This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Tuesday is looking a bit more normal for the NHL. We had the (extended) holiday break, then a bunch of afternoon games over the New Year's weekend. Then Monday there was only one game. Now, we have eight games Tuesday evening. That's more like it. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy hockey lineup.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, COL at CHI ($32): Kuemper started the season slowly with his new team, but it seems like he may have found his footing. Over his last five starts – all wins – he has a 2.42 GAA and .925 save percentage. Chicago is really struggling offensively, as it has averaged 2.22 goals and 28.0 shots on net per contest.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jacob Markstrom, CGY at FLA ($38): After allowing four goals in two straight games, Markstrom only allowed one goal against Chicago in his last start. Of course, Chicago's offense is punchless. Florida is a different story. The Panthers have averaged a whopping 3.78 goals and 36.5 shots on net per contest.
CENTER
Logan Couture, SAN at DET ($21): Alex Nedeljkovic has seen his game slip since the beginning of December. Over his last seven starts he has a 3.57 GAA and .893 save percentage. On the other hand, Couture has a three-game goal streak, and he has nine points in his last eight contests.
CENTER TO AVOID
Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. NAS ($20): Stephenson is having a career year, as he already has 34 points in 34 games. However, he's spent a lot of time with guys like Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty on his wing. Right now, both of those guys are out. You know who isn't out? Juuse Saros, who has a 2.24 GAA and .925 save percentage.
WING
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at ARI ($24): Ehlers has been racking up a ton of shots this year, as he's notched 126 shots on goal in 31 games. And yet, his 9.5 percent shooting is his lowest since his rookie campaign, so he's been a bit unlucky. Maybe this matchup will bring luck. The Coyotes have a 3.80 GAA, highest in the NHL.
Ondrej Palat, TAM at CLM ($18): Palat had 20 points with the extra man last season, but this year he was having bad luck on the power play. However, he's tallied three power-play points in his last five contests, helping him to six points total in that time. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have been heading in the wrong direction defensively, as they now have a 3.47 GAA and have allowed 35.2 shots on net per contest.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrik Laine, CLM vs. TAM ($18): Laine is back after a lengthy absence, but you know who else is back? Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning. Yes, his first start after returning from the COVID-19 protocols wasn't good, but he still has a 2.21 GAA and .925 save percentage. I'm not worried.
Pavel Zacha, NJD at BOS ($10): Zacha is considered a player with some upside after he had 17 goals and 18 assists in 50 games last year. This season he has 16 points in 33 games, although he has zero goals in his last eight contests. Meanwhile, the Bruins have a 2.57 GAA and have gotten strong goaltending from both Jeremy Swayman (.920 save percentage) and Linus Ullmark (.919 save percentage).
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. NJD ($19): McAvoy has notched 20 points in 27 games, including five in his last two contests. Sure, it would be nice if he shot the puck more, but he still gets points, and he's averaged 24:23 in ice time and 3:05 with the extra man. Mackenzie Blackwood has had trouble shouldering the load for the Devils, as he has a 3.22 GAA and .897 save percentage.
Josh Morrissey, WPG at ARI ($12): Morrissey has tallied four points in his last four games heading into this matchup with the Coyotes. As I mentioned earlier, Arizona has a 3.80 GAA, highest in the NHL. The 'Yotes also rank 30th on the penalty kill.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA vs. CGY ($19): Weegar has 18 assists, which is impressive, but he only has one goal this season. He also doesn't play on the power play at all, which limits his offensive upside. While I am worried about Markstrom on the road against the Panthers, the Swedish netminder does have an 1.99 GAA and .930 save percentage.
Seth Jones, CHI vs. COL ($17): Jones has been held without a point in his last six games. Given how hot he had been, it isn't surprising to see him hit a cold patch. I don't know if Tuesday is the day it will end, though. Kuemper does have a 2.42 GAA and .925 save percentage over his last five games, after all, and the Avalanche have gotten healthy.
