This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, CAR at BOS ($36): Andersen has been utterly fantastic this season, recording a .927 save percentage, a 2.07 GAA and a 24-6-1 record with the Hurricanes. Most fantasy players will shy away from a matchup against the Bruins, but Patrice Bergeron (upper body) and Brad Marchand (suspension) have been ruled out. As a result, Andersen could be a contrarian play.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jack Campbell, TOR at CGY ($25): According to Natural Stat Trick, the Flames lead the league by a wide margin in 2022 with 3.49 xGF/60 at even strength. Campbell has been impressive on the road this season with a .919 save percentage. However, he'll be a high-risk option against this red-hot offense.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, STL vs. NJ ($17): O'Reilly has been inconsistent this season, but he's seemingly back on track with 10 points over the last 10 games. He certainly hasn't lost his touch, and this matchup is appealing. Jon Gillies will likely start in net for the Devils, and he has posted a 3.20 GAA this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Tim Stutzle, OTT vs. PIT ($18): The No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, Stuetzle has recorded 23 points, including 10 with the man advantage, through 41 games this year with three points in the last six outings. The 20-year-old leans extra hard on the power play to provide fantasy value. That may not work tonight. The Penguins rank second in the league with an 87.0 percent penalty kill.
WING
Tom Wilson, WAS at MON ($19): Wilson is still scoring at a high rate (16.1 percent shooting), and he's accrued 14 goals and 18 assists through 44 games. Although he's operating on PP1, the rugged winger has posted just five power-play points. That could change Thursday against the Canadiens, who rank 30th in the league with a 73.0 percent penalty kill.
Martin Necas, CAR at BOS ($16): Necas moved up to the top line this week next to Sebastian Aho and across from Jordan Martinook. The speedy winger deserves the opportunity and will look to build on the 23 points he has accrued through 40 games.
WINGS TO AVOID
Patrik Laine, CLS at BUF ($19): Laine is on a tear right now with six goals and three assists across the last four games. However, he's not shooting much (14 shots in that span). He has a massive ceiling, but Laine has been inconsistent enough recently that it's worth fading him when he starts gaining DFS popularity.
Jesper Bratt, NJ at STL ($18): Bratt is making a name for himself this season, but his ceiling may be limited in this matchup. The 23-year-old is averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game, and Ville Husso, who has registered a .941 save percentage and a 1.90 GAA, will likely get the start for St. Louis.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS at MON ($22): Carlson is handling nearly 24 minutes of ice time per night, averaging 2.4 shots and 1.4 blocked shots per game while posting 35 points through 44 outings. He continues to quarterback the top power play, and while Alex Ovechkin (COVID-19) will be out, Carlson, much like Wilson, will look to exploit Montreal's putrid PK.
Devon Toews, COL vs. TB ($22): Toews was a remarkable addition to Colorado's blue line. He has recorded 32 points and a plus-31 rating through 33 games, mostly paired up with Cale Makar. His plus-minus is key for DFS purposes, even though Tampa Bay is coming to town. Darcy Kuemper, who has a .920 save percentage at home, should be able to hold his own and provide Toews with a solid floor along with his typical ceiling.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. PIT ($17): Chabot's floor is intriguing for cash games, but we're searching for more ceiling in tournaments. A third of Chabot's points have come with the man advantage, and as we touched on with Stutzle, the Penguins have a sturdy PK and a stellar goalie in Tristan Jarry.
Ryan McDonagh, TB at COL ($17): McDonagh doesn't carry much offensive upside anymore, and he's not expected to play on the power play Thursday. As noted, Kuemper has been rock solid in the home net for the Avalanche this season. McDonagh struggles to provide a consistent floor too, as he has fired just 50 shots on net through 43 games.
