This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's NHL slate is a small one, with only five games going, and we've got afternoon starts with the Devils-Rangers and Blues-Jets matchups, so get those lineups in before you settle in to watch football (or hockey, or in my case, both).
There are some great values on the board here, so let's wait no longer to pave your way to Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey glory.
GOALIE
Anders Nilsson, EDM at VAN ($24) – The starting goalie hasn't been released for this game yet, and after Cam Talbot started (and won) Saturday night's game in Calgary, it seems likely that the hulking Nilsson will get into the action Sunday. At $24, he's well cheaper than any of the other presumed starters out there, though you'll need to check back and adjust things if it turns out the Oilers do use Talbot for both ends of the back-to-back set. Nilsson was spectacular in his first start of the year, turning away 48 of 51 shots, and the suspect Edmonton defense makes him play even better in this format. If he doesn't go, though, I'd recommend you pony up the extra $1 for Reto Berra against a Kings team in disarray that's averaging exactly one goal a game. He's quietly been outstanding in limited action so far, stopping all 40 shots put on him – 35 of those in a shutout of the Ducks – and the Avs' skaters have provided no shortage of offensive backing.
Player to Avoid:
Sunday's NHL slate is a small one, with only five games going, and we've got afternoon starts with the Devils-Rangers and Blues-Jets matchups, so get those lineups in before you settle in to watch football (or hockey, or in my case, both).
There are some great values on the board here, so let's wait no longer to pave your way to Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey glory.
GOALIE
Anders Nilsson, EDM at VAN ($24) – The starting goalie hasn't been released for this game yet, and after Cam Talbot started (and won) Saturday night's game in Calgary, it seems likely that the hulking Nilsson will get into the action Sunday. At $24, he's well cheaper than any of the other presumed starters out there, though you'll need to check back and adjust things if it turns out the Oilers do use Talbot for both ends of the back-to-back set. Nilsson was spectacular in his first start of the year, turning away 48 of 51 shots, and the suspect Edmonton defense makes him play even better in this format. If he doesn't go, though, I'd recommend you pony up the extra $1 for Reto Berra against a Kings team in disarray that's averaging exactly one goal a game. He's quietly been outstanding in limited action so far, stopping all 40 shots put on him – 35 of those in a shutout of the Ducks – and the Avs' skaters have provided no shortage of offensive backing.
Player to Avoid:
Jonathan Quick, LA vs. COL ($32) – For the same reason Berra comes recommended, Quick doesn't. While it's certainly not inconceivable that Quick continues the turnaround he started Friday in an OT win over the Wild, he simply can't be trusted until he and the Kings can prove their offense is firing on all cylinders.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at VAN ($12) – On a day when there's no obvious goalie to stack against, we've got to go with the talent. McDavid started waking up Saturday, posting two goals and an assist for his first career multi-point game, and it wouldn't be surprising in the least to see him go on a red-hot run now that he's off the schneid. While Vancouver goalie Ryan Miller is good, he's certainly not impenetrable.
Player to Avoid:
Jeff Carter, LA vs. COL ($19) – Carter's off to a slow start with just two assists in four games, and it's not like he's been getting unlucky – he's fired only seven shots on goal in that span, an unusually low total for a guy who's usually able to clear 200 with ease every season. Perhaps the law of averages means he scores his first goal, but he's got an awfully tough matchup against the aforementioned Berra, who's been very strong in the Colorado nets.
WING
Jason Zucker, MIN at ANA ($14) – A 21-goal scorer despite somewhat limited action last season, Zucker's yet to find the net this year, but he's been active on the offensive end – two assists and 10 shots in four games – and seeing second-unit power-play time. I'm looking for a breakthrough here; for the price, he's worth the gamble.
Player to Avoid:
Jarome Iginla, COL at LA ($17) – While he may be old, Iginla isn't done – but that doesn't make him a great play Sunday. After scoring goals in consecutive games to start the year, he's gone scoreless in two straight, and it's hard to ignore that Iggy's put only four shots on net so far. He's not going to score on 50 percent of his shots moving forward, that's for sure. Iginla also struggled against the Kings last year, going scoreless in three games with a minus-3 rating and only five shots.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, EDM at VAN ($13) – I was expecting a big breakout from Schultz this year, but it hasn't yet materialized, as he's yet to notch a point in five games. That said, he's still skating huge minutes – 23:48 a game, with 3:55 of that on the power play – and you have to think it's just a matter of time before the supremely talented blueliner breaks through. With McDavid waking up for Edmonton, this could very well be the day. You just can't keep this guy down for too long.
Player to Avoid:
Francois Beauchemin, COL at LA ($19) – A big start to the season has inflated Beauchemin's price, giving fantasy owners a great reason not to buy in. Sure, he has five assists in four games, but all of them came in the first two games of the year, and we're talking about a guy who hasn't cleared 30 points in a season since before there were iPhones. His shot blocking gives Beauchemin a relatively high floor, but DFS is all about chasing upside.
