This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The main contests at Yahoo consist of the five evening games starting at 7 p.m. EST. Los Angeles and Boston represent significant favorites, while the Kraken and Canucks are the only teams not playing for a second consecutive night. Here's a peek at a number of recommendations and fades at each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Jonathan Quick, LA vs. ARI ($33): The Coyotes have scored the fewest goals per game by a considerable margin and only tallied more than three in five of 18 contests. Quick is the biggest favorite on the docket and boasts an elite .940 save percentage and 1.88 GAA for the campaign.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. TOR ($37): The Leafs were shut out Saturday despite registering 64 shot attempts and 32 scoring chances, so look for puck luck to turn in Toronto's favor today. Sorokin is also in a mini funk with four goals allowed in consecutive starts, so this probably isn't an ideal spot to spend up.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR at NYI ($34): With six goals, seven assists, 43 shots, 84 attempts and 23 individual high-danger scoring chances through the past 10 appearances, Matthews is in high-end form. The Islanders haven't impressed defensively having given up 3.07 goals per game and ranking 18th in penalty-kill percentage.
CENTER TO AVOID
Elias Lindholm, CGY at BOS ($30): The Bruins are tied for the fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and Lindholm's cooled down with just a single goal and four assists through his past seven. It's a tough matchup to justify his cap hit.
WING
Mitch Marner, TOR at NYI ($28): A stack candidate alongside Auston Matthews ($34), Marner is in a dry spell with a single goal and assist the last six outings. However, he's been on the ice for 30 high-danger scoring chances during that stretch, so it's probably a little unlucky he hasn't marked the scoresheet more frequently.
Viktor Arvidsson, LA vs. ARI ($16): With two games under his belt since clearing COVID-19 protocols, Arvidsson offers value. He skates in a top offensive role with 10 shots, 12 attempts and four individual high-danger scoring chances the past two games, while Arizona has allowed the most goals per game in the league.
WINGS TO AVOID
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at SEA ($34): The Kraken are tied with the Bruins for fewest expected goals allowed per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and they're one of the only teams not playing a back-to-back set. Obviously, Ovechkin is in the midst of a monster offensive season with 29 points - including 14 goals - through 18 contests, but this fade is more about the potentially tough matchup and high salary.
Andrew Mangiapane, CGY at BOS ($19): Another Flame to be cautious about, Mangiapane has logged consecutive two-goal efforts and is up to 14 tallies with a 29.8 shooting percentage. As noted, this is a tough matchup and his shooting percentage is headed for statistical correction.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CHI at VAN ($20): Producing at a point-per-game through 13 outings, Jones is a strong option against the Canucks. Vancouver ranks last in the NHL in penalty-kill percentage and have surrendered a healthy 3.33 goals per game.
Kale Clague, LA vs. ARI ($10): A minimum-salary target, Clague quarterbacks LA's No. 1 power-play unit and has collected a respectable five assists, six shots and nine blocks through 10 games. While those numbers don't jump off the page, the Coyotes have allowed the most goals per game and rank 30th in PK percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Shayne Gostisbehere, ARI at LA ($19): It's been a bit of a down stretch for Gostisbehere with only two helpers, nine shots and eight blocks through his past five contests. The risk here is also a potential negative plus-minus rating with the Kings giving up the fifth fewest even-strength goals.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. CHI ($18): There's always added risk with Hughes because of his plus-minus woes, and he's also cooled down with just two helpers, nine shots and two blocks from the last five appearances. And before letting in five goals to Edmonton Saturday, the Blackhawks had only surrendered six through their previous four.
