This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL is being generous to hockey fans Thursday, as we have a whopping 11 games on the slate. However, one of those games involves the Bruins, who have had a couple games postponed due to COVID-19. The expectation at the moment is for that game to go on, but we can't be certain. However, it's also the Bruins versus the Islanders. If that game happens, I don't expect more than a couple goals. Maybe just skip over that one, though the goalies on those two squads are always enticing. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Juuse Saros, NAS vs. DET ($25): The last time these two teams met Saros recorded a shutout, his fifth start in a row allowing one goal or fewer. Maybe the Finn won't blank the Wings again, but I wouldn't be surprised, as the Wings have only managed 2.15 goals per contest.
GOALIES TO AVOID
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. TAM ($28): The Stars have given Khudobin three straight starts, so maybe he is the clear top goalie again and isn't sharing time with Jake Oettinger. Khudobin does have a 2.46 GAA, but his .910 save percentage indicates the defense has helped a lot. Defenses don't tend to deter the Lightning though, as they lead the league with 3.63 goals per game.
CENTER
Ryan Strome, NYR at PHI ($19): Artemi Panarin drives possession, and since his return the Bread Man has been on Strome's wing. Perhaps not coincidentally, Strome has a six-game point streak. That includes three points over two games against the Flyers, and I could see him adding to that total. The Flyers have a 3.52 GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Pavelski, DAL vs. TAM ($26): The Lightning aren't merely the best offense in the NHL. They are also in the top five in GAA and top 10 in penalty-kill percentage. When Andrei Vasilevskiy is in net they are even more impressive, as the Russian has an 1.83 GAA and .933 save percentage. Pavelski is still a productive player given how deep he is into his career, but he's not on a level where he's matchup-proof.
WING
Bryan Rust, PIT vs. BUF ($24): Pittsburgh and Buffalo are playing their second game in as many nights, but why wouldn't you want a second bite at the apple against the Sabres? Buffalo is reeling, and are now down their top three goalies after trading Jonas Johansson. Rust isn't as productive as his linemates Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel, but that's still a great line to be on.
Zach Hyman, TOR at OTT ($19): The Maple Leafs didn't play Wednesday, but the Senators did, and they also have the highest GAA in the league. This is a matchup I would love to target as much as possible, and I would be happy to stack my lineup with Leafs. Hyman is a good option because he won't chew up as much cap space as a Mitch Marner or a William Nylander, but he still has 11 goals in 30 games and has had 20-goal campaigns in each of his last two seasons.
WINGS TO AVOID
Mark Stone, VGK at COL ($31): Stone has been absolutely on fire, but he's done it on 22.6 percent shooting that is likely to regress. No matter how hot he's been, being on the road against the Avalanche is difficult. Colorado has a 2.26 GAA, third lowest in the NHL, and has allowed a league-low 25.2 shots on net per contest as well.
Patrik Laine, CLM vs. CAR ($16): Laine wanted out of Winnipeg, and he got his wish. So far, though, his stint in Columbus has been a disaster. The Finn has only one goal in his last 13 games, and nine goals total. I don't think he will break out of this funk against a Hurricanes team with a 2.48 GAA and that has only allowed 28.7 shots on net per contest.
DEFENSE
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at CHI ($21): After a hot start, Chicago rookie netminder Kevin Lankinen has a 3.48 GAA and .898 save percentage over his last 10 games. Maybe he's just getting worn out, as the Blackhawks have allowed a league-high 33.9 shots on goal per contest. Ekblad has put 91 shots on net in 32 games, and 10 of those shots have gone in as well.
Justin Schultz, WAS vs. NJD ($15): John Carlson is the primary Washington defenseman on the power play, but Schultz gets some time as well. He's played 1:41 per game with the extra man and has notched six power-play points. The Devils have the league's worst penalty kill, so any time on the power play could be enough to pay off for Schultz.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Cale Makar, COL vs. VGK ($25): Makar is back from a lengthy absence and looks good, but you know who else looks good? Marc-Andre Fleury, and he's been doing it all season. He's notched a 1.93 GAA and .931 save percentage. This is an important matchup for both these teams, so the Golden Knights will almost definitely have their Vezina-vying goalie in net.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. TAM ($18): If Fleury doesn't win the Vezina, Vasilevskiy might. It wouldn't be his first either, and with a 1.83 GAA and .933 save percentage Tampa's netminder is definitely in the running. Additionally, while Klingberg has 10 power-play points this season, only one of them has come in his last 16 games.
