This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL doesn't schedule many games for Friday, and this one is no exception, with just three games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Read on to see which players to target in this small slate and which ones to avoid.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at DAL ($33): Dubnyk's off to a stellar start this season, having posted a 2.32 GAA and .940 save percentage through five games. The team in front of him hasn't been playing up to its potential thus far, so Dubnyk has a clear path to further improvement, though it's hard to imaging that save mark climbing any higher. In a slate that doesn't lack in high-profile netminders, Dubnyk's actually the third-cheapest projected starter.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Ben Bishop, DAL vs. MIN ($37): Bishop is capable of living up to his $37 valuation if he can match the production from his first two starts (one goal allowed on 65 shots). The problem is, his two starts since then tell a much different story (nine goals allowed on 52 shots). You'd like more consistency at this price.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. FLA ($26): Kuznetsov is a Tier 1 superstar, the pricing system just doesn't know it yet. After leading the league with 32 points in 24 games last postseason, Kuznetsov's picked up right where he left off with four goals and 10 points through six games. He's a comparable commodity to linemate Alex Ovechkin, only trailing him in the shot category by three, yet Kuznetsov can be had for a whole $8 cheaper.
CENTER TO AVOID
Eric Staal, MIN at DAL ($22): Staal turns 34 later this month, and it looks like age is finally starting to catch up with him. The veteran pivot has been held without a point in four of Minnesota's six games and his rating sits at minus-3. He's still capable of the odd offensive outburst, but you can do better at $22.
WINGS
Kevin Fiala, NSH at CGY ($12): Fiala has been held without a point through six games, but there's reason to believe he'll turn things around soon. The 22-year-old winger is coming off a 23-goal, 48-point season, and he's still skating on the second line and second power-play unit. There's a nice buy-low opportunity here at $12.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. NSH ($20): Tkachuk is off to a hot start with nine points through six games, but there's still room for improvement in the 20-year-old power forward's game. While he's thriving on the second line and top power-play unit for Calgary, Tkachuk is still searching for his first power-play goal after potting 10 last season. That extra-man tally could come against a struggling Predators penalty kill that's operating at just 75 percent on the young season.
WINGS TO AVOID
Colton Sceviour, FLA at WAS ($16): Sceviour's overpriced at $16, especially against the defending champs. He's already been scratched once in Florida's first four games and has been held without a point while averaging just 11:25 of ice time over the other three.
Mike Hoffman, FLA at WAS ($19): Hoffman's a better player than Sceviour, but his bang for the buck at $19 is hardly any better. He was dropped down to the fourth line in practice heading into this contest, and paying $19 for a fourth-liner in a difficult matchup is rarely a winning strategy.
DEFENSEMEN
Mattias Ekholm, NSH at CGY ($18): Ekholm is showing no signs of slowing down in the early going, with five points through six games and an average of 8.5 fantasy points per contest. A relative lack of offensive ability always separated Ekholm from the rest of Nashville's terrific top four on the blue line, but he's actually leading the group in fantasy points per game at the moment despite remaining the cheapest option of the four.
Esa Lindell, DAL vs. MIN ($15): He may not possess the flashy offensive skills of partner John Klingberg, but Lindell's been rock-solid on the first pairing for Dallas. In addition to racking up three helpers in six games, Lindell's averaging more than one shot and one block per game and has finished with an even rating or better every time out. The high floor Lindell provides is exactly what you want out of a $15 defenseman, who can be used to round out a lineup filled with more expensive scorers.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Roman Josi, NSH at CGY ($24): On the flip side from Ekholm is his teammate Josi. He's the most expensive member of Nashville's big four on the blue line despite scoring the fewest fantasy points of the group thus far. The bang for the buck just isn't there right now.
Michael Stone, CGY vs. NSH ($15): Stone recorded just 10 points in 82 games last season, so his three assists in the past two games are almost certainly not a sign of more points to come. His offensive upside is low, but the career minus-46 defenseman's rating downside is palpable against the team that won the Presidents' Trophy last season.
