This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With just four games on tap for Friday, it puts even more emphasis on finding players who will break out, considering there won't be many. The most common strategy in Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey -- and pretty much all daily fantasy sports -- is stacking. In three of the four games, there is a clear favorite and underdog, so you'll want to target players from the teams that project to score the most.
The Penguins get the Blue Jackets at home coming off a big win against the Canadiens on Wednesday. Sidney Crosby has four points in his last four games, so this could be the perfect time to cash in on a big night from him.
Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals get the Calgary Flames at home on the second half of a back-to-back. The Flames allow the most goals per game in the league, and third-stringer Joni Ortio, who allowed six goals in his last start, likely will be in net.
Anaheim's matchup at home against the Islanders is intriguing, as well. The Ducks offense is still ranked last in the NHL, but it has improved in November, averaging less than three goals per game in six contests. The Isles will have their hands full Thursday night against the Kings, so waking up Friday and lining up against Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry won't be fun.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, ANA vs. NYI ($33) - The Isles play their second game in as many nights Friday and are probably dying to get back to the East Coast. Despite scoring four goals Tuesday against the Sharks, New York has averaged just 1.8 goals per game in five November games. Andersen hasn't played great his last two starts, plus his price is a little bit high, but he's lined up for an easy start here. He's also been slightly better at home (2.26 GAA) than on the road (2.43 GAA). If Andersen sits, even better, as Anton Khudobin ($22) would start.
Goalie to Avoid:
Martin Jones, SJ at DET ($30) - Jones was pulled after allowing two goals 3:30 into the first period of Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Islanders. Both goals were pretty bad, and Jones has regressed after opening the season on fire. The Sharks have done a great job limiting shot attempts from their opponents, which only means fewer saves for Jones. The Red Wings' offense has been dormant, but it will get a big boost with Pavel Datsyuk expected to return, so perhaps that, plus Jones in net, will help wake Detroit up.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. CBJ ($22) - I've been burned by Crosby, but his salary is just too low to pass up against the Blue Jackets at home. He did a wonderful job setting up two goals in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Habs and seems on the verge of busting out. Chances are a lot of people will be on Crosby, so he may be worth fading in tournaments, but ride him for cash games.
Center to Avoid:
Frans Nielsen, NYI at ANA ($20) - The Isles' offense has struggled lately, and Nielsen isn't exactly one of its top scoring options to begin with. The two-way center has only a lone assist to show for his last five games. The back-to-back will definitely play a factor, plus Nielsen likely will be asked to contain Corey Perry most of the contest. A few similarly priced Capitals make much more sense: Nicklas Backstrom ($21) and Evgeny Kuznetsov ($20).
WING
Brandon Saad, CBJ at PIT ($20) - This might be a little too cute, but I always enjoy a good homecoming. The last time Saad played in his hometown of Pittsburgh he had an assist with a game-high seven shots on goal. Now, obviously that was with the Blackhawks, and Saad's first season with Columbus has gotten off to a rocky start, but perhaps playing in Pittsburgh will make him a bit more comfortable. Saad plays with a lot of energy and will come out with a head of steam. He's managed to get more shots at the net lately, also a plus.
Andre Burakovsky, WSH vs. CGY ($12) - Burakovsky's playing time has increased steadily the last three games, as the 20-year-old remains in the top six on Nicklas Backstrom's wing. Playing with Backstrom will eventually pay off for Burakovsky, so what better time than against one of the easiest teams to score on in the Flames? Backstrom scored twice against Calgary earlier in the season, and his linemates reaped the benefits.
Wings to Avoid:
Patrick Marleau, SJ at DET ($19) - With trade rumors surrounding Marleau, it has to be harder for him to focus on hockey. And his performance on the ice hasn't been all that great to begin with. The veteran winger has just a goal in his last four games and played just 17:54 in Tuesday's loss to the Isles, his second lowest total of the season. Detroit has allowed one goal in three of its last four games, as well, so the scoring opportunities shouldn't come often for the Sharks on Friday.
Nick Foligno, CBJ at PIT ($16) - Clearly Foligno wasn't ready to take over as captain of the Blue Jackets, struggling to the tune of one goal in 16 games this season. His center, Ryan Johansen, has also seen better days with a similar fate in the goals department. The Penguins are ranked third in goals against, and Foligno will have to deal with Sidney Crosby to make matters worse.
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Russell, CGY at WSH ($18) - Why play a Flames defenseman against the Capitals? The answer is pretty simple. Washington fires more than 30 shots per game, about what how many Calgary allows. Russell has 56 blocked shots going into Thursday, which leads the NHL. There's a chance backup goalie Philipp Grubauer will be in net, which is miles better than facing Braden Holtby. If Russell can pick up an assist and post his usual four-five blocks, he'll provide solid scoring to go with a nice contrarian play in tournaments.
Mike Green, DET vs. SJ ($13) - If Pavel Datsyuk is the missing link for the Red Wings, and the scoring sees a nice boost, Green should get in on some of it. The Sharks haven't been the best penalty killing team, ranking in the bottom third of the league at 77.1 percent. Datsyuk is an absolute wizard on the man advantage, and Green's presence on the point should allow him to benefit.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Johnny Boychuk, NYI at ANA ($22) - It's hard to not recommend Boychuk considering how hot he is, but all that does is drive up his price and ownership. Chances are many will ride his current streak into Anaheim, as he's not only scored in his last two games, but also provides a lot of value in other categories. The thing is, Boychuk has been reliant on those two scores to keep his fantasy numbers up, so unless he finds the back of the net Friday against the Ducks, he isn't going to do much in relation to his cost.
