This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Friday's NHL slate is a modest one, with four games on tap beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern time. There may not be a large selection of options to choose from, but certain players still separate themselves from the pack as guys to target while others stand out as guys to avoid at their respective prices. Below, you'll find who falls into which category.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. NJ ($34): Not only does Dubnyk draw the one team that's playing the second leg of a back-to-back Friday, but that team also happens to have a dreadful 7-19-3 road record. Dubnyk's lone win in his past six starts came against these same Devils in their own building, so this favorable matchup could be just what he needs to get back on track.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Alexandar Georgiev, NYR at BUF ($27): It's tempting to go with Georgiev after his 55-save birthday masterpiece Sunday, but his road struggles suggest a repeat of that outstanding home effort is unlikely to occur here. Georgiev is 3-7-0 with a 4.11 GAA and .882 save percentage on the road -- a stark contrast to his 5-2-0, 1.78 and .941 home marks.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR at BUF ($23): Zibanejad has been held off the scoresheet only twice in the last 11 games while failing to light the lamp in just three of those games, racking up 13 goals and six assists in this terrific stretch. While trade rumors swirl around prominent teammates and expirings Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello, Zibanejad is locked in at a $5.35 million AAV for the next three seasons, so he's playing with peace of mind as the Feb. 25 trade deadline approaches. A Sabres team that's 5-7-1 with 50 goals allowed over its past 13 games will be hard-pressed to slow down the red-hot center.
CENTER TO AVOID
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at ANH ($34): Bergeron has been incredible at home (39 points in 24 games), but he hasn't quite played up to his lofty $34 valuation on the road, with 14 points in 17 games. The Ducks showed signs of life with a 1-0 shutout win over Vancouver on Wednesday, so it's tough to trust Bergeron over some of the alternatives in his price range, as this slate doesn't lack top-end talent at the center position.
WINGS
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at CAR ($26): Draisaitl's thriving by Connor McDavid's side on Edmonton's first line and top power-play unit, having racked up nine goals and 11 points over the past eight games. After posting 77 and 70 points in the previous two seasons, the 23-year-old German's taken his game to the next level with 33 goals and 67 points already this season. Draisaitl's production doesn't lag far behind McDavid's (9.6 average fantasy points to 11.2) but he's significantly cheaper ($26 vs.34).
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR vs. EDM ($19): Teravainen has four multi-point games in his last eight, and he's produced seven goals and 13 points over his past 10 contests. The 18th overall selection from the 2012 draft should keep building on his recent momentum against an Oilers team that's allowing 3.34 goals per game this season.
WINGS TO AVOID
Kyle Palmieri, NJ at MIN ($19): Palmieri has struggled at even strength, as 16 of his 42 points this season are of the power-play variety and his rating over the past 16 games is minus-13. His power-play prowess is unlikely to be a factor against Minnesota's top-10 penalty kill, and there's little to like about the rest of Palmieri's game at the moment.
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR vs. EDM ($17): Svechnikov isn't seeing as much ice time as the other Hurricanes available in this price range, reaching the 15-minute mark only once in his last 11 games. The talented rookie hasn't turned into a consistent NHL contributor yet, having been held off the scoresheet in 19 of his last 24 games. You're better off paying up the extra $2 for Teravainen or $1 for Micheal Ferland, with Justin Williams also a possibility at $17.
DEFENSEMEN
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF vs. NYR ($18): With 11 points and a plus-3 rating in his past 14 games, Dahlin has showcased the all-around skills that prompted the Sabres to select him first overall in the 2018 draft. The Swedish rookie gets a nice opportunity to add to his 31 points through 56 games in this home matchup with a Rangers team that's struggled to the tune of a 9-15-2 record outside the confines of Madison Square Garden.
Torey Krug, BOS at ANH ($21): Krug offers excellent scoring ability coupled with some rocky defensive play from the blue line, as illustrated by his 40 points and minus-2 rating in 46 appearances. The former is much more likely to come into play than the latter against an offensively challenged Ducks team that's been outscored 37-9 over its last eight games.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR at BUF ($18): Prior to recording an assist Wednesday in Winnipeg, Shattenkirk went seven games without a point while posting a minus-4 rating. Such struggles have been par the course in a disappointing season that's seen the New York native record just two goals, 13 helpers and a minus-13 rating. You can do better at $18.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at CAR ($18): It's tough to justify picking Klefbom over fellow Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse, who comes $1 cheaper. Klefbom has averaged just 3.4 fantasy points in his first four games back from a two-month injury layoff, so he should be avoided until either his price drops or he rounds back into form.
