This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
As of this writing, no games have been postponed Thursday. Hopefully, by the time you read this that's still true. Seven games are scheduled, and we might even see some teams actually play the second leg of a back-to-back. Here are some players to target and avoid for your DFS lineups.
GOALIE
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. BUF ($29): This would have been a battle of teams on back-to-backs, but the Islanders' game with the Red Wings was postponed Wednesday, which gave New York a chance to rest before facing a team in the bottom 10 in both goals and shots on net per game. Sorokin, for his part, has a 2.49 GAA and .926 save percentage.
Goalie to Avoid
Elvis Merzlikins, CLM vs. NAS ($25): It's hard to find a goalie to recommend avoiding whom anybody would want in their lineup. There are a lot of back-to-backs Thursday, which means a lot of backup goalies. Nashville is on the road for the second of a back-to-back, but I still would avoid Merzlikins. He's allowed at least four goals in five of his last six games.
CENTER
Elias Lindholm, CGY at SEA ($28): Lindholm has a point in four of his last five games, giving him 27 points in 28 outings. The Kraken are in the bottom 5 in GAA because they are last in team save percentage. Playing their second game in as many days won't help on that front.
Center to Avoid
Nick Suzuki, MON at CAR ($14): Suzuki's wings are healthy again, but he hasn't notched a point in his last five games. Don't expect that to change in this matchup. The Hurricanes are tops in the NHL in both GAA and shots on net allowed per game.
WING
Timo Meier, SAN vs. PHI ($27): Meier is playing the most minutes in his career, averaging 18:29 per game. He's also shooting more than ever. The Swiss winger has 114 shots on net in 26 games. Philly is in a tough spot. With Carter Hart out, Martin Jones started Wednesday. Felix Sandstrom likely will make his NHL debut in this game with the Sharks.
Anders Lee, NYI vs. BUF ($17): Lee has started 60.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second most among Islanders forwards. He's also seemingly rounding into form, as he's tallied six points in his last six games. The Sabres have gotten good goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but he started Wednesday. That likely means Malcolm Subban in net for Buffalo, which bodes well for Lee.
Wings to Avoid
Cam Atkinson, PHI at SAN ($19): Even though James Reimer just allowed seven goals (rust after that layoff would be understandable), he still has a 2.29 GAA and .928 save percentage. Meanwhile, Atkinson is on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. If Reimer is in the groove, Atkinson could be in trouble.
Jordan Eberle, SEA vs. CGY ($13): Eberle leads the Kraken with 12 goals and 21 points. However, adding to that will be tough in this matchup. Jacob Markstrom has cleared COVID-19 protocols, which means he (and his 1.94 GAA and .933 save percentage) likely will be in net.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. NAS ($18): Getting the Predators on the second night of a back-to-back means avoiding Juuse Saros. That also means David Rittich in net for the Preds, and he has a 3.10 GAA and .880 save percentage. Werenski is racking up points and shots, with 19 of the former and 88 of the latter in 28 games.
Sean Durzi, LOS vs. VAN ($16): Since getting called up to the NHL, Durzi has been a fixture on the LA power play. He's averaged 2:30 with the extra man, and he's tallied four of his seven points on the power play in 13 games. Vancouver, meanwhile, has the league's worst penalty kill. It is also on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Defensemen to Avoid
Quinn Hughes, VAN at LOS ($18): I like Durzi because the Canucks are on the second leg of a back-to-back. On the flip side, I am down on Hughes for the same reason. The Kings also likely will start Jonathan Quick, who has a 2.42 GAA and .923 save percentage.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at NYI ($17): Dahlin is having a better season than the last one, but this is another back-to-back situation. Plus, as noted, Sorokin has a 2.49 GAA and .926 save percentage. The Islanders have the clear edge in this battle of New York State teams.
