This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Right now, Jeopardy is in the process of deciding who is the greatest of all time in a big television event. It's got my attention, but so do the 11 NHL games Thursday. It's a busy day in hockey land, and here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy hockey lineup. I will not be phrasing my recommendations in the form of a question.
GOALIE
Elvis Merzlikins, CLM at SAN ($31): Since taking over for the injured Joonas Korpisalo, Merzlikins has posted a 2.01 GAA and .940 save percentage. The Blue Jackets have also only allowed 29.9 shots on net per game, while the Sharks have averaged a mere 29.1 shots on goal per contest. Plus, Logan Couture is out with a broken ankle, taking San Jose's best forward out of the lineup.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jacob Markstrom, VAN at FLA ($35): Markstrom was on a nice stretch, but in his last start he just gave up six goals on 21 shots to the Lightning. Sure, Tampa has one of the best offenses in the NHL, but Florida is right behind them. The Panthers have averaged 3.49 goals per game themselves.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS vs. WPG ($20): Goals have been a little hard to come by for Krejci, but he does have 20 assists. He's also notched 10 points on the power play. That's notable here, because the Jets have the league's worst penalty kill. Also, Winnipeg is on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back, and that could mean Laurent Brossoit (3.51 GAA, .889 save percentage) in net.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mark Scheifele, WPG at BOS ($25): On the flip side of that Jets-Bruins game, Scheifele is having a fine campaign, but like I said the Jets are on the road for the second game in as many nights. Also, while Winnipeg has the league's worst penalty kill, Boston has the second best, plus a 2.43 GAA as well.
WING
Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. NAS ($17): DeBrincat has started 59.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among Chicago forwards. While he's still only shooting at an 8.1 percent clip, he does have five points in his last six contests. For some reason, the goaltending in Nashville has fallen apart, as the team has an .888 save percentage. The Predators also have a bottom-five penalty kill.
Alex Tuch, VGK vs. LOS ($13): In keeping with the Jeopardy tournament, let's hear it for guys named Alex. Tuch started the season hurt, but he has 13 points in 29 games since getting healthy. He's also started 61.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, tops among forwards. The Kings have a real home/road split defensively, and they have a 3.52 GAA in away games. They are also on the second leg of a back-to-back Thursday.
WINGS TO AVOID
Alexander Radulov, DAL at ANA ($19): Dallas' top line has struggled this year, and Radulov's minutes are considerably down, including on the power play. The Russian is also shooting less, as he's taken only 99 shots in 40 games. The Stars are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and John Gibson has a 2.60 GAA and .915 save percentage at home.
Sam Reinhart, BUF at STL ($17): The Sabres are dealing with injuries, but Reinhart is still healthy, even if there is a little less talent around him. He notched a power-play point in his last game, but it was his first in 13 contests. Jordan Binnington has shown that he's no fluke, as he has a 2.53 GAA and .917 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM at SAN ($18): Werenski has been as hot as any defenseman since returning from injury, as he has 12 points in his last 11 games, including a robust nine goals. Will that pace continue? Almost certainly not, but the Sharks have a 3.33 GAA and .889 save percentage, so one more night could be in the works at the very least.
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR vs. NJD ($17): DeAngelo has started 56.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Rangers. That's helped him tally 31 points in 42 games, though 10 of those have come on the power play. As for the Devils, they have a 3.43 GAA, which is highest in the NHL, Non-Red Wings Division.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at TAM ($18): Though he had three points in his last game, Ekman-Larsson has still had a disappointing season so far, as he's only tallied 20 points in 45 games. Andrei Vasilevskiy was off to a slow start for the Lightning as well, but he's starting to look like his old self. Over his last 12 games he has a 2.32 GAA and .924 save percentage.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL at ANA ($17): Heiskanen has seven goals on the season, but none of them have come in his last 14 games. He's also had issues on the power play, as he only has four points with the extra man. The Ducks have had issues on the penalty kill, but that may not come into play here. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, John Gibson has a 2.60 GAA and .915 save percentage at home.
