This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Because of the holidays, the NHL schedule has gotten a little weird. I mean, Wednesday there was only one game, and it took place at a football stadium in Dallas. Now, though, things are getting back to normal. There are 12 games Thursday, and here are the players I recommend for you to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy hockey lineup.
GOALIE
Antti Raanta, ARI vs. ANA ($33): Raanta hasn't quite looked as good as he did a couple years ago, but he still has a .918 save percentage. He's also coming off a great start against the Blues. Regardless, this is a nice matchup at home for the Finn. The Ducks have only scored 2.50 goals per game, only better than the Red Wings -- which barely counts.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jordan Binnington, STL at COL ($32): Speaking of the Blues, Binnington has built upon his rookie campaign with a 2.39 GAA and .921 save percentage this season. Even he has to worry about making a visit to Denver, however. The Avalanche have averaged 3.60 goals per game, highest in the NHL.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. NJD ($25): Barzal made the All-Star Game by being the engine for the Islanders' offense. That was certainly true to end 2019, as he has seven points in his last six games. Meanwhile, the Devils are the Ducks of defense, in that only the Red Wings are worse than them in terms of GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SAN at PIT ($23): Couture is having a good season, but he's disappeared on the power play. Over his last 20 games he has zero points with the extra man. Now he's likely to face off with Tristan Jarry, who leads the NHL in GAA (1.88) and save percentage (.938).
WING
William Nylander, TOR at WPG ($20): Nylander has had the opposite experience on the power play from Couture, as he has 10 points with the extra man, including five in his last six games. The Jets have a 2.98 GAA, which is middling, but they have had huge issues when down a man. Winnipeg ranks last in penalty-kill percentage.
Anthony Duclair, OTT vs. FLA ($19): Duclair had a December to remember, as he notched 11 goals and five assists in 13 games last month. He also put 40 shots on goal in that time. Meanwhile, the Panthers have had a lot of defensive issues on the road, as they have a 3.71 GAA in away contests.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrick Kane, CHI at VAN ($33): This may be a surprise, because Kane has been absolutely great this year. However, he's also very pricey, and there are a ton of other options for you. I feel like you can get more bang for your buck with other wings, especially since there are a lot of teams with favorable matchups Thursday. That's not the case for Kane. The Canucks have a 2.70 GAA at home, and Jacob Markstrom has a 2.63 GAA and .919 save percentage wherever he's playing.
Kyle Palmieri, NJD at NYI ($18): Taylor Hall is gone, but Palmieri is still getting it done offensively. However, the lack of Hall could end up hurting Palmieri's numbers, especially on the power play. The real issue here, though, is the Islanders' goaltending. They have a 2.61 GAA, fifth best in the NHL, and a .917 team save percentage.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. NYR ($20): Giordano has not had the season many expected, but he is staying active. He's put 102 shots on net and blocked 104 shots in 42 games. Giordano's 3.9 percent shooting is also well below his career average, and due for some positive regression. The Rangers have a 3.33 GAA, fifth highest in the NHL, but they've also allowed a whopping 35.0 shots on net per contest.
John Marino, PIT vs. SAN ($8): Marino has been overshadowed by some other rookie defensemen, but he has 18 points in 37 games. That include a point in each of his last three contests. The Sharks have a 3.37 GAA, with is third highest in the NHL. Inexplicably, they have the top-ranked penalty kill, but Marino doesn't play on the power play so that's not a worry.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SAN at PIT ($23): Burns, like his teammate Couture, is having problems on the power play. Evidently it's a team issue. The usually prolific defenseman has only one power-play point in his last 21 contests. As previously noted, the Pens' Jarry has an 1.88 GAA and .938 save percentage, so this is about as tough of a matchup as you can find.
Zach Werenski, CLM at BOS ($22): Werenski had a hat trick in his last game, so you might be keen to put him in your lineup. However, he's probably in line for a cold dose of reality. The Bruins have a 2.41 GAA, lowest in the NHL, and the second-best penalty kill as well.
