This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There's snow on the ground all over the United States and Canada. It's the perfect weather for hockey, and for daily fantasy puck. There are four games Sunday, with several teams playing their second game in as many nights. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy purposes.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. BUF ($30): Allen started Saturday, but with Carter Hutton banged up the odds seem good he'll start again Sunday. He should be OK, considering that the Blues had an afternoon game, and they handled the Red Wings with ease. Plus, matchups don't get any easier than this, as the Sabres have scored a meager 2.14 goals per contest.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Robin Lehner, BUF at STL ($25): The pickings here weren't great, especially since so many teams are on a back-to-back and projected starts seem likely to change. That's not the case with Lehner. He's played well in his last two starts, but he still has a 2.92 GAA and a .909 save percentage. Buffalo is also 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, while St. Louis has won three in a row.
CENTER
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. EDM ($19): After scoring 12 points in 12 games, Kadri has been held without a point for three contests. However, in those games he's notched 15 shots on goal, so it's not like he hasn't been involved. The Oilers had a team GAA of 3.39 before Saturday's game, and with Cam Talbot out, Laurent Brossoit on zero days of rest or the unproven Nick Ellis will be on goal. Either bodes well for Kadri. Also boding well? Edmonton's league-worst penalty kill.
CENTER TO AVOID
Eric Staal, MIN at SAN ($19): The Sharks will be on the second night of a back-to-back, but since both of their goalies have played so well, it won't matter as much. Likely Sunday starter Martin Jones has a 2.42 GAA and a .919 save percentage. San Jose ranks in the top two in team GAA, shots allowed per game and penalty-kill percentage. That all should be an issue for Staal, who has been held without a point in four of his last five tilts.
WING
Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. ARI ($17): The rookie has impressed, tallying 12 goals thus far. His play has earned him the opportunity to skate on Chicago's top line, and he has eight points in his last seven contests. The Coyotes, who have the worst team GAA in the NHL, will be on the second night of a back-to-back. That will likely mean Scott Wedgewood (2.97 GAA, .908 save percentage) will man the net. There's no reason to think this is the matchup that will slow DeBrincat down.
Milan Lucic, EDM at TOR ($17): Lucic has started 59.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's getting to skate on a line with Connor McDavid. Both are positives for him. He also has 10 points in his last 10 contests. Since Toronto is on the second night of a back-to-back, Curtis McElhinney will likely be in net for the Leafs. He currently has a 3.06 GAA and a .900 save percentage.
WINGS TO AVOID
Joe Pavelski, SAN vs. MIN ($22): Pavelski had two points last night, but it was only his second multipoint game this season, and he only has two goals in his last 15 contests. The Sharks will be on the second night of a back-to-back, while Minnesota will be rested. The Wild sit middle of the pack in team GAA (2.96), but their penalty kill ranks eighth.
Max Domi, ARI at CHI ($16): Domi has struggled this year, as he's only averaged 4.6 fantasy points per contest. Corey Crawford is now back for the Blackhawks, and he has a 2.27 GAA and a .930 save percentage. Chicago is also fifth in penalty-kill percentage. Steer clear of every Coyote. Domi just happens to be the most expensive.
DEFENSEMEN
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at TOR ($17): Klefbom hasn't had a lot of puck luck yet, but he scored a goal Saturday, which is a step in the right direction. He also has 81 shots on net in 28 games, and he's blocked 58 shots as well. As previously noted, the Maple Leafs will likely have McElhinney their backup goalie in net. Toronto has allowed 34.0 shots on net per contest, which doesn't make for a winning combo with McElhinney. Unless you have Klefbom in your lineup, of course.
Duncan Keith, CHI vs. ARI ($15): Keith hasn't scored a goal yet, but he has put 72 shots on net. Eventually, he will light the lamp. In the meantime, he has 14 assists and 56 blocked shots. Maybe this will be the night Keith finally scores, given this matchup. No team has allowed more goals per game than the Coyotes, and now they are on the second night of a back-to-back.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at CHI ($17): While Ekman-Larsson has 18 points, he has none in his last five contests. Now he will be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back taking on the Blackhawks. Crawford has a 2.27 GAA and a .930 save percentage, and Chicago has the fifth-ranked penalty kill. That doesn't bode well for Ekman-Larsson, because eight of his points have come with the extra man.
Mathew Dumba, MIN at SAN ($17): Dumba has averaged 5.1 fantasy points per game, and there are several defensemen at the same price or cheaper who have averaged more. Part of it is that he's only put 46 shots on net in 28 games. The Sharks have been excellent at suppressing shots, and as noted earlier, they are near the top of the league in most defensive categories.
