Just a quick note about a Friday game first. The Penguins soiled the bed again, this time against the Columbus Blue Jackets team on a six-game losing streak. It's time. It's time for the coach to go, and either Tristan Jarry (no trade contract) or Alex Nedeljkovic to be traded or waived. Lars Eller being traded to the Capitals should be the first of many, but those no-trade deals will hogtie the team for a couple of more seasons. The next first-overall draft pick by 2027? Columbus and San Jose on successive nights used to be two wins. Don't hold your breath.

But getting to the daily fantasy picks, I'll start as I have the last couple of weeks, with GOALIES.  The best guys, or the best chance to win?  Interestingly, the highest priced netminder for the night is Nedeljkovic ($8500), despite his 3.21 GAA and .884 save percentage, let alone the Penguins porous defense. I don't care if they're playing the Sharks, it's not a play I would take. Next highest cost was for Kevin Lankinen ($8400), as the Canucks host the Blackhawks. Lankinen's numbers are better, 2.60 and .907, but saving several hundred $$ we might find higher quality in net – but facing more formidable competition, too. Anthony Stolarz ($7300), putting his 2.11 GAA against Connor McDavid ($9800) and the Oilers?  Filip Gustavsson ($7800) and his 2.08, 0.924 against a Dallas team that's put seven-spots up twice this week? 

Unscientifically, my pick will be Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7500).  He's lost two of his last three starts, one via shootout, but his save percentage has been .936 in those games, and the Lightning are 5-1-1 at home so far. Vasi's season GAA is a very respectable 2.32. Not taking anything at all from the Devils, who've won seven of their last nine….

And if those are the strongest goalie options, then I need to move along for SCORING OFFENSE.  The Oilers/Leafs matchup has the best star power, even with Auston Matthews already announced as Out for this contest. Mitchell Marner ($7000) has 15 points in his last ten games, seven scored on the power play. John Tavares ($7100) has four goals, an assist, and two game-winners in the Leafs' last five. Leon Draisaitl ($8100) matches Marner's total, although just two with the man advantage.  McDavid, of course, scored his 1000th career point against Nashville on Thursday, and has nine points in four games since his return from injury.

Two quality Central Division teams will meet in the Dallas at Minnesota tilt. The Stars have been led this week by Mason Marchment ($4200) and Matt Duchene ($5600), with seven and five points respectively in just the past two games – these results are not sustainable. A better Dallas play could be rookie Logan Stankoven ($5000), who leads the Stars in shots on goal over the last two weeks, and has hit the scoreboard in six of his last eight games. For Minnesota, Matt Boldy ($7700) has six goals in the last 14 days – seven games – and Kirill Kaprizov ($9600) has 12 points over that same span. Too rich. For less Monopoly money, consider Marco Rossi ($4800), having a great season so far (14 points), and with at least one point in 12 of the Wild's last 15 games.

Looking down the standings just a bit, the Buffalo at Philadelphia game will pit netminder Devon Levi ($7400) and his 3.87 GAA against a Flyers squad that's surrendered 3.65 goals per game. Take the Over here, regardless of who coach Torts starts in goal. Tage Thompson is out, so  Alex Tuch ($6400), and JJ Peterka ($5400) with 16 and 15 points thus far, each threatening point-per-game seasons, would be good choices. For Philly, it's not a surprise that Travis Konecny ($7209) leads the team – 19 points – nor that Matvei Michkov ($4600) posted three points in two games after being benched through the team's Florida trip.  Owen Tippett ($6000), just three points in the team's last eight, could he be next in the press box, or does he break out of that mini-slump?

Defensemen:  I chose to go back to that "best of Canada" matchup. That would be Winnipeg – but Morgan Rielly ($5000) has blossomed with seven points in those last five games without Matthews. The Leafs are 4-1 without their captain. And Darnell Nurse ($4500) is a consistent performer and had a goal and two assists Thursday. The other temptation was to go to Montreal, for either Mike Matheson ($5600) or Lane Hutson ($3400), facing a back-to-back Columbus team on a one-game winning streak.

Last, we gotta find that one inexpensive – cheap – guy to balance the lineup, and there was enough left over to roster Juraj Slafkovsky ($4000), still looking at that Blue Jackets team and Daniil Tarasov (overpriced at $7400). 

My lineup:  Wish me luck!

Centers – Tavares and Rossi

Wings – Marner, Peterka, Michkov

Defense – Rielly and Nurse

Goalie – Vasilevskiy

Utility skater – Slafkovsky

Have a great weekend.