This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Friday's two-game NHL slate beginning at 8:00 PM Eastern time encompasses Game 4 of the Jets-Golden Knights series as well as Capitals-Lightning Game 5. Read on to see which players stand out as values to target and which should be avoided.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. WAS ($35): While Vasilevskiy did drop Games 1 and 2 at home, he's been spectacular over the past two contests with a combined 72 saves on 76 shots. With the league's best regular-season offense (3.54 goals per game) providing support and momentum on his side, the young Russian looks primed to keep rolling.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Braden Holtby, WAS at TB ($31): Holtby had picked things up in the playoffs after a subpar regular season, but he appears to be turning back into a pumpkin after allowing seven goals on 42 shots over the past two games. Given Holtby's recent performance, the downside is massive on the road against the Lightning's top-ranked offense.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at VGK ($27): Scheifele's been historically effective on the road in these playoffs, potting 11 goals through seven away matches. His two-goal performance in Game 3 of this series Wednesday was Scheifele's fifth two-goal game in enemy territory, so he's become a can't-miss option in such situations. If you're only willing to pay top dollar for one forward, Scheifele's as good a choice as any.
CENTER TO AVOID
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at TB ($20): Backstrom finally came back from injury for Thursday's Game 4, suiting up for the first time since May 5. You have to assume he's still operating at less than 100 percent, and Backstrom's 1.6 fantasy points in his return did little to dispel that notion.
WINGS
Brandon Tanev, WPG at VGK ($12): Tanev was promoted to a top-six role with Nikolaj Ehlers (undisclosed) sitting out Game 3, and that high-upside lineup placement would make Tanev a great value in Game 4 should Ehlers sit again. Even if the hard-working winger gets moved back down to a bottom-six role, Tanev's four-game goal streak earlier this postseason suggests he's capable of thriving in those circumstances as well.
Ondrej Palat, TB vs. WAS ($19): Palat was promoted to the top line in Game 3, and he's registered an assist in each of the two games since. Until he slows down in this role, keep rolling out Palat, especially since he's not burning a hole in your wallet at $19. Nine other wingers in this slate cost at least as much.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrik Laine, WPG at VGK ($26): With so many top forwards at the top of their game, Laine's underwhelming postseason has looked even worse by comparison. He's got just four goals and 11 points in 15 games, and has scored 1.6 or fewer fantasy points in three of the last five. Given what you're missing out on by paying up for Laine, it's tough to justify doing so against what has been the stingiest defensive team in these playoffs.
Alex Tuch, VGK vs. WPG ($17): Tuch continues to toil away on the third line and hasn't topped topped 15 minutes of ice time in five games, yet he still costs $17. Living up to that valuation will be tough given Tuch's limited role.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. WPG ($16): Theodore has been a terrific option at home all playoffs, averaging 9.9 fantasy points in six such contests while never dipping below 5.0. His role on Vegas' top power-play unit gives Theodore by far the highest ceiling of any Golden Knights defenseman, and coach Gerard Gallant is able to put Theodore in position to succeed and mask his defensive weaknesses through controlling matchups with last change.
Dmitry Orlov, WAS at TB ($17): Orlov provides a high floor thanks to a well-rounded style that includes healthy contributions in shots and blocks, but the Russian blueliner has also been a consistent offensive contributor this postseason. After opening the scoring in Game 4, Orlov now has two goals and eight points over his last 12 contests. He's scored at least 8.9 fantasy points in half of those contests, which is fantastic for a $17 blueliner.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Matt Niskanen, WAS at TB ($18): It's hard to argue for Niskanen over his teammate Orlov, even with Niskanen dishing out helpers in each of the past three contests. While Orlov has scored at least 8.9 fantasy points six times in the last 12 games, Niskanen has only topped that mark five times in his last 27. Despite that difference in production, Niskanen remains $1 more expensive than Orlov.
Ryan McDonagh, TB vs. WAS ($17): McDonagh's a skilled two-way blueliner, but he's being utilized in an extremely defensive role by the Lightning, which significantly limits his fantasy upside. As a result, the former Rangers captain has produced only one assist without a goal over the past nine games while scoring 3.0 or fewer fantasy points five times in that span. With no shortage of defensemen to choose from in this price range, you can do better.
