This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Happy New Year! This slate covers Wednesday's Winter Classic between the Stars and Predators, and it'll cover 12 games Thursday as well. Read on to help navigate the slate and set your DFS lineup for the two-day format.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. CLS ($32): After a brief rough patch, Rask has gotten back on track with two straight wins and a .926 save percentage. It's a favorable matchup against an injury-riddled Blue Jackets team that posted 2.34 GF/60 at even strength in December, per Natural Stat Trick, ranking 20th in the league.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Ben Bishop, DAL vs. NSH ($32): It's an outdoor game, but that only partly factors into that decision to shy away from the veteran netminder. Bishop has struggled over his last six starts, registering a 2-3-1 record and .904 save percentage. Meanwhile, Nashville led the league in December with 3.44 GF/60.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. NYR ($20): Monahan has started 56.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone this year, and he's capitalized lately with four points -- two on the power play -- in as many games. His time on the man advantage is especially beneficial against the Rangers' 22nd-ranked penalty kill (78.6 percent).
CENTER TO AVOID
Logan Couture, SJ at PIT ($23): Couture's produced just one goal and a minus-5 rating over the past six games -- a cold spell if I've ever seen one. Few creases are playing like the Penguins' right now, as they've allowed just 1.81 GA/60 at even strength in December.
WINGS
Tyler Bozak, STL at COL ($17): Bozak's in the goal-scoring groove, as he's lit the lamp five times over the past seven games while adding an assist as well. The Avalanche may have troubles slowing down Bozak's momentum since they've allowed 21 goals over the past five games.
Craig Smith, NSH at DAL ($17): Smith produced just nine points through the first 32 games, but he's back on track with five goals and two helpers over the past six. It's tough to shy away from that at the price tag, especially since Dallas ranks 26th over the last two weeks with 13.68 GA/60 on the penalty kill.
WINGS TO AVOID
J.T. Miller, VAN vs. CHI ($21): Miller has chemistry with Elias Pettersson, but Pettersson is under the weather and may not be ready for this contest. If that's the case, Miller appears overpriced, as Pettersson is the power of the unit with 20 goals already.
Anthony Duclair, OTT vs. FLA ($19): Duclair's been a revelation for the Senators this season, but he's posted just one point over the past three games. He has just four power-play points over the last 17 outings, so Florida's weak penalty kill isn't a proper bailout, and it has been strong at even strength with 2.17 GA/60 over the past three weeks.
DEFENSE
Roman Josi, NSH at DAL ($28): It's worth splurging for the priciest blueliner in the slate, as he's on a seven-game point streak with four multi-point games in that stretch. Josi has produced a 55.2 Corsi For percentage -- the best of his career -- and he's scored 25 points over 33 career matchups against the Stars. Bishop's flaky play recently makes Josi a top-tier play.
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. FLA ($19): Chabot enjoyed an impressive December, generating eight points, 33 shots on net and 21 blocked shots over 13 games. He quarterbacks the team's top power play as well, and he'll look to mark the scoresheet against Florida's penalty kill, which has yielded 13.3 GA/60 -- the second-most in the league during the month.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Ian Cole, COL vs. STL ($21): Cole has been demoted to the bottom pairing after Cale Makar returned to the lineup, and he finished with a minus-1 and one shot on net in his Tuesday's loss to the Jets. The Blues continue to be stout defensively, as they've yielded just 1.75 goals per game over the last three weeks.
Erik Karlsson, SJ at PIT ($21): Karlsson has mustered up just one point while notching a minus-2 rating over the past four games, and it's an unfavorable matchup. Tristan Jarry is playing well enough to fade talents like Karlsson, as the 24-year-old netminder registered a .947 save percentage in December.
