This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
We end March on a Wednesday with six games on the NHL docket. If you want to end the month on a high note, here are some players I would recommend targeting for your DFS lineup, and also some I would suggest avoiding.
GOALIE
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. ARI ($39): The Avalanche have allowed a league-low 24.9 shots on net per contest. Arizona has averaged a league-low 25.9 shots on goal per game. Will the Coyotes even register double-digit shots on Grubauer? This should be a very easy day for the Avalanche's goalie.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. TOR ($32): After a bit of a rough patch, Hellebuyck has picked up his play recently, and he has a .918 save percentage on the season. However, both the Maple Leafs and Jets have averaged 3.31 goals per game. On top of that, though, Toronto is ahead in shots on net per game, while Winnipeg has allowed more shots on goal per contest. That, to me, speaks to a bit of a sketchy night to go with Hellebucyk in goal for your DFS squad.
CENTER
Kevin Hayes, PHI at BUF ($17): Philly's big center has been solid on the second line, but he's also on the top power-play unit. Hayes has tallied 11 goals and 24 points in 34 games. I don't know if you've heard, but the Sabres are on a bit of a bad stretch. They also have a 3.53 GAA this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Anze Kopitar, LOS at VGK ($23): Kopitar has 37 points in 33 games, but only eight of those have been goals. He's really been relying on his teammates to light the lamp to rack up points. Marc-Andre Fleury has a 2.06 GAA and .927 save percentage, and since returning to action Robin Lehner has a 1.33 GAA and .939 save percentage in three starts.
WING
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY at VAN ($20): Tkachuk has had some tough luck this year, as he's posted an 8.5 shooting percentage. That's the worst of his career, and a big reason why he only has nine goals. After all, Tkachuk has 106 shots on goal in 37 games to lead the Flames. The Canucks, meanwhile, have given up 33.8 shots on net per game, second most in the league. Tkachuk has all the opportunity in the world to light the lamp.
Sam Reinhart, BUF vs. PHI ($13): Yeah, Buffalo has been terrible, but Philadelphia has actually been even worse defensively. The Flyers have a 3.56 GAA, second highest in the NHL. Goals have been hard to come by for the Sabres, but Reinhart has 12 of them, including six on the power play. He's been consistently a 20-goal scorer in this league, and that's a level of reliability that you can trust in, especially in a matchup like this.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, SAN vs. MIN ($22): Kane has tallied 14 goals, though he's taken a major dive on the power play. Last year he notched 14 goals with the extra man, while this year he only has three. That's not likely to change Wednesday, as the Wild have a top-five penalty kill. They also have a 2.45 GAA.
Phil Kessel, ARI at COL ($18): Kessel has turned the clock back. He's tallied eight points in his last five games, including a hat trick in his last outing. Of course, that was against the Sharks. The Avalanche, on the other hand, have Grubauer, who has a 1.74 GAA and .929 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Matt Dumba, MIN at SAN ($18): Dumba is back after missing a couple games, and he has notched an assist since his return. He has 12 points on the year, but that's in only 28 games. The Sharks are a good team to face when returning to action and trying to find your footing. San Jose has a 3.41 GAA and has allowed 32.2 shots on net per contest.
Philippe Myers, PHI at BUF ($10): The Flyers seem to have had their fill of Shayne Gostisbehere, as they recently placed him on waivers. This could lead in an increase of opportunity for Myers, a 24-year-old defenseman who had 16 points in 50 games last year. He has six points this season, and over his last eight games he's notched we shots on goal. Against the Sabres, I like Myers' upside.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Drew Doughty, LOS at VGK ($18): Doughty, like Kopitar, is having a bit of a renaissance season. However, being on the road against the Golden Knights is a tough place to be. Vegas and Colorado are tied for the lowest GAA in the league (2.24), and Vegas is also just outside the top five in penalty-kill percentage.
Mark Giordano, CGY at VAN ($18): Yes, I recommended Tkachuk, but I am less confident in Giordano. He's looking a little better than last year, but he has 16 points in 37 games. However, Thatcher Demko has a 2.14 GAA and .937 save percentage over his last 12 outings. Tkachuk is a prolific shooter who has had bad puck luck, so I still think he has upside. I don't feel the same way about Giordano.
