Friday night is light for the NHL. Hey, for this league Thursdays and Saturdays are usually quite busy. Fridays have to be a slim slate to make that viable. There are three games on the docket. Here are my players to target, and to avoid, for your DFS lineups.
GOALIE
Vitek Vanecek, NJD vs. CHI ($23): No sugarcoating here. Vanecek has been bad this season, and it is viable Nico Daws is going to swipe his spot as the number-one goalie for the Devils. However, Jersey plays Vancouver on Saturday. I imagine it would save Daws for that one, leaving Vanecek with an easy matchup. Chicago looks to be settling in at 31st in goals and shots on net per game, ahead of only San Jose. Also, the Blackhawks are on the second leg of a back-to-back for good measure.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Laurent Brossoit, WPG at ANA ($23): Brossoit has a .912 save percentage backing up Connor Hellebuyck, and the Ducks rank 29th in goals per game. The reason why Brossoit is in line for the start Friday, though, is because Hellebuyck started Thursday. That means the Jets are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. I don’t think Brossoit is good enough to go with in this situation.
CENTER
Connor Bedard, CHI at NJD ($22): Bedard is the Blackhawks offense. He has 33 points in 38 games, and is maybe the only reason the team isn’t vying with the Sharks for the worst offensive team in the NHL. New Jersey is in the bottom five in GAA, so while I would start one of its goalies given the matchup, I would also roster Bedard as the sole bright spot for Chicago.
CENTER TO AVOID
Dylan Strome, WAS vs. CAR ($16): Stome has been moved off the first line down to the third line, and that’s frankly enough for me. That’s only the beginning, though. While the Hurricanes’ goaltending has been dicey, they are middling in terms of GAA because they have allowed a mere 25.9 shots on net per game, lowest in the NHL.
WING
Tyler Toffoli, NJD vs. CHI ($23): Toffoli was already in a key role for the Devils, but with Timo Meier and Ondrej Palat both banged up, he might even have a larger role than usual. Given the fact he has 27 points in 36 games, that’s a good thing. What’s also a good thing is facing Chicago, who will likely be starting Arvid Soderblom, who has an .874 save percentage.
Cole Perfetti, WPG at ANA ($16): Perfetti has been on a nice run, having picked up five points and 22 shots on net over his last eight games. I know the Jets are on the second leg of a back-to-back, but the Ducks aren’t an imposing matchup….