This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Even though only eight teams are playing Wednesday, two of the teams have already fired their head coaches. That's how far we've gotten into this season. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your DFS lineups chosen from Wednesday's four games.
GOALIE
Jeremy Swayman, BOS at VAN ($32): The goaltending choices aren't great Wednesday. Linus Ullmark may be ready to return from a non-COVID illness, but just in case he isn't I'm going with Swayman (though I would be down with Ullmark if he gets the start). Swayman has a 2.26 GAA, in part because the Bruins have only allowed 28.8 shots on net per game. The Canucks might get a boost from Bruce Boudreau behind the bench, but they've scored a mere 2.42 goals per contest.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Braden Holtby, DAL at VGK ($22): Holtby has an impressive 2.18 GAA and .928 save percentage. Although, that's only in 12 games, and over the previous two seasons he posted an .895 save percentage. Plus, being on the road against Vegas is not an easy situation, as it has potted 3.33 goals per game.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, COL at NYR ($26): Kadri missed one game, but returned and picked up an assist. That gives him at least one point in 14 of his last 15 outings. The Rangers are on the second leg of a back-to-back, and Igor Shesterkin is currently injured. That could mean Adam Huska making his NHL debut in net.
CENTER TO AVOID
William Karlsson, VGK vs. DAL ($13): Karlsson also just returned to action in his team's last game, but he did it after missing all of November and the first two games of December for the Golden Knights. As such, I am a little less confident in his being at full speed than Kadri. Also, Holtby's 2.18 GAA is robust, even if I am not looking to use him in my lineup Wednesday.
WING
Jesper Bratt, NJD vs. PHI ($18): Bratt leads the Devils with 20 points. He's also second on the team with 67 shots on goal in 23 games. The Flyers have been ceding shots voluminously this season, as they've given up 34.9 shots on goal per contest, a number that is the highest in the NHL.
Nick Foligno, BOS at VAN ($10): Foligno has been skating with the top power-play unit for the Bruins. He's averaged 2:32 per game with the extra man. Meanwhile, the Canucks have the league's worst penalty kill. Foligno hasn't been super productive, but power-play time in this matchup could pay off.
WINGS TO AVOID
Brock Boeser, VAN vs. BOS ($17): Boeser scored a goal in his last game, but it was his first in 14 games. Can he do that again versus a team with a 2.67 GAA that has only allowed 28.8 shots on net per contest? The Bruins also have a top-10 penalty kill, and five of Boeser's 12 points have come with the extra man.
Craig Smith, BOS at VAN ($16): The Canucks do have the league's worst penalty kill, but Smith has only averaged 1:53 per game with the extra man. He's not as likely to get a chance to take advantage of Vancouver's penalty kill. Given that, it's more concerning for Smith that Thatcher Demko has a 2.15 GAA and .932 save percentage over his last nine starts.
DEFENSE
Adam Fox, NYR vs. COL ($25): Even on the second leg of a back-to-back and at this salary I like Fox. Of course, he's the reigning Norris winner and has 27 points in 24 games. Then, there's also the fact this is a favorable matchup. The Avalanche's 3.45 GAA is actually the highest of any team in action Wednesday.
Damon Severson, NJD vs. PHI ($13): Severson has a goal in each of his last two outings. Just as important to me is the fact he's put 48 shots on goal in 22 contests. The Flyers have allowed 34.9 shots on net per game and have a 3.35 GAA. If you spend heavily on somebody like Fox, a player like Severson can be a nice counterpoint.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. BOS ($19): Hughes has racked up 18 assists, though four of those did come against the Senators. The Bruins are a tougher opponent. That will especially be true if Swayman and his 2.26 GAA are in net.
John Klingberg, DAL at VGK ($17): Klingberg's impact on the Stars is down this season. He hasn't scored a goal in 17 games, and he also has only put 28 shots on net. The Swede has averaged 21:43 in ice time – a minute lower than last season – and he's down to 2:20 per game on the power play as well. Robin Lehner's .911 home save percentage isn't great, but the Golden Knights have gotten healthier and I don't think they will keep giving up 32.8 shots on net per game.
