This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Welcome back, hockey fans! We've had a few days off for the holiday, but the NHL is hitting you at full force Friday with 11 games on the slate. Everybody should be well rested. I've shaken the rust off, and I'm ready to recommend players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Mikko Koskinen, EDM vs. CGY ($30): Koskinen got off to a hot start to last season, but then faded. This year, he's kept it up and has posted a 2.66 GAA and .917 save percentage. The Flames are bringing a pretty punchless offense to the Battle of Alberta, as they've only averaged 2.59 goals per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Tristan Jarry, PIT at NAS ($34): Jarry has arguably been the best goalie in the NHL this year, and that argument is shown by his spot atop the rankings for GAA and save percentage. That being said, there are a lot of goalies in action and this could be a tricky road matchup. The Predators have scored 3.47 goals per game and have directed 33.8 shots on net per contest.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, COL vs. MIN ($17): Kadri's settled in well as the second-line center for the Avalanche with 23 points in 34 games. He's also averaged a whopping 4:23 per game with the extra man. As for the Wild, they enter with a fourth-highest GAA of 3.29.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. STL ($26): Scheifele was hot before the NHL went on its brief hiatus, but he's facing a tough opponent in his first game back. Jordan Binnington has compiled a 2.38 GAA and .921 save percentage, while the Blues boast the fifth-ranked penalty kill.
WING
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR at NYR ($23): Teravainen has put 107 shots on net through 37 games, third on the Hurricanes. He's only recorded a 6.5 shooting percentage - which is likely to improve - and perhaps he'll light the lamp in this outing. After all, the Rangers give up a ton of shots, as the 34.6 shots on net per game will show. They also have struggled to a 3.22 GAA, which will help Teravainen turn those shots into potential goals.
Evander Kane, SAN vs. LOS ($21): Kane has been active offensively, with 116 shots on net through 35 games. He also has registered 10 points with the extra man, including seven goals. The Kings have really struggled on the penalty kill, as they are tied for 29th.
WINGS TO AVOID
Victor Olofsson, BUF vs. BOS ($19): Olofsson has racked up 34 points over 38 games, but his 16.7 shooting percentage is likely to regress. The Bruins could certainly help on the regression front, as they come in with a 2.50 GAA - tied for second-lowest in the NHL - and own the fourth-ranked penalty kill.
Zach Parise, MIN at COL ($18): Parise has tallied 14 goals, but he only has eight assists. And while he's accumulated five points with the extra man, he hasn't managed one in his last 11 games. The Avalanche mantain an NHL top-10 2.78 GAA. However, when Pavel Francouz has been in net, things have improved thanks to his 2.22 GAA and .932 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Ryan Pulock, NYI at CHI ($18): Pulock has recently picked up his offense, with eight points in his last 11 games. He's also fired 80 shots on net this year, third most on the Islanders. The Blackhawks have given up a league-high 36.1 shots on goal per contest, so Pulock should have plenty of opportunity to add to that total Friday.
Tyson Barrie, TOR at NJD ($17): Barrie isn't the power-play weapon he's been in the past, but he has recorded 17 points in 38 games and has also accumulated 96 shots on net. The Devils own a 3.44 GAA - third-highest in the NHL - along with an .890 save percentage. Barrie scored two points in his last game before the break, so maybe he can build upon that in his return to action.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Seth Jones, CLM at WAS ($19): Jones is enjoying a solid season, but Braden Holtby and the Capitals could be a difficult matchup. Holtby's last start before the break was rough, but he starred in his last 10 home games with a 2.08 GAA and .935 save percentage. The Capitals also possess the second-ranked penalty kill, and Jones has notched seven of his 22 points with the extra man.
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR vs. CAR ($16): DeAngelo's not likely to keep scoring goals at this rate, as he's racked up seven goals on 69 shots to go with a 10.1 shooting percentage. Even if he regresses there, he still has added nine assists over his last 15 games. The Hurricanes enter with a 2.76 GAA and have only allowed 29.1 shots on net per contest. They also boast the sixth-ranked penalty kill, and DeAngelo has registered seven power-play points.
