This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We're a little over halfway into the NHL season, but surprises can still happen. You have to stay on your toes and keep an eye out. That helps maximize your chances at scoring success in DFS hockey. There are four NHL games Wednesday. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineups.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, MIN at WPG ($29): This was a tough choice. It's not a great day for finding a fantasy goalie. Six of the eight teams in action are in the top 10 in goals per game. The Jets, though, are 22nd at 2.83 goals per contest. Since returning from injury, Talbot has an 1.36 GAA and .955 save percentage in four starts.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA at CAR ($35): The Panthers have the league's top offense, which will test the Hurricanes, but don't overlook the Canes on offense either. Carolina has scored 3.48 goals per game. Bobrovsky has a 2.56 GAA and .920 save percentage, but this is a tough matchup on the road.
CENTER
Joel Eriksson Ek, MIN at WPG ($21): Eriksson has 14 goals on 120 shots on net in 39 games, but what stands out is how impressive he's been on the power play. He has nine points with the extra man, all goals. Clearly, the Swede has a nice role for himself on the Wild power play, and the Jets have a bottom-eight penalty kill.
CENTER TO AVOID
Aleksander Barkov, FLA at CAR ($32): There's nothing to dislike about Barkov…except this matchup. The Hurricanes are first in the league in GAA, shots on net allowed per game, and penalty-kill percentage. It's the best defense in the NHL, and the Canes are at home too. Even for a player like Barkov, that's tough.
WING
Matthew Boldy, MIN at WPG ($19): Boldy definitely grabbed attention with three goals and an assist against the Red Wings in his last outing. The 20-year-old rookie isn't a one-game wonder, though. He has seven goals and seven assists in 13 games. Boldy has also started 61.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second highest on the Wild. The Jets are middling with a 2.89 GAA, and they've also averaged 32.0 shots on net per contest.
Evgenii Dadonov, VGK vs. COL ($14): The Avalanche have two good goalies, but they are also on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. That's not ideal for any team. Dadonov, meanwhile, has been lifted to the top line for the Golden Knights with Mark Stone out. The Russian has 10 goals in 46 games even though his 8.5 shooting percentage is below his career 13.5 shooting percentage. Some better luck and a better spot in the lineup could pay off.
WINGS TO AVOID
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. ANA ($29): Tkachuk and the Flames are at home, but they are on the second leg of a back-to-back. That's part of this. On top of that, though, John Gibson has a 2.54 GAA and .921 save percentage. In fact, since returning from a five-game absence he has a 2.12 GAA and .935 save percentage in seven starts.
Troy Terry, ANA at CGY ($19): Terry has sustained a 24.8 shooting percentage through 44 games this season, but it really feels like that number is going to regress some. It's hard for any NHL player to convert one fourth of their shots on net into goals. While the Flames are on the second night of a back-to-back, they saved Jacob Markstrom for this one. He has a 2.12 GAA and .926 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Devon Toews, COL at VGK ($23): Robin Lehner is banged up, so there's a good chance Laurent Brossoit will be in net for the Golden Knights. He has a .905 save percentage this season, and a .908 save percentage in his career. Toews has 34 points in 36 games, and even on the second day of a back-to-back I'd pay his salary for this matchup.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN at WPG ($18): I was looking for a defenseman who could excel on the power play for the Wild, and that's Spurgeon. He's averaged 2:57 per game with the extra man and notched seven power-play points in 29 games. The new year has not gone well for Connor Hellebuyck. In 15 games, he has a 2.99 GAA and .909 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at CAR ($24): Ekblad has been excellent, but it will be hard for him to justify this salary in this matchup. Like I said, the Hurricanes top the league in GAA, shots on net allowed, and penalty-kill percentage. Frederik Andersen has a 2.04 GAA and .929 save percentage. I'm not looking to risk this much salary for a guy on the road against Carolina.
Rasmus Andersson, CGY vs. ANA ($19): Oftentimes, I find myself recommending Andersson. Not Wednesday, though. He'll be on a back-to-back and facing a hot Gibson in net. The Ducks are also in the top eight on the penalty kill for good measure.
