This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There's no shortage of NHL action Friday, with nine games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM ET. The key to building a winning lineup is maximizing bang for the buck while avoiding overpriced players, so read on to see which players to target and which guys to stay away from.
GOALIE
James Reimer, FLA vs. BUF ($23): Reimer hasn't done fantasy owners any favors lately, but you won't get a better opportunity to buy low on Roberto Luongo's backup. He's dirt-cheap at just $23 and should benefit from a juicy home matchup against the Sabres. Buffalo's scoring the second-fewest goals per game in the league (2.39) and is even less dangerous offensively now after its annual trade deadline sell-off.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Antti Niemi, MON at NYI ($28): While Niemi's held two of his past three opponents to one goal, it's fair to be skeptical of his ability to maintain that form considering those are his only two starts with fewer than two goals allowed this season. Montreal's 29th-ranked offense is tough to rely on for support, but Niemi will likely need plenty of it to beat an Islanders team that makes up for porous defense with a seventh-ranked attack that's producing 3.20 goals per game.
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CENTER
Ryan Spooner, NYR at CGY ($18): Spooner has thrived with his new club, dishing out five helpers in two games since being acquired from Boston in the Rick Nash deal. A Flames team that's missing starting netminder Mike Smith (groin) is going to have a hard time slowing Spooner's momentum. Calgary's 2-4-1 with 25 goals allowed over the past seven games.
CENTER TO AVOID
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. NSH ($22): Horvat's average of 7.0 fantasy points per game is the lowest among centers that cost at least $19. That stat would make him a poor choice even in an average matchup, and a Nashville team that's allowing the third-fewest goals per game (2.50) is far tougher than the average opponent.
WINGS
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. OTT ($26): Given his recent form and opponent, anything short of a multi-point outing in this one should frankly be viewed as a disappointment for Smith. The talented forward has worked his way onto the scoresheet in all but two of his last 15 games, compiling nine goals and 12 assists during that stretch. His ceiling is astronomical against a Senators team that allows the second-most goals per game (3.44), while a plus-32 rating that ranks second in the entire NHL also gives Smith a high floor.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON at NYI ($14): Galchenyuk is just two points off the team lead shared by Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher, both of whom are priced at $17. While nobody's going to mistake the mercurial American for a defensive stalwart, Galchenyuk has as much offensive talent as anybody on the Canadiens, as evidenced by his team-high 18 power-play points. His upside is well worth the risk at just $14, especially against an Islanders team that allows the most goals per game (3.53) and kills penalties at the league's second-lowest rate (74.3 percent).
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WINGS TO AVOID
Tomas Hyka, VGK vs. OTT ($16): It seems like everything the Vegas Knights have touched this season has turned to gold, but Hyka's price is a bit too high even when accounting for the excellent roster around him. The bottom-six winger's single point in four NHL appearances this season and average ice time of 12:16 make him a poor pick at $16 despite the favorable matchup.
Cam Atkinson, CLS at ANH ($25): Atkinson's been brutal away from Columbus this season, with just eight points and a minus-5 rating in 21 road tilts. That production is befitting of a player that's half his price, and a matchup with a Ducks club that's holding opponents to the eighth-fewest goals per game (2.67) doesn't help Atkinson's outlook any.
DEFENSEMEN
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. DET ($23): Byfuglien had a six-game point streak snapped by the Predators on Tuesday, but he managed to post 7.5 fantasy points in that contest, and Big Buff still has a goal and 10 assists over the past seven games. His strong recent form should carry over into this matchup with a subpar Red Wings team that's won just 26 of 63 games this season. It also helps that this contest will be played in Winnipeg, as Byfuglien's produced three goals and 20 assists to go with a plus-16 rating in 27 home contests this season compared to just one goal, 10 assists and a minus-6 rating in 24 road tilts.
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. NYR ($19): Giordano's ability to contribute across the board keeps his floor as high as it can get for a sub-$20 player, as evidenced by his five consecutive games with at least 6.5 fantasy points heading into this one. The three-time 47-point scorer isn't short on upside, either, especially with a Rangers team that's allowed 28 goals over its past six games in town.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Erik Karlsson, OTT at VGK ($25): Karlsson's finished with a negative rating in each of his last five appearances, dropping his season mark to minus-31. His precipitous decline in that category is likely to continue while offense will be hard to come by against a Golden Knights team that averages 3.43 goals per game and gives up only 2.71.
Trevor Daley, DET at WPG ($17): With just 11 points and an average of 4.4 fantasy points per game, Daley hasn't earned his $17 price tag. Using him in this nightmare matchup against a Jets team that's 23-7-2 in its own building is just asking for trouble.
