This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
You'll need to be ready early Wednesday, at least if you want to play a full slate for NHL DFS contests. The first of the five games taking place starts at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Here are my recommendations for your lineup...
GOALIE
Cal Petersen, LOS vs. ARI ($29): The last time these two teams played Petersen allowed four goals, but on the season he has a 2.57 GAA and .923 save percentage. There's also the potential that Petersen isn't terribly busy in this matchup. Arizona has only managed 26.5 shots on net per game, which is fewest in the NHL.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Cam Talbot, MIN vs. COL ($27): Despite the strong play of Kaapo Kahkonen, Talbot has gotten most of the starts recently. Of course, Talbot has been no slouch himself, as he's posted a 2.41 GAA and .924 save percentage. That being said, this isn't a matchup I want to mess with. The Avalanche top the league in goals (3.61) and shots on net (35.4) per game.
CENTER
William Karlsson, VGK at STL ($21): Karlsson has shown a bit of that old "Wild Bill" magic recently, notching a point in four of his last five games. Also, while he only has six power-play points, he has averaged a robust 2:58 per contest with the extra man. The Blues have the 26th-ranked penalty kill, and they just don't have the goaltending they've had in the past. St. Louis has a 3.21 GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan O'Reilly, STL vs. VGK ($21): O'Reilly's power-play numbers are also a bit down, as he only has seven points with the extra man in 38 games. The difference between him and Karlsson, though, is that the Golden Knights have a top-five penalty kill. Oh, and they also have a 2.24 GAA, lowest in the league.
WING
Dustin Brown, LOS vs. ARI ($17): Don't look to Brown for a helping hand (only seven assists) but he's been lighting the lamp with gusto in a bounce-back campaign. The 36-year-old has 15 goals in 35 games, including eight on the power play. He's also been quite prolific recently, tallying 56 shots on net in his last 15 contests. Due to injuries in net, there's a good chance Brown will be facing Arizona's third-string goalie Adin Hill on Wednesday.
Jesse Puljujarvi, EDM at OTT ($15): Hey, I had to get an Oiler in here at some point, right? I made a big point of noting that the Senators have a 3.72 GAA and how it was worth getting a lineup in by 5:00 p.m. ET to try and take advantage of it. Puljujarvi has been getting the advantage of starting 59.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Oilers. The two guys ahead of him in the lineup? That would be his two current linemates, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and some guy named Connor McDavid. That's a good place to be.
WINGS TO AVOID
Tyler Toffoli, MON at TOR ($24): Toffoli has notched 19 goals this season, and not just because he beat up on his old team the Canucks. It is, however, owed in part to a career-best 18.6 shooting percentage that could potentially regress. Frederik Andersen may return to action for this game, but my guess is the Maple Leafs won't rush him. After, in six starts in Andersen's stead Jack Campbell has an 1.62 GAA and .941 save percentage.
Kirill Kaprizov, MIN vs. COL ($20): There is little to complain about with the likely Calder winner Kaprizov, but this is a matchup that would make me hesitant about anything. The Avalanche are more than just the league's best offense. They rank in the top two in GAA, shots allowed per game, and penalty-kill percentage. This is a team with no weaknesses when it's at full strength.
DEFENSE
Tyson Barrie, EDM at OTT ($24): While the Senators have a 3.72 GAA, the penalty kill isn't so disastrous, as they rank "only" 23rd on that front. Hey, Ottawa fans need their silver linings. That being said, I definitely am not deterred from recommending Barrie because of that. The 29-year-old has 14 power-play points in 39 games, helped in part by the fact he's averaged 3:45 per game on the power play.
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. EDM ($16): Chabot is, once again, trying his best to be a bright spot in the Senators lineup. He's averaged more ice time than ever (including on the power play) and tallied 23 points, 83 shots on goal, and 50 blocked shots. Remember when Mike Smith was putting up great numbers and people like me had to rain on his parade by saying it likely wouldn't continue? Well over his last 11 starts he has a 2.81 GAA and .905 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Cale Makar, COL at MIN ($25): While I recommended avoiding Talbot because the Avalanche have the best offense in the league, that doesn't mean I'm excited for any specific Colorado player. That certainly includes Makar given his salary. Like I said, Talbot has a .924 save percentage, and Minnesota also ranks third on the penalty kill. That's particularly concerning for Makar, as 11 of his 25 points have come with the extra man.
Torey Krug, STL vs. VGK ($15): It's almost impressive that Krug has managed only one goal on 85 shots on net. That's some real tough luck. Then again, I don't know if I can recommend him against the Golden Knights and their 2.24 GAA. Plus, Krug isn't the power-play weapon he was in Boston. Not only does he only have seven power-play points, he's averaged fewer than three minutes with the extra man for the first time in six seasons.
