This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Friday's four-game NHL slate features some exploitable matchups, with three of the league's four worst teams in action. Read on to see which players are primed to take advantage of their opponents' weaknesses and those that will likely struggle…
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, PHI at BUF ($30): Elliott's been excellent of late, winning six of his past seven starts while holding five of those opponents to two or fewer goals. The still-affordable netminder should have no trouble maintaining that solid form in a matchup with a Sabres team that's scoring a league-low 2.12 goals per game. Should Elliott get the night off following nine consecutive starts, $29 backup Michal Neuvirth would make for a strong alternative if he's able to return from injury.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carey Price, MON at CGY ($35): Price is tied for the most expensive goalie in this slate even though his average of 10.1 fantasy points per game is superior to only two of the seven alternative projected starters. With by far the league's two weakest offenses (Buffalo and Arizona) in action, there's little reason to choose Price against a middling Flames team.
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CENTER
Eric Staal, MIN at FLA ($18): Staal's been an explosive contributor lately, with a trio of two-goal performances in his last 10 games. The veteran center's 31 points and plus-7 rating in 34 games make him a terrific value at $18, especially against a Panthers team that's allowing the third-most goals per game (3.38).
CENTER TO AVOID
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. MON ($21): Monahan's mired in his worst slump of the season, as his helper Wednesday was his first point in six games. Given Price's pedigree, this likely isn't the matchup in which to expect a turnaround.
WINGS
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at ARI ($35): This is the type of situation in which it's worth paying up for Ovechkin. His 23 goals are tied with Nikita Kucherov for the NHL lead, and Ovechkin's three hat tricks this season show that he's capable of singlehandedly delivering victory for owners on his best days. Arizona's 3.44 goals allowed per game are second-most in the league only to the Islanders, so you couldn't hand-pick a better matchup.
Michael Raffl, PHI at BUF ($13): Raffl skated a season-high 18:50 in Wednesday's win over the Red Wings, as he's now operating on the second line alongside Jakub Voracek. His current spot in the lineup and favorable matchup against a Sabres team that's allowing the fourth-most goals per game (3.32) have Raffl in position to add to his five goals, nine points and plus-5 rating from the past 13 games.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Nick Bjugstad, FLA vs. MIN ($17): Bjugstad's average of 5.5 fantasy points per game is easily lowest among wingers priced at $17 or more, as all alternatives are scoring at least 6.2 fantasy points per game. With Wild backup Alex Stalock posting a respectable 2.80 GAA and .913 save percentage, Bjugstad's unlikely to buck that trend here even with Devan Dubnyk (lower body) out.
Brendan Gallagher, MON at CGY ($16): Gallagher's early-season luck is starting to run out, as he's now gone without a point in the past six games and remains stuck on six assists all season. He does have 13 goals, but that high total can be attributed to a 12.4 percent shooting percentage that's still the second-highest total of Gallagher's career behind the 12.8 percent mark from his 44-game rookie season in 2012-13. He's also sporting a career-low minus-4 rating this year, making Gallagher tough to trust at $16.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan Suter, MIN at FLA ($18): Suter's league-leading ice time average of 27:11 allows him to rack up counting stats, and he's been a two-way stud of late with six points and 17 blocks in his last six games. This favorable matchup should allow Suter to stay hot without burning a hole in owners' wallets.
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. MIN ($14): This is a nice buy-low opportunity on Yandle, whose offensive prowess from the blue line makes him an excellent upside play at $14. Not only does Yandle have 19 points in 34 games, but he's also been able to maintain a plus-2 rating despite the defensive shortcomings around him. Minnesota's the definition of mediocre with identical averages of 2.88 goals for and 2.88 goals against, so don't hesitate to throw the veteran blueliner into lineups despite his team's struggles
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at BUF ($23): Buffalo's been a mess at even strength and with the extra man, but the Sabres actually rank a respectable 11th-best on the penalty kill at 82.5 percent. Sixteen of Gostisbehere's 26 points have come on the power play, so he'll have a hard time living up to his lofty price tag if the hosts are able to keep him off the scoresheet in such situations.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN at FLA ($16): Spurgeon's been underwhelming in two games since returning from a nearly month-long absence due to a groin injury, posting a combined minus-2 rating and just one shot on goal. He's also averaging over three fewer minutes than his season average of 25:24 while skating on the second pairing below Suter and Matt Dumba, so the value just isn't there right now despite the favorable matchup.
