This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Editor's note: This article changed after it was posted, replacing Petr Mrazek with teammate Jimmy Howard, who is scheduled to start Friday, as the "Goalie to Avoid."
All eyes will be on the Wild-Red Wings matchup Friday, with both teams in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Wild are in a better position lately thanks to a five-point cushion, but for the Red Wings, who have played one more game than the Flyers and are two points behind, every game is a must-win now.
The Red Wings' playoff streak stands at 24 seasons, and Henrik Zetterberg doesn't want to be the known as the captain who ended that streak. They'll come out all cylinders firing, especially at the Joe, and if they can get Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou's speed to put the Wild defense on its heels, they have a chance.
The biggest deciding factor, however, will be goaltending. With Petr Mrazek seemingly struggling from fatigue with a career-high 53 appearances already, the Wings will turn to the embattled Jimmy Howard, who has just 11 wins this season and the worst numbers of his career. In an era in which goalies continue to get better and better, Howard has stagnated, failing to post a save percentage above .910 for three straight seasons. That coach Jeff Blashill is turning to Howard is worrying, because down the stretch the Red Wings just simply can't depend on Howard. If the Wild score a few early goals -- and it's quite possible they will -- Blashill will have a very tough decision on his hands: pull Howard knowing that he won't be trusted to play a single game the rest of the season, or throw a tired Mrazek into a tough situation knowing he won't have much left in the tank come playoff time.
While the playoff race provides the most intrigue, DFS players should turn their attention the Ducks-Canucks matchup for the best possible fantasy returns. The Ducks offense is the league's best in the second-half of the season and the improvement has been substantial.
The Canucks just snapped a nine-game losing streak Thursday against San Jose. It's an encouraging sign, but it must be noted that the Sharks are horrendous at home (they blame the ice) and the first game of a back-to-back for Vancouver. They had to work very hard for it, too, almost blowing a two-goal lead before Jannik Hansen restored a lead with a slap shot Martin Jones should have saved. Their roster has been so depleted they've had to go back to Chris Higgins, who was waived earlier this season to make space for younger players. Jacob Markstrom has been very good, but even his best performances end up with the Canucks losing. Don't forget, the Ducks just pumped eight goals past Calgary in their previous game.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANH vs. VAN ($35) - There's no shortage of good goalies playing Friday, but Gibson ranks fifth in price even though he has the best chance of winning. The Canucks, losers of nine straight, should be afraid that the Ducks were able to score eight goals against the Flames. Gibson left the game against Calgary in the second period after colliding with Hampus Lindholm, but finished the without any problems.
Goalie to Avoid:
Jimmy Howard, DET vs. MIN ($26) - There's a good reason why Howard is the cheapest goalie on the list: he simply just hasn't been very good. He's lucky that Jonas Hiller and Ondrej Pavelec are imploding, and that Petr Mrazek has helped the Wings stay afloat this season, but for the first time in his NHL career Howard could finish the season with a losing record. His numbers are at a three-year low and his future in Motown is murky, at best. There will be an incredible amount of pressure on the Wings, and perhaps that's why they elected to go with the veteran Friday and give Mrazek some much-needed rest, but that's not a good situation to be in. The Wild have won six of their past seven, scoring 14 goals in their last three games.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH vs. VAN ($25) - He's traditionally feasted on the Canucks with 11 goals and 38 points in 42 career games against them, and coming off an 8-2 romp of Calgary, scoring on them shouldn't be too difficult. As well as Jacob Markstrom plays, the Ducks offense is just too good and too deep to be contained. Among the 10 priciest centers for Friday, Getzlaf's by far the best and safest pick.
Center to Avoid:
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at COL ($21) - Normally, Backstrom's a no-brainer pick, but with the Caps clinching the Presidents' Trophy, it gives Barry Trotz some incentive to sit Backstrom and let him rest. Backstrom's offense has dried up a little recently, and the Caps have to be careful they don't take their foot off the pedal too much, but they should be able to the beat the Avs quite easily.
WING
Corey Perry, ANH vs. VAN ($29) - Ryan Getzlaf/Corey Perry is no longer really a thing with Bruce Boudreau preferring to balance the lines out, but the two are still paired together from time to time, especially on the power play where the Ducks should have a huge advantage. The Canucks are frustrated and no one can agitate quite like Ryan Kesler, Perry and their merry band, so there's a good chance special teams will play a role.
Patrick Kane, CHI at WPG ($25) - Kane has just two assists in his last five games and had a horrendous minus-3 rating in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota, but all signs point toward a bounce back against the depleted Jets. Ondrej Pavelec isn't much of a test, and even with the Blackhawks struggling, they're still the favorite heading in. Kane and Jonathan Toews playing together is usually a good thing, and Toews will be looking to put in a strong performance in front of his hometown crowd.
Wings to Avoid:
Blake Wheeler, WPG vs. CHI ($27) - He's on a six-game point streak even though the team has lost three straight, showing both how consistent he can be, but also how even on his best nights he can't lift the Jets to a win. Chicago is a tough opponent and don't underestimate how good Scott Darling is against Canadian teams. Wheeler's job would be easier with Duncan Keith out of the lineup, but don't expect him to deliver the moon.
Jason Pominville, MIN at DET ($20) - He's been a disappointment all season with just 35 points and hasn't scored a goal since March 1. He's had just two assists since then and just recently came back from a lower-body injury. True, Mrazek might get chased again, but it's better to just go with a better player than gambling on Pominville, who needs goalies to screw up to have a good night.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS at STL ($22) - His only problem is that he doesn't score many goals (3) despite shooting a lot (225), but shots count for something as well. In that regard, along with his 90 blocked shots, he's a consistent contributor even if he rarely scores. The Blues will be tough and their goalies have been on fire recently, but that doesn't mean Krug can't make a difference with a few shots on goal or a few blocked shots.
Shea Theodore, ANH vs. VAN ($16) - Cam Fowler ($17), Sami Vatanen ($21) and Hampus Lindholm ($22) are good options, but Theodore probably provides the best value if you had to pick a Duck. During his most recent callup, he looks vastly improved, averaging more than 20 minutes per game in his last three. Offense is the name of the game for Theodore, who might possess the most raw offensive potential between the four Ducks defenseman, making him a great pick against a team that can't score and can't win. If he goes on a good run here, he'll have cemented his spot on the roster next season. It could happen.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. BOS ($23) - He has just 30 points this season and two assists in his last seven games, and is one of those players who's far better in real life than in fantasy. The Bruins won't be the toughest opponent the Blues have faced in the midst of their five-game winning streak, but should nonetheless put up a fight, at least more so than Vancouver or Colorado. Pietrangelo's offense just doesn't have enough upside to justify a roster spot.
Erik Johnson, COL vs. WAS ($18) - He has a minus-6 rating over his past four games and has just 26 points this season. With Braden Holtby expected to start, scoring will be that much more difficult for the Avs, including Johnson, who has seemingly taken a backseat to Francois Beauchemin ($17) on the blue line this season. The 28-year-old is in his prime but has missed time due to injury over the past two seasons, and the Avs remain hapless on defense, which is not good against the league's best team.
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