This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are four games in the NHL on Friday with the Lightning the lone club playing for a second consecutive night. Vegas is the single notable favorite, whereas Edmonton, Tampa Bay and Detroit are also all receiving notable chalk. Here's a peek around the fantasy landscape ahead of Friday's action.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, EDM at NJ ($31): With Wednesday's return start under his belt, look for Smith to have a solid showing against the lowly Devils. New Jersey ranks 23rd in goals per game and 24th in expected goals at five-on-five for the campaign.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Igor Shesterkin, NYR at TB ($37): This salary is probably still too prohibitive to roll the dice with Shesterkin on the road against the Lightning – even with Tampa Bay playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. The Bolts enter with a 12-3-1 record and have scored 55 goals during the stretch.
CENTER
Nicolas Roy, VGK vs. ANH ($14): This is a reasonable ticket for Roy. He's found the scoresheet in three of the past five games while generating a respectable 16 shot attempts and an impressive eight individual high-danger scoring chances. Roy's also projected to skate with the No. 1 power-play unit.
CENTER TO AVOID
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. WAS ($22): Despite there being just eight teams in action Friday, it's a deep center pool, and Washington hasn't been a favorable matchup this season. The Capitals have surrendered the sixth fewest goals per game, and Larkin is likely eyeing negative regression after racking up five goals and two assists with a 55.6 shooting percentage through his past three outings.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at DET ($34): With just three tallies and a 5.6 shooting percentage through his past 10 games, Ovechkin's a candidate for statistical correction. After all, he ranks 10th in goals and third in shot attempts per 60 minutes for the campaign. The Red Wings have also allowed the eighth most goals per game and rank 26th in penalty-kill percentage, so there's nothing scary about the matchup.
WINGS TO AVOID
Zach Hyman, EDM at NJ ($20): It's been an unimpressive recent stretch for Hyman, as he's registered just three goals, three assists and no power-play points through his past 13 outings. Additionally, he's only reached double-digit fantasy points twice during the noted stretch. The first-year Oiler may also be a chalky target because he's projected to skate with Connor McDavid ($38) in all situations.
Kaapo Kakko, NYR at TB ($17): The top-line gig and potentially favorable matchup against the Lightning -- in the noted vulnerable schedule spot -- are probably still not enough to warrant this salary. Kakko has missed the scoresheet in eight of his past 10 games, after all.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS at NJ ($24): As noted, this sets up as a favorable matchup for the Capitals, and especially the power-play units. Carlson racked up 27.5 fantasy points in his last outing and ranks second in the league in points per 60 minutes among all blueliners over the past three years. It's also worth highlighting his solid floor. He's recorded 41 shots, 17 blocks and a plus-7 rating through the past 14 games.
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. ANH ($19): Anaheim has the second highest team save percentage while shorthanded and ranks third in penalty-kill percentage, so it's not a strong on-paper matchup in that regard. However, the Ducks are missing a lot of regulars and are likely eyeing negative regression on the penalty kill. Theodore is set to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit for Vegas, and he's rounded into top form with three tallies, nine helpers, 21 shots and eight blocks through his past 11 contests.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, NJ vs. EDM ($22): With a minus-12 rating through his past six games, it's tough to spend up for Hamilton against Edmonton. The Oilers haven't been a dominant five-on-five team ranking 17th in goals and have a minus-13 goal differential, but it's likely Hamilton still has a long night matching up against Connor McDavid ($38) and/or Leon Draisaitl ($35).
Jacob Trouba, NYR at TB ($18): Expect Trouba to spend most of his night matched up against one of Tampa Bay's top two lines, which should limit his upside. Additionally, he's only found the scoresheet once while averaging just 0:48 of power-play time through the past six games.
