This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Happy Valentine's Day! Maybe you have romantic plans tonight, but if not, there are four NHL games on the slate. Hey, maybe you can go to one of them on a date! Either way, here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. SAN ($31): Hellebuyck has had to shoulder a big load, but he's been up to the task to the tune of a 2.71 GAA and .919 save percentage. Fortunately for him, this should be an easier night. The Sharks have only averaged 2.59 goals and 29.2 shots on net per contest, and are now without Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carey Price, MON at PIT ($35): Like Connor Hellebuyck, Price comes in with a 2.71 GAA. However, that's where the similarities end. Price is on the road against a Penguins' team that has averaged 3.25 goals per game, and they have a healthy Sidney Crosby and just added Jason Zucker to the lineup.
CENTER
Pierre-Luc Dubois, CLM vs. NYR ($20): Both the Blue Jackets and Rangers are on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Rangers are the ones stuck on the road. New York has given up 35.3 shots on net per game away from home, and it likely will be even more porous playing its second game in as many nights. I like those environs for Dubois, who has racked up 43 points over 58 games.
CENTER TO AVOID
Phillip Danault, MON at PIT ($17): It's a good day for most of the centers you would consider using, but not for Danualt. Tristan Jarry has impressed with a 2.18 GAA and .929 save percentage, and even Matt Murray has looked better in 2020 by posting a 2.38 GAA and .924 save percentage.
WING
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR vs. NJD ($23): Svechnikov has shown why he was the second overall pick in 2018, as he's already emerged as one of the league's best wingers. Thanks to a five-game point streak, the Russian now has 52 points in 56 games - and he's still only a teenager. The Devils have produced a 3.52 road GAA, and if that isn't enough for you they are also on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Martin Necas, CAR vs. NJD ($12): Andrei Svechnikov is great, but what if you want to take advantage of this excellent matchup and save a few bucks? Then Necas provides a great option, as he's skating on Carolina's second line and has recorded 14 goals and 15 assists in 52 games. The rookie has also recently tallied two power-play goals, which could mean more time with the extra man.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, SAN at WPG ($20): What happens when your team's top two centers are both injured? You end up skating on San Jose's first line with Barclay Goodrow as your pivot. That's the situation Kane finds himself in. As I noted earlier, Connor Hellebuyck has done well with a 2.71 GAA and .919 save percentage. And at home, that GAA slightly improves to 2.68.
Kyle Palmieri, NJD at CAR ($18): Palmieri has surpassed 20 goals once again, but Nico Hischier is dealing with an injury and the Devils are also on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. The real concern here is that Palmieri may not get many opportunities against the Hurricanes, as they've only allowed 27.9 shots on net per game at home - the lowest mark in the NHL.
DEFENSE
Jaccob Slavin, CAR vs. NJD ($17): With Dougie Hamilton out, Slavin has stepped in to shoulder the load. He's notched a point in six of his last seven games, including his first two power-play points on the year. That's because with no Hamilton in the lineup, Slavin has assumed Hamilton's role on Carolina's top power-play unit. As for the Devils, they have a 3.44 GAA that is only better than the Red Wings.
Josh Morrissey, WPG vs. SAN ($12): After a long drought, Morrissey has points in back-to-back games. That gives him 27 points in 56 games. As for the Sharks, they have registered a 3.48 GAA in away contests.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR at CLM ($20): In addition to being on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, DeAngelo will be facing a Columbus team that has been better than anybody else at home. That's not just talk. The Blue Jackets have a 2.06 GAA and have only allowed 27.9 shots on net per game at home, both ranked tops in the NHL. And Columbus decided to save Elvis Merzlikins and his .930 save percentage for this one.
Jeff Petry, MON at PIT ($17): Petry's first big NHL breakout came while Shea Weber was injured, but he has been held without a point in five of his last six games with Weber out now. This is primarily about the matchup, as the Penguins have a 2.46 home GAA and obviously Tristan Jarry - with his 2.18 GAA on the campaign - has managed better numbers in Pittsburgh.
