This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are five games in the NHL on Friday, and it's an interesting slate. The Flames, Capitals and Oilers are all playing their second road game in consecutive nights, and the Washington-Columbus game projects to be the only close matchup. Chicago, Carolina, Edmonton and Toronto are all notable favorites. There's definitely potential for a letdown showing from the Oilers after topping the Bruins on Thursday, though. Here's a peek at the fantasy landscape for the main contests at Yahoo.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Stuart Skinner, EDM at BUF ($25): The 23-year-old netminder is worth a long look as your No. 2 goaltender Friday. Skinner is unproven at the highest level with just two appearances, but Edmonton is a significant favorite, and he did stop 35 of 38 shots Tuesday against the Red Wings.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carter Hart, PHI at CAR ($30): There's definitely contrarian appeal here, especially with Hart sporting a .924 save percentage and 2.48 GAA to start the season. However, the Flyers have surrendered the sixth most expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season, and Carolina ranks third in goals per game.
CENTER
Kirby Dach, CHI vs. ARI ($12): A low-salary target centering Patrick Kane ($31) and Alex DeBrincat ($23) at five-on-five and with the No. 1 power-play unit, Dach warrants a long look. After all, the Coyotes have surrendered the most goals per game and have the worst penalty-kill percentage in the league.
CENTER TO AVOID
Austin Matthews, TOR vs. CGY ($34): As noted, the Flames are playing their second road game in consecutive nights, so this has the potential to be a soft matchup. However, statistically, Calgary has allowed just 2.3 goals per game and boast a respectable 82.9 penalty-kill percentage. Additionally, it could be easier for Calgary to hone in on Matthews if John Tavares ($27) misses a second straight game with an undisclosed injury.
WING
Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. ARI ($22): The high-scoring winger has reached double-digit fantasy points in three of the past four games and is locked into a go-to offensive role. As noted, DeBrincat also has a cushy matchup against the Coyotes and stacks nicely with center Kirby Dach ($12).
Michael Bunting, TOR vs. CGY ($11): This salary lands Bunting in flier territory. He continues to skate at five-on-five with Auston Matthews ($34) and William Nylander ($27), and Bunting is probably eyeing some positive statistical regression after recording just a single goal and two assists through the past 10 games. After all, he's been on the ice for 42 high-danger scoring chances during the noted 10 game stretch, including 13 of his own.
WINGS TO AVOID
Mitch Marner, TOR vs. CGY ($31): As noted, his is a tough statistical matchup for the Maple Leafs, even with Calgary on the noted back-to-back road set. Additionally, Marner could be without his regular center John Tavares ($27). It's a significant fantasy downgrade to have Alex Kerfoot ($13) shift to the middle and Nick Ritchie ($10) join the line.
Cam Atkinson, PHI at CAR ($19): Even with a six-game goal drought, Atkinson still boasts a rock-solid 16.9 shooting percentage. Making matters worse, he lands in a tough matchup Friday with Carolina surrendering the fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league this season.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS at CLS ($21): The Blue Jackets have allowed the fourth most expected goals per 60 minutes and could be ripe for a letdown showing after winning four of their past five games. Carlson's salary hasn't caught up to his recent heater, either. He's collected two goals, four assists, 19 shots and 12 blocks through the past six games.
Timothy Liljegren, TOR vs. CGY ($10): At minimum salary, the 22-year-old defenseman checks out as a potential source of cap relief. He's been on the ice for 32 high-danger scoring chances -- including three of his own -- through the past six games without registering a point.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Darnell Nurse, EDM at BUF ($24): There's a little more risk associated with Nurse considering his position-high salary and the gap between his cap hit and the rest of the defense pool. He's also only reached double-digit fantasy points in five of 12 games this season. While his cross-category contributions present a high-fantasy floor, his power-play time is down to just 0:54 per game, and Edmonton is playing the second leg of a back-to-back road set.
Rasmus Andersson, CGY at TOR ($17): As highlighted, this is a back-to-back set for the Flames, and Toronto ranks third in expected goals per 60 minutes this season. Additionally, the power-play quarterback lands in a tough special-teams matchup with the Maple Leafs ranking seventh with an 86.4 penalty-kill percentage. Andersson also doesn't pile up the counting stats with just 16 shots and 12 blocks through 12 games.
