This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are eight evening games firing up this Saturday, and this article will focus on those as opposed to the afternoon contests. There are two divisional clashes -- both in the Central -- but four teams will be on the latter half of a back-to-back.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, EDM vs. WPG ($28): Smith has been stellar at home in 2020, recording a .923 save percentage and 4-0-2 record. He'll be key for the Oilers as they make a playoff push, and this is a favorable matchup, as the Jets rank 27th in February with 2.14 xGF/60 at even strength, per Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. TOR ($27): Demko is the No. 1 in Vancouver with Jacob Markstrom (lower body) on the mend, but he's had a tough month with a 1-2-1 record and an .879 save percentage. The Maple Leafs are trying not to let a Zamboni driver steal their thunder either, as they've scored 16 goals over the past four games.
CENTER
Max Domi, MON vs. CAR ($18): Domi extended his point streak to four games with a goal Thursday, and he has six points (three goals, three assists) in that stretch. He's firing at a high volume too, and with both regular goalies out of the lineup for Carolina, look for him to keep the engine roaring.
CENTER TO AVOID
Matt Duchene, NSH vs. COL ($16): Duchene has just one point -- an assist -- over the past five games, and he hasn't surpassed two shots on net in eight straight contests. No team has played better defense than the Avalanche in February, either, as they've allowed just 1.25 G/60.
WING
William Nylander, TOR vs. VAN ($22): Nylander is tearing it up. He's posted a point in 16 of the past 18 games, totaling 10 goals, nine assists and 56 shots on net. He's helping lead the charge to the playoffs, and Demko's presence in net only raises Nylander's ceiling.
Bobby Ryan, OTT vs. DET ($13): Ryan's story is admirable, as he posted a hat trick in his first game back Thursday, and he'll be in another prime position for production against the Red Wings. Over the past five contests, Detroit has allowed 4.4 goals per game, and their deadline sell-off isn't helping the issue.
WINGS TO AVOID
Victor Olofsson, BUF at ARI ($19): Olofsson has been in a cold spell with three straight pointless contests, and he notched just one shot on net in two of those games. Meanwhile, the Coyotes' crease is as stout as it comes, especially now that Darcy Kuemper -- a Vezina contender before getting hurt -- is back in the picture.
Timo Meier, SJ vs. PIT ($17): Meier has two points and a minus-5 rating over the past five games; he seems to be struggling without some of San Jose's stars in the picture. This is a difficult matchup as well because the Penguins rank eighth over the past two weeks with 2.18 GA/60 at even strength.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN at TOR ($20): Hughes continues to make a Calder push as a premier puck-moving defenseman, as he's registered 13 assists -- six with the man advantage -- over the last 12 outings. His power-play prowess is key too, as the Maple Leafs' PK has been putrid and Frederik Andersen has a 3.15 GAA at home this year.
Colton Parayko, STL vs. DAL ($18): This is perhaps the best month of Parayko's career, as he's racked up 12 points (six goals, six assists), 41 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 13 games. He's been pacing the team in ice time often, and his consistent power-play minutes bode well against the Stars, whose penalty kill ranks 27th this month at 9.47 GA/60.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Mattias Ekholm, NSH vs. COL ($19): The aforementioned Colorado goaltending situation is strong, and Ekholm hasn't done much over the last two weeks. He has just two points over the past seven games while averaged 2.3 shots on net per contests.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at ARI ($18): Dahlin hasn't lit the lamp in seven games, and he failed to get a shot on net in four of those contests. Given how well Kuemper and Antti Raanta have played lately, Dahlin doesn't carry a high enough floor for the price.
