This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are six games included in the main contests at Yahoo on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. EST. The Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Oilers and Flames are all huge favorites, whereas the Lightning-Golden Knights and Coyotes-Sabres matchups are projected to be closer games. It's worth adding that Detroit and Arizona are playing for the second consecutive night. Here's a peek at the fantasy landscape ahead of the action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, TOR at DET ($28): The Toronto netminder was solid last time out with a 27-save, 3-1 victory that netted him 18.2 fantasy points, and as highlighted, Detroit is also playing its second game in consecutive nights. The Red Wings won Friday, but it only improved them to a 4-6-3 record with 32 goals scored since the holiday break. Additionally, their 15.8 percent penalty kill ranks 27th in the league.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Thatcher Demko, VAN at CGY ($31): There are enough values in the goalie pool to steer clear of Demko on Saturday. He's making his first start in 11 days after missing four games while in the COVID-19 protocols, and the Flames have scored 3.64 goals per game since the holiday break.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at MON ($37): With Montreal allowing the most goals per game and ranking 30th in penalty-kill percentage, McDavid is in a statement-game spot. He offers the highest upside of anyone in the league and is also trending in the right direction with five points, including two goals, during Edmonton's current three-game winning streak.
CENTER TO AVOID
Auston Matthews, TOR at DET ($34): While you're obviously fading Matthews at your own risk, spending up for McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl on Saturday is the lean. Toronto has spread out its top scorers over three lines, which has the potential to lower Matthews' fantasy ceiling.
WING
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR vs. NJ ($24): After recording multi-point showings in five consecutive outings, Svechnikov was held off the scoresheet last time out. Look for a bounce-back performance on home ice against the Devils on Saturday. New Jersey has surrendered a healthy 43 goals through 12 games since the holiday break, and Svechnikov has racked up eight tallies and 11 helpers through 16 home games for the campaign.
Kailer Yamamoto, EDM at MON ($11): Projected to skate alongside McDavid in the highlighted matchup, Yamamoto is an upside source of cap relief. He's also shown an uptick in shot volume with 14 attempts and 13 scoring chances, seven of the high-danger variety, through the past three games.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, EDM at MON ($26): This is a hefty ticket for Kane. He hasn't played an NHL game all season, and he's obviously starting fresh with a new club, so taking a wait-and-see approach is probably the right call. Still, know he's projected to skate with Connor McDavid, and it's also a cushy matchup against Montreal's noted porous defense.
Jesper Bratt, NJ at CAR ($19): Carolina allows the fewest goals per game and ranks second in Corsi For percentage at five-on-five, in addition to sporting a dominant 14-4-1 home-ice record, so this is a daunting matchup. Bratt's current 10-game heater (six goals and nine assists) is probably eyeing negative regression, too.
DEFENSE
Evan Bouchard, EDM at MON ($19): Lock the power-play quarterback in at this salary. Bouchard is an excellent addition to an Edmonton stack, and he's scored three goals with 11 shots while averaging 24:59 of ice time (3:48 with the man advantage) through the past three games.
Rasmus Andersson, CGY vs. VAN ($17): This is a reasonable salary to target Andersson at. He's quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and has collected four points, 16 shots and eight blocks through his past five outings, while the Canucks' penalty-kill percentage is the lowest in the league.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Victor Hedman, TB vs. VGK ($25): With Vegas allowing the second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes and ranking second in Corsi For percentage at five-on-five since Dec. 1, this projects as a tough matchup for Hedman. Additionally, the Golden Knights are also as close to being at full health as they've been all season.
Damon Severson, NJ at CAR ($18): Dougie Hamilton's jaw injury has opened the door for Severson to pile up 12 points, including three goals, through his past 10 contests, but don't overlook how tough the matchup he has against Carolina. In addition to the previously noted high-end marks, the Hurricanes also pace the league in penalty-kill percentage.
