This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Friday's NHL slate beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time features just four games, but that doesn't mean there isn't value to be found for those who know where to look. Read on to see which players to target and which to avoid.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS vs. PHI ($28): The fourth-cheapest projected starter in this slate is certainly capable of outperforming that valuation, especially at home against a middling Flyers offense. He's saved 63 of 65 shots in consecutive wins over other Metropolitan Division rivals to lower his GAA to 2.45 while raising his save percentage to .920. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has been even better at home with a 2.10 GAA and .933 save percentage, making Bobrovsky a terrific value here at just $28.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jonathan Bernier, COL at WPG ($34): Bernier's overpriced at $34 considering six of his last seven opponents have netted at least three goals. Improvement will be hard to come by against a Jets team that's 21-5-2 in Winnipeg.
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CENTER
Alex Kerfoot, COL at WPG ($13): While this is a tough matchup, Kerfoot's combination of role and affordability is too good to pass up. Despite lighting the lamp in consecutive contests as the top line center in Nathan MacKinnon's (shoulder) absence, Kerfoot still costs just $13. At this price, he's worth rolling out every time until McKinnon returns.
CENTER TO AVOID
Brock Nelson, NYI at CAR ($16): Nelson's price skyrocketed after a Feb. 9 hat trick, but he otherwise has just two goals since Dec. 11. His lack of assists (10 in 59 games) and minus-6 rating suggest Nelson's likely to disappoint relative to his $16 valuation.
WINGS
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. NYI ($20): Aho's playing his second game in as many nights, but don't let that little detail keep you from using such a skilled scorer against the league's worst defensive team, especially since the Islanders also played in the tristate area Thursday. The 20-year-old sniper has 14 goals and 23 points in his last 20 games while New York's surrendering a league-high 3.67 goals per game.
Josh Anderson, CLS vs. PHI ($14): Anderson had a two-game point streak snapped in his last game, but his eight shots on net in that contest suggest he's still locked-in offensively. His average of 6.0 fantasy points per game is tops among sub-$17 wingers, so expect Anderson's price to start climbing before long. Grab the in-form forward at just $14 while you still can.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Travis Konecny, PHI at CLS ($18): Konecny's been hot of late, but keeping things going will be difficult against Bobrovsky. With just three power-play points all season, Konecny's also unlikely to exploit Columbus' weakness -- a 27th-ranked penalty kill.
Mikko Rantanen, COL at WPG ($21): Rantanen is in the midst of a season-worst 10-game goal drought, as he's clearly missing the open ice created by MacKinnon. Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck is likely to extend that drought, as he's been exceptionally tough to score against at home with a 2.16 GAA and .926 save percentage.
DEFENSEMEN
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at CLS ($23): While he's worked hard to improve other aspects of his game, Gostisbehere's bread and butter still comes with the extra man. Of the talented defenseman's 44 points in 53 games, 24 have come on the power play. Considering Columbus' penalty kill is fifth-worst in the league at just 75.7 percent, Gostisbehere's in prime position for another offensive outburst.
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. NYI ($17): Faulk's offensive-minded style gives him tremendous upside in this favorable matchup. In addition to allowing the most goals per game, New York's killing penalties at the league's second-lowest rate of 73.1 percent. That's music to the ears of a blueliner that recorded a hat trick Tuesday and has scored 14 of his 22 points on the power play.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Greg Pateryn, DAL vs. STL ($18): Pateryn continues to be significantly overpriced, as his average of 4.4 fantasy points per game is the only sub-5.0 mark among defensemen that cost more than $15. Topping that meager average won't be easy against a Blues club that's allowing the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.56).
Alex Pietrangelo, STL at DAL ($25): Pietrangelo's finished with negative fantasy points in three of his last five games, and he'll be in danger of doing so again considering he draws the unenviable task of matching up with Dallas' top line of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov on the road. He's not worth the risk at $25, especially since Pietrangelo hasn't done much on the offensive end recently with just two points in the past eight games.
