This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Kaapo Kahkonen, MIN vs. ANA ($37): The Wild are using Kahkonen and Cam Talbot pretty evenly, so I can't say for certain who will start. Kahkonen's last start did go poorly, but that was against the Avalanche so that is understandable. Talbot may have played well in his last start but that was against Anaheim, and right before that he struggled against…the Avalanche. Either way, I'm happy to go with either of Minnesota's goalies against a Ducks team that has scored 2.15 goals per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. WPG ($34): I worry about Demko flagging under the weight of his workload. He's started 10 of Vancouver's last 12 games and his team has allowed 33.7 shots on net per contest. Demko just gave up four goals to Winnipeg while his compatriots got shut out, and Winnipeg has scored 3.25 goals per game.
CENTER
Jared McCann, PIT vs. BUF ($18): Since returning from injury McCann has been played on the Penguins' second line to replace the injured Evgeni Malkin. His first game he didn't make much of an impact, but in his second outing he put five shots on goal. Maybe he can get on the score sheet against a Sabres team that is absolutely reeling. Buffalo has lost 14 games in a row and has a 3.47 GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SAN vs. LOS ($19): This recommendation wouldn't be as strong if I knew Jonathan Quick was starting, as Cal Petersen has a 2.45 GAA and .926 save percentage. The Kings are much tougher with him in net. That being said, Los Angeles has a top-five penalty kill, so whoever is in net Couture should be unlikely to find much success with the extra man.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at OTT ($17): Gaudreau has been weirdly inactive this season, as he only has 65 shots on net in 33 games. That being said, he's started 62.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Flames, and has averaged 3:57 per game with the extra man. This has helped him tally 25 points. Ultimately, though, this is about the Senators having a 3.82 GAA, by far the highest in the league.
Jeff Carter, LOS at SAN ($13): Carter's shooting has been less pinpoint in recent seasons, as he's had a shooting percentage below 10.0 in each of the past two campaigns. That being said, his 6.4 shooting percentage this year would be a career low, and he has notched 25 shots on net in his last seven games. The Sharks have allowed 32.3 shots on goal per contest, and they also have a 3.40 GAA. Maybe Wednesday we'll see Carter boost that shooting percentage.
WINGS TO AVOID
Rickard Rakell, ANA at MIN ($18): Rakell had a nice run at the beginning of March, but in his last seven games he has only two points, and they came in the same game. The Wild have a 2.53 GAA as a team, lowest of any team in action Wednesday. I'm not expecting Rakell to regain that early March form.
Sam Reinhart, BUF at PIT ($13): Honestly, I didn't even think it was worth telling you to avoid Taylor Hall. That's how bleak his season has been. Reinhart, though, has 11 goals in 28 games. However, that's with a 20.0 shooting percentage that would be by far his career best. Once upon a time Tristan Jarry was struggling not unlike the Sabres, but over his last 14 games he has a 2.35 GAA and .928 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT vs. BUF ($21): It would be nice to be able to recommend a Penguins defenseman with a lower salary, but it's hard to do. Only Letang is really producing, so you might as well pony up to pay his salary. He's tallied 22 points (eight on the power play), in 31 games with 76 shots on net. As I mentioned earlier, the Sabres have a 3.47 GAA. That makes Letang worthwhile even with the amount of your salary cap you'll have to spend on him.
Mark Giordano, CGY at OTT ($19): Call it a Throwback Wednesday, because I could definitely see Giordano showing some of that form that won him the Norris a couple seasons ago. Measured by those standards the 37-year-old has been a disappointment, but there's nothing wrong with having 14 points and 73 shots on net in 33 games as a defenseman. Mostly, though, this is about Ottawa's 3.82 GAA.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SAN vs. LOS ($20): Burns has been a prolific goal-scoring defenseman in the past, but it seems like he's lost a step. The 36-year-old only has five goals in 30 games, and zero goals in his last nine contests. In fact, in three of his last five contests he has logged zero shots on goal, which used to be unheard of for him. Even power-play time may not be able to help, given the Kings' top-five penalty kill.
Neal Pionk, WPG at VAN ($17): Pionk may have 23 points in 32 games, but he hasn't notched a point in his last five contests. He also doesn't have a goal in 14 games. The Canucks may allow a lot of shots, but Pionk has 54 shots on goal in 32 games. Pionk's cold streak could continue.
