This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
On the one hand, we've lost five NHL games Wednesday to postponement. On the other hand, we still have six games on the schedule. That means we're free to play DFS hockey, and that means I have some players for you to target, and some to avoid, for your lineup.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. VAN ($28): Gibson's last start didn't go well, but this season he has a 2.34 GAA and .919 save percentage at home. The Canucks have been a bit unlucky in averaging 2.52 goals per game, but nevertheless they've averaged 2.52 goals per game, and that's 28th in the NHL.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Igor Shesterkin, NYR at FLA ($38): The goalie with the highest salary Wednesday is on the road against a team that has averaged 3.55 goals and a whopping 36.3 shots on net per contest. Plus, the Panthers are expected to get Aleksander Barkov back for this game. Shesterkin is having a good season, but I would not pay this salary in this matchup.
CENTER
Jack Hughes, NJD at BUF ($13): Since returning from injury, Hughes has five points and 23 shots on net in 11 games. He still has the talent that led to him being the first-overall pick, and he's still only 20. Meanwhile, the Sabres have a 3.43 GAA and have allowed 34.1 shots on goal per game.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan Johansen, NAS at WAS ($19): Johansen was on fire before he missed three games while he was out with COVID-19 protocols. Will he be able to pick up where he left off? I'm skeptical, given that he has a 20.0 shooting percentage. He's only put 40 shots on net in 27 games. There's a good chance he doesn't get a single puck on goal Wednesday, as the Capitals have allowed a mere 28.7 shots on goal per contest.
WING
Claude Giroux, PHI at SEA ($18): Giroux was hot prior to the NHL going on pause, with at least one point in seven of his last nine games. Overall, he has 25 points in 29 contests. The goaltending has been a huge issue in Seattle, which is the primary reason it has a 3.57 GAA.
Kyle Okposo, BUF vs. NJD ($17): Okposo had a six-game point streak that bridged November and December, and on the season he has 20 points. That's with an 8.5 shooting percentage that is a little low, even for a guy with a career 10.2 shooting percentage. In spite of a recent neck issue, Mackenzie Blackwood will be in net for the Devils, and he has a 3.14 GAA and .902 save percentage.
WINGS TO AVOID
Filip Forsberg, NAS at WAS ($23): Forsberg may have a four-game point streak, but his 21.3 shooting percentage is likely to regress. The Capitals could play a role in that regression. They have a 2.58 GAA and have only given up 28.7 shots on net per game.
Garnet Hathaway, WAS vs. NAS ($17): This seems like a high salary for a guy with a career high of 19 points. Sure, he has four points in his last three games, but that gives him 10 points total. Hathaway will be facing Juuse Saros, who has a 2.22 GAA and .924 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF vs. NJD ($17): Dahlin has notched 18 points – seven on the power play – and put 69 shots on net. He's also started 59.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Sabres. As I mentioned earlier, Blackwood has a .902 save percentage.
Kevin Shattenkirk, ANA vs. VAN ($14): Nine of Shattenkirk's 18 points have come on the power play. That's notable heading into this matchup. The Canucks have the league's worst penalty kill.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. NYR ($24): Even though I'm concerned about Florida's offense when it comes to Shesterkin, I'm also concerned about Ekblad's salary in this matchup with Shesterkin. The Russian netminder has a 2.05 GAA and .937 save percentage. Neither Ekblad or Shesterkin provides much upside given their salaries.
Quinn Hughes, VAN at ANA ($18): The power play is vital to Hughes' success. Twelve of his 26 points have come with the extra man. That makes this a tough matchup for Hughes. He's on the road against a Ducks team with the league's fourth-best penalty kill.
