This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Happy Halloween! The NHL is making sure you can have the evening to yourself, as four of the five games are taking place in the afternoon. Yahoo's main contest slate begins at 4 p.m. ET, so it doesn't include the 1 p.m. ET start. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. MON ($28): It has admittedly not been a good season for Gibson. However, this is the kind of matchup where that may not matter. The Canadiens are on the road for their second game in as many days, while the Ducks are at home and rested. Also, Montreal has only averaged 1.89 goals and 28.0 shots on net. The Habs are punchless on offense and have iffy goaltending, so I can see Gibson picking up the win today at the very least.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Dustin Tokarski, BUF at LOS ($29): Tokarski enters with the third-highest salary of any goalie and one of those above him is Chris Driedger, who's out of action. I just don't see it. Tokarski has posted a 1.40 GAA and .950 save percentage over two starts. Prior to this season, he managed a career 3.05 GAA of 3.05 and .904 save percentage. Tokarski is 32, and I just don't see him suddenly becoming an elite goalie. This is more a bet against him than a bet on LA, though the Kings have directed 36.0 shots on net per game.
CENTER
Trevor Zegras, ANA vs. MON ($17): In his second NHL season (only playing in 24 games last year), Zegras' minutes have jumped from 15:24 to 17:50. He's also now on the top power-play unit. That's helped the 20-year-old notch five points and 26 shots on net. As I mentioned earlier, the Canadiens are on the second leg of a back-to-back and Samuel Montembeault with his career .890 save percentage is projected to be in net.
CENTER TO AVOID
Nico Hischier, NJD vs. CLM ($19): The Devils are playing on consecutive days, but they're at home. However, that's still not an ideal situation to be in. Even though Joonas Korpisalo will be in net as opposed to Elvis Merzlikins, Hischier only has one goal and one assist so it's not like he's started the season strong.
WING
Patrik Laine, CLM at NJD ($17): Laine struggled last year after being dealt to the Blue Jackets, making it harder to remember the star who scored 44 goals during his sophomore campaign. This year, it feels like he's finding his footing. While Laine only has two goals, he's added four assists and 19 shots on net. And his 10.5 shooting percentage would be a career low, so he'll probably see an uptick there. It's also helpful to be facing a team that maintained a 3.38 GAA last season.
Jeff Skinner, BUF at LOS ($12): Speaking of guys who used to fill up the net, remember when Skinner potted 40 goals in his first season with the Sabres? He's currently at three points, but he's been active like usual. The former Hurricane has started 60.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone and racked up 24 shots across seven games. LA is on a back-to-back, and Jonathan Quick will likely be in net. As a reminder, Quick has posted an .897 save percentage over the last four seasons.
WINGS TO AVOID
Yegor Sharangovich, NJD vs. CLM ($17): Sharangovich showed promise as a rookie with 30 points in 54 games. However, his minutes are actually slightly down this season and has been dropped to Jersey's third line. Perhaps that's because he's only produced three points - all assists - with 12 shots on goal through six appearances. And, of course, he's on the second day of a back-to-back.
Brandon Tanev, SEA vs. NYR ($16): With his new team, Tanev has already notched six goals. Of course, that's with a 33.3 shooting percentage. That's a number that's going to drop significantly. The Rangers could help push that regression along with a 2.25 GAA to start the campaign.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM at NJD ($19): Werenski doesn't have Seth Jones around any longer, and he's stepped up so far with six points. The 24-year-old has also averaged a whopping 3:49 per game on the power play. Scott Wedgewood will likely be in net for the Devils and comes in with a career .901 save percentage.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. MON ($16): Fowler has become a forgotten veteran defenseman, perhaps because the Ducks have been pretty lousy for a few years. But he still had 23 points last season and has five to start this year. Remember Montembeault will likely be in net for this one and his career .890 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, NJD vs. CLM ($29): Hamilton is a great defenseman, which is why his salary is so steep. In fact, only two forwards carry a higher value. Being on consecutive days after having played in Pittsburgh yesterday makes this contest more difficult. I don't want to be paying this kind of salary if I can avoid it.
Mark Giordano, SEA vs. NYR ($17): Giordano has notched a point in four straight contests, but his 11.1 shooting percentage is likely to regress. A 38-year-old blueliner isn't likely to suddenly become a marksman. He may be facing Igor Shesterkin today, and he enters with a 1.81 GAA and .944 save percentage.
