going to drop, but he has 13 points in 10 games and has had at least 40 points in each of his last three seasons.
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. NAS ($17): I mentioned Nashville's penalty-kill issues, and when I think power-play success and defensemen, I immediately think of Yandle. While he's 34 now, if you give him a shot with the extra man he can still execute with the best of them. The veteran has averaged 3:22 per game on the power play and has five power-play points through six games.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
John Klingberg, DAL at CLM ($21): Klingberg is replacing Cale Makar. He's off to a strong start, but on 16.7 percent shooting. He's only notched 12 shots on goal through seven games. The Blue Jackets have a 2.36 GAA and are at home, so the Swedish defenseman may get some of that regression to the mean headed his way.
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. DAL ($15): Seth Jones' struggles have been noted this year, but Werenski hasn't been much better. He only has three points through 11 games, and actually has zero shots on goal in each of his last two outings. The Stars had to wait to start the season, but since they have they have a 2.29 GAA and have only given up 26.7 shots on net per contest.
