This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a unique night in the NHL with five of the six teams in action on the front end of a back-to-back set, so it'll be important to check in to see if any backup goalies are starting Friday. Colorado opened as enormous favorites with Minnesota and Florida also receiving notable home-ice chalk. Here's a peek at the fantasy landscape ahead of the action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, COL vs. ARI ($31): Before allowing eight goals with an .800 save percentage through his past two appearances, Kuemper won seven straight with a .929 mark. The Coyotes check out as a bounce-back opponent with the Coyotes averaging the second fewest goals per game this season. If Pavel Francouz ($26) starts for the Avs, he's also a high-end option.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jake Oettinger, DAL at FLA ($26): The Panthers have scored 30 goals through their past five home games, so this isn't an ideal matchup to target Oettinger. Just note the 23-year-old netminder has won four straight to improve to 9-2 with a .923 save percentage and 2.20 GAA for the campaign.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, COL vs. ARI ($30): Not only is Kadri pacing the league in points per 60 minutes, he's sporting a 13-game point streak consisting of six tallies and 17 helpers. Additionally, the veteran pivot has racked up an impressive 22 shots, 29 attempts and 12 scoring chances through his past four outings.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Pavelski, DAL at FLA ($23): Expect the Panthers to have a plan for Pavelski on Friday. He's been scorching hot to the tune of six goals and eight assists through the past seven games, and while his 23.1 shooting percentage isn't off-the-chart high, maintaining his current rate of production is probably unlikely. Additionally, with Florida's potent offense, there's added plus-minus risk with Pavelski.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANH at MIN ($16): The Wild are projected to be missing all kinds of key cogs Friday, so this could prove to be a favorable matchup for Rakell and the Ducks. The veteran winger is locked into a scoring role, and he's eyeing positive regression in the goals column. Rakell has gone 14 games without finding the back of the net despite registering 26 shots, 57 attempts, 33 scoring chances and 13 individual high-danger scoring chances.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, COL vs. ARI ($16): A stack candidate alongside expected center Nazem Kadri ($30), Aube-Kubel has found the scoresheet in three consecutive games, including posting multi-point showings in back-to-back outings. It's also a cushy matchup with Arizona allowing the most goals per game in the league.
WINGS TO AVOID
J.T. Compher, COL vs. ARI ($18): This is a hefty salary for Compher considering he's recorded just two goals, an assist and 14 shots through nine games since returning from an upper-body injury in mid-December. It's worth highlighting his inclusion on the No. 1 power-play, but that added value is probably offset by his even-strength role skating on the third line.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL vs. ARI ($30): Finding creative ways to include Makar in your lineups is encouraged until he slows down or his salary becomes too prohibitive. It's an especially soft matchup Friday, as noted, and Makar paces all defensemen in points per 60 minutes since entering the league. For perspective, he ranks 47th in goals and 45th in points per 60 among all skaters this year.
Cam Fowler, ANA at MIN ($14): This could be a sneaky matchup, and Fowler is projected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit Friday. He's experienced in the role, and the veteran has also posted solid counting stats this season with 19 points, 65 shots and 57 blocks through 38 contests.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA vs. DAL ($18): There's been inconsistent minutes with the man advantage for Weegar over the past month, and he isn't projected to skate with either power-play unit Friday. Weegar hasn't been overly impressive of late, either. He's collected six points through his past 11 contests.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL at FLA ($17): This fade is entirely based on the daunting matchup against Florida and Heiskanen's role. Expect the young blueliner to spend the majority of his night lined up against Florida's top two lines, which poses a significant plus-minus risk. Florida ranks third in Corsi For percentage and second in five-on-five goals percentage on home ice this season, after all.
