This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Wednesday's pre-Thanksgiving NHL slate is a massive one, with 14 games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Owners looking to go into Thursday's day off thankful for a strong performance should read on, as certain players stand out as options to target while others should be avoided.
GOALIE
Alexandar Georgiev, NYR vs. NYI ($23): Georgiev has won each of his past three starts, as the league's youngest goaltender (22 years old) has bounced back nicely after getting shelled for seven goals by the Hurricanes in his season debut. While that game ruined Georgiev's rate stats, the young Rangers have tightened up defensively since then. At $23, he's worth a look against an Islanders team that's lost each of its last two road games by a 4-2 score.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jacob Markstrom, VAN at ANH ($31): Markstrom has won just twice in his past eight starts, allowing six goals once, five goals three times, three goals twice and two goals twice in that stretch. Even in what looks like a favorable matchup against a weak Anaheim offense, the Swedish netminder will have a difficult time pulling out a win on the road.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF vs. PHI ($24): Eichel has taken his game to the next level at age 22. After approaching a point-per-game pace with 64 points in 67 appearances last season, he's exceeding it with 24 points through 21 games. Considering Eichel's final shooting percentage has never dipped below 9.6 in a previous season and is currently at 5.8 (five goals on 86 shots), there's reason to believe he's due for further improvement. This home date with a Flyers team with a 3.55 team GAA presents a golden opportunity for Eichel.
CENTER TO AVOID
Tyler Bozak, STL at NSH ($17): Bozak's been a major disappointment for his new club, skating on the third line while managing only 11 points and a minus-5 rating thus far. A Predators team allowing a league-low 2.29 goals per game will make scoring difficult for Bozak, while his rating is at risk against Nashville's top-10 offense (3.33 goals per game).
WINGS
Nino Niederreiter, MIN vs. OTT ($16): Niederreiter got off to a slow start, but he's been much better over the past 10 games with seven points (two goals), five power-play points and multiple shots in all but two contests over that span. Elevated to the second line, he's starting to see more consistent ice time as well. All those recent positive trends should continue against an Ottawa team with an awful 4.19 team GAA. That's by far the worst mark in the league, well clear of Vancouver's second-worst 3.57.
Tom Wilson, WAS vs. CHI ($16): Back from suspension, Wilson has done his best to make up for lost time with five points through four games. Skating opposite Alex Ovechkin both on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit has certainly played a part in Wilson's fast start since returning. Aided by Ovechkin's presence again, look for Wilson to get right back on the scoresheet against a Blackhawks team that's getting outscored 3.29 to 2.67 on average this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jonathan Drouin, MON at NJ ($18): No Montreal player has gotten a larger share of their point production on the power play than Drouin (7/17). One of the few things New Jersey has consistently done well in the early going is kill penalties (84.0 percent), so this just isn't the time to roll with Drouin.
Anthony Mantha, DET vs. BOS ($16): Among wingers that cost $16 or more, only Max Pacioretty (4.0) averages fewer fantasy points than Mantha's 4.1. Already struggling to live up to his valuation, Mantha looks even less enticing against a Bruins team that's holding opponents to 2.45 goals per game -- second-fewest in the league.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. FLA ($23): Hedman is starting to look like the 2018 Norris Trophy winner we remember, accumulating a goal, an assist, seven shots and five blocks in the past two games. The Swedish blueliner is rarely available this cheap, but a slow start that Hedman seems to have put behind him has created a nice buy-low opportunity for owners looking to exploit a Panthers team that's giving up 3.33 goals per game.
Esa Lindell, DAL at PIT ($18): Lindell has stepped up offensively with John Klingberg sidelined by a hand injury, recording two goals and an assist in the last two games while putting at least five pucks on net in two of the past three. He's a high-risk, high-reward play here given Pittsburgh's firepower, but Lindell's offensive ceiling is excellent against a scuffling Penguins team that's up to 3.37 goals allowed per game.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brad Hunt, VGK at ARI ($16): Hunt doesn't have an every-day lineup spot secured, and he's a power-play specialist when he suits up, with four of his five points coming with the extra man. That specialty will likely be counteracted by Arizona's league-best, 91.7 percent penalty kill, making Hunt an ineffective choice even if he plays.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at BUF ($20): Gostisbehere's another power-play specialist matched up with a formidable penalty kill. Of his 11 points, seven have come with the extra man, and the offensive-minded blueliner has largely shirked his defensive responsibilities judging by his minus-8 rating. A Sabres team that sports a sixth-ranked 82.3 percent penalty kill is likely to limit Gostisbehere's power-play production, thus rendering him a poor fantasy commodity.
