This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NHL is back…hopefully. The league has recently been dealing with the COVID-19 mess. Games were postponed both before and after Christmas. Today we're supposed to finally get back. There are three matchups scheduled, and hopefully they all happen. It would be great to see some NHL action again, and for these recommendations to be useful.
GOALIE
James Reimer, SAN vs. ARI ($36): Before the pause, Reimer returned to action and made 61 saves on 64 shots. That boosted his numbers to an 1.99 GAA and .936 save percentage on the year. He now returns to face a Coyotes team last in both goals and shots on net per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jonathan Quick, LOS vs. VGK ($35): Quick is enjoying a rebound campaign with a 2.16 GAA and .930 save percentage, even if his last start saw him allow five goals. This could be another off day for the veteran as Vegas ranks fourth in goals and eighth in shots per contest.
CENTER
Logan Couture, SAN vs. ARI ($19): Even though Couture hasn't had stable wingers on the top line, he's still produced 25 points - including six over eight December outings. I mentioned the Coyotes have scored the fewest goals in the NHL. And guess what? They've also allowed the most.
CENTER TO AVOID
Chandler Stephenson, VGK at LOS ($20): Stephenson has been solid this seasons, particularly in terms of playmaking with 22 assists. But I'm a little concerned about the fact he's only put 50 shots on net. This seems like a bit too high of a salary for Stephenson and Quick enters with a 2.16 GAA and .930 save percentage, even if I'm also down on adding him on my roster.
WING
Alex Killorn, TAM vs. MON ($18): Brayden Point may be back, and that could be big for Killorn. He'll likely end up with either Point or Steven Stamkos as his center and will also get to play with them both on the power play considering he's averaged 3:06 with the extra man. That could bode well here with the Canadiens coming in with the league's 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Jonathan Drouin, MON at TAM ($14): Normally, facing the Lightning is a concern. However, both Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brian Elliott are out due to COVID-19. Max Lagace seems primed to be in net and he's produced a career .876 save percentage. That looks favorable for Drouin, who's posted nine points in his last 12 games.
WINGS TO AVOID
Max Pacioretty, VGK at LOS ($34): There are a couple reasons I'm avoiding Pacioretty tonight. For one, his salary as no other wing has one higher than $26. Is Pacioretty on the road against the Kings worth splashing that much cash? Especially when I bring up my second point, which is he's dealing with an undisclosed issue. It's possible Pacioretty won't be able to play. And if he does, he likely won't be at 100 percent.
Clayton Keller, ARI at SAN ($19): The Sharks maintained the league's fifth-ranked penalty kill, and that's with James Reimer missing some time. But now he's back. Of course, Keller has really struggled on the power play with no points there over his last 17 games. I don't expect that horrid stretch to end tonight.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. VGK ($20): Doughty returned from injury, recorded six points and 20 shots and then ended up in COVID-19 protocols. Now, he's cleared and ready to return. Robin Lehner is dealing with a lower-body injury and may not be able to start. That would mean Laurent Brossoit and his .904 save percentage would get the call.
Brent Burns, SAN vs. ARI (17): A 2.6 shooting percentage is keeping Burns' goal total down, but he's plenty active. He's averaged 25:54 in ice time – including 2:13 with the extra man – and fired 77 shots on net. Burns should be able to keep it going against the Coyotes, who have allowed 33.1 pucks per contest and enter with a 3.69 team GAA.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Nicolas Hague, VGK at LOS ($17): Hague has notched 13 points and that's solid, though he doesn't skate on the power play and has only averaged 18:21 overall. He's a solid secondary defenseman, but not one of Vegas' key cogs. As such, it will be harder for Hague to pay off on this salary, especially on the road against the Kings.
Shayne Gostisbehere, ARI at SAN ($15): As per usual, Gostisbehere is getting a lot of power-play action averaging 2:56 with his new club. Five of his 18 points have come with the extra man, though he hasn't scored in that situation over the last 13 games. And as I noted earlier, the Sharks boast a fifth-ranked penalty kill.
