This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's time to kick off the weekend with six NHL games. Here are the players I would target for your daily fantasy hockey lineup. And, of course, the guys you should avoid as well.
GOALIE
Jordan Binnington, STL at NJD ($31): Binnington hasn't been able to replicate his sensational rookie season, but he's still posted a 2.56 GAA and .911 save percentage. And over his last seven starts, he's produced six wins with a 1.57 GAA and .932 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Devils have scored 2.62 goals per game and have traded away a few key players over the season.
GOALIE TO AVOID
John Gibson, ANA vs. TOR ($24): If you've caught Gibson on the right night recently, you might think he's been on a great run of play. However, those starts have been interspersed with bad ones, as his 3.11 GAA and .902 save percentage over his last eight starts will show. You might also consider Gibson because the Maple Leafs are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. Don't get too cute. The Maple Leafs have scored 3.49 goals per game, highest in the NHL.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. CHI ($19): Larkin is on a terrible team, but he's recently been playing some excellent hockey with nine points over his last seven games. The Blackhawks have allowed a whopping 36.3 shots on net per contest on the road and are also on the back end of consecutive nights. They've also traded Robin Lehner, which was a big hit to their goaltending tandem.
CENTER TO AVOID
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. COL ($21): Horvat is overshadowed by Elias Pettersson, but he's still enjoying a decent season with 52 points in 66 games. Being at home might not help him as much as you would expect, as the Avalanche have compiled a 2.35 GAA on the road - lowest in the NHL. On top of that, Pavel Francouz has impressed with a 2.30 GAA and .927 save percentage.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. TOR ($18): It seemed like Rakell was unlucky last season when he managed a 9.3 shooting percentage. Somehow, he's been even unluckier this year with a 7.9 shooting percentage. The 26-year-old has at least stayed active offensively with 41 shots on goal in his last 11 games. As for the Maple Leafs, they have struggled with a 3.44 road GAA and are also on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Alex DeBrincat, CHI at DET ($15): The Blackhawks may be playing their second game in as many days, but this is still a matchup with the Red Wings and their NHL-worst 3.75 GAA along with the 30th-ranked penalty kill. DeBrincat has tallied 14 points - including 10 goals - on the power play, so this could work out nicely for him.
WINGS TO AVOID
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. ARI ($21): This is matchup related, as it has been business as usual for Tkachuk recently. However, the Coyotes have recorded a 2.59 GAA, third lowest in the NHL. They've also maintained the sixth-ranked penalty kill. Tkachuk has notched 18 of his 57 points with the extra man, so it might be hard for him to add to that Friday.
Reilly Smith, VGK at WPG ($18): Smith is having a solid season, but he only has five points with the extra man. That means he's not likely to take advantage of Winnipeg's 23rd-ranked penalty kill. And he'll have to face Connor Hellebuyck with his 2.64 GAA and .920 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Colton Parayko, STL at NJD ($18): Parayko has notched seven of his nine goals while adding seven assists in his last 15 games. It's not terribly surprising, as he's directed 47 shots on net during that time. The Devils, for their part, have allowed 32.7 shots on goal per contest while struggling with a 3.23 GAA.
Samuel Girard, COL at VAN ($17): Girard gets overshadowed by Cale Makar, but he's still got 34 points in 66 games - including five across his last five. Meanwhile, the Canucks have allowed 33.2 shots on net per game. Jacob Markstrom is injured, which likely means Thatcher Demko and his 3.08 GAA/.904 save percentage will be in net.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. ARI ($20): Giordano is back from injury, but this has to be a disappointing season. He's only registered 31 points in 58 games, in part due to a 3.2 shooting percentage. As previously noted, the Coyotes have a 2.59 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. COL ($19): Edler has posted decent numbers with 30 points in 56 games, but he's had to work harder to get there. The Swede used to rack up his stats on the power play, but with Quinn Hughes around he's only averaged 1:15 per game with the extra man. The Avalanche own the 13th-ranked penalty kill, so Edler probably won't be able to take advantage. And he'll also have to face a team with a 2.35 road GAA.
