Yahoo DFS Hockey: Wednesday Picks

Yahoo DFS Hockey: Wednesday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.

There are just two games heading on the final day before the All-Star break. It's a tough slate to navigate, as a rookie goaltender is the only one who has played well consistently lately. There's still plenty of offensive options, so read on to help set your lineup tonight. 

GOALIE

Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. DET ($31): Elvis Merzlikins ($35) is the chalk and should be in your lineup, but we need two goalies in this format. It's essentially a toss-up between Dubnyk and Alex Stalock ($31) to get the nod. Neither has been great in January, but a matchup against the Red Wings is a great palate cleanser, as they rank last in the league with 2.08 goals per road game.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Laurent Brossoit, WPG at CLS ($22): Brossoit will get the start on the second half of back-to-back games. The Blue Jackets have been too tough to take down in January, as they're 8-2-0 in the month, and they're averaging a modest 2.9 goals per game. 

CENTER

Dylan Larkin, DET at MIN ($20): Larkin has endured a slump or two this year, but he's heating up now with 10 points over nine January games. He continues to shower the net with pucks as well, accruing 26 shots on net during that span, and neither Minnesota goaltender is holding his own right now. 

CENTER TO AVOID

Boone Jenner, CLS vs. WPG ($14): It's been a tough year in the analytics department for Jenner, as he's recorded a 43.8 Corsi For percentage while starting just 45.2 percent of shifts in the offensive zone. Jenner's on an eight-game pointless streak now, too, so he's not worth it with other cheap options available. 

WINGS

Cam Atkinson, CLS vs. WPG ($18): Atkinson has only been back from injury for three games, and he already has five points and 11 shots on net. His solid floor is necessary for a short slate, but the ceiling is intriguing since Brossoit has a 3.65 GAA this season. 

Luke Kunin, MIN vs. DET ($17): Kunin is coming off a two-goal game versus the Panthers, and he's posted eight points in as many outing in January. The Red Wings' crease continues to be a liability, as it has yielded four-plus goals in four of the last five contests. 

WINGS TO AVOID

Patrik Laine, WPG at CLS ($24): Laine's goal-scoring is inconsistent, and even if he's scored in each of the past two games, this is a tough matchup. Merzlikins has a .955 save percentage and 1.55 GAA over his last 10 starts, so this is a premium price to pay for a lowered ceiling. 

Nathan Gerbe, CLS vs WPG ($15): Gerbe was enjoying some modest production before forwards started to get healthy, but now he toils on the third line. With his ice time dropping, it's tough to justify spending for Gerbe with his lack of a floor, as he's failed to fire a shot on net in three of the past seven contests. 

DEFENSE

Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. DET ($15): It's good to get part of a blue line that's up against the Red Wings. Spurgeon shoots enough and blocks enough shots to provide a solid floor, and he's heating up with two goals and as many assists over the last three outings. 

Filip Hronek, DET at MIN ($12): Hronek has already achieved a career-high 26 points with eight coming on the power play. He's a strong blueliner that shoots with high volume, and he'll be up against the Wild's weak penalty kill, which has let up 15.43 G/60 in January -- 30th in the league. 

DEFENSE TO AVOID

Neal Pionk, WPG at CLS ($18): Pionk's a gifted defenseman, which is why he's one of the most expensive blueliners. However, he has posted over half of his points this year on the power play, and the Blue Jackets aren't accommodating in that category. In 2020, they've yielded just 3.37 G/60 against opposing power plays -- the fourth-best rate. 

Seth Jones, CLS vs. WPG ($18): The Jets' penalty kill is equally as strong (3.67 GA/60). While Jones isn't as dependant as Pionk on the power play, his floor isn't much more intriguing than the lower-priced options, and blue-line partner Zach Werenski ($19) has been far more productive for an extra dollar.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jordan Mazzara plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Mazz30 Yahoo: Mazz30 DraftKings: Mazz30.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NHL Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NHL fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jordan Mazzara
Jordan has produced NFL and NHL content for RotoWire since 2017. He's the beat writer for the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Seahawks.
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17