This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
As is the case every day this time of year, Sunday's five-game NHL slate is chock-full of important playoff implications. The Ducks and Stars will both dress a number of potentially appealing plays when they take the ice in Anaheim each eyeing first place in their respective divisions, but every other game should also be scrutinized with nine of the 10 teams in action still vying for postseason berths. It's tough to get much separation with so many teams in do-or-die situations, but the recommended players below are in the best position to help their teams, and owners, pick up valuable points.
GOALIE
Scott Darling, CHI vs. BOS ($30) - Darling is well worth a look Sunday considering he's won three of four and is more importantly the cheapest goaltending option available. The Bruins have been sputtering with six losses in their last eight, and Chicago's offense is potent enough to bail Darling out even if he does struggle a bit. He's by far the most logical option for your No. 2 goaltender slot.
Goalie to Avoid:
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. STL ($35) - Varlamov has allowed exactly three goals in six straight starts, including Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of these very Blues. St Louis' defensive prowess suggests a repeat performance would once again leave the Russian netminder with a loss.
CENTER
Andrew Cogliano, ANH vs. DAL ($15) - Cogliano has turned it on offensively, tallying 10 points in the last 10 games following a nine-game drought. His overall production isn't very impressive, but the speedy forward's terrific results since moving to a line with Ryan Kesler and Jakob Silfverberg suggest he's likely to once again outperform his modest $15 price tag facing a Dallas team playing the second leg of a tough back-to-back against the top two teams in the Pacific Division.
Center to Avoid:
Jason Spezza, DAL at ANH ($26) - Spezza reached the 30-goal mark for the fifth time in his career with a tally Tuesday, but that effort was part of a disturbing trend that has seen the veteran attempt just a single shot on goal in each of his last four games. Considering the production expected of a $26 player, Spezza's going to be facing an uphill climb to reach that level if he continues struggling to generate chances against a hot Ducks team.
WING
Wayne Simmonds, PHI at PIT ($23) - With three goals and two assists on 12 shots over the last three games, Simmonds continues to play a huge role in Philadelphia's late-season surge. Simmonds has been scoring consistently all season with 28 goals in 77 appearances, and that's unlikely to stop in Sunday's rivalry game. The streaking power forward's combination of momentum and pedigree make him worth taking a flier [Ed. Note: pun intended?] on for $23, especially with top Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury dealing with a concussion.
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. BOS ($14) - Panarin should have his confidence back following a two-goal, two-assist outing against the Jets on Friday. The rookie is still available at a massive discount due to his recent slump, but his continued presence on a line with NHL points leader Patrick Kane gives him upside unmatched in this price range, especially against a Boston team that has given up 26 goals in dropping six of its last eight.
Wings to Avoid:
Andrew Ladd, CHI vs. BOS ($21) - Ladd has laid many an egg of late, topping 3.0 fantasy points just thrice in his last 10. While it's possible he reverses that trend in this one, that should be considered unlikely since Ladd hasn't scored on home ice since Feb. 23.
Jakub Voracek, PHI at PIT ($19) - Voracek is in the midst of a long scoring drought, as he hasn't found the back of the net since Feb. 20. That doesn't bode well for Sunday's road contest against the hottest team in hockey.
DEFENSE
Ryan Suter, MIN at WPG ($20) - Suter has been chipping in offensively of late, registering five assists in Minnesota's last six contests. The do-it-all defenseman already has 21 points with the man advantage, and has a strong opportunity to add to that total against the Jets' 25th-ranked penalty kill. Winnipeg seems to have checked out after dropping four straight, providing a great chance for Suter and the Wild to pick up two much-needed points and some supporting stats along the way.
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL at COL ($21) - Shattenkirk has an even 30.0 fantasy points over his last three outings thanks in large part to a goal and an assist in that span. The blueliner's value is primarily tied to his position-defying scoring ability, and getting on the scoresheet again shouldn't be a problem for the former Avalanche first-rounder, considering his old team's goaltender Semyon Varlamov has allowed exactly three goals in six consecutive starts.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Radko Gudas, PHI at PIT ($23) - Gudas has seen his price rise drastically following a fluky March in which he lit the lamp five times. Considering the Czech blueliner has a grand total of zero goals in 57 appearances during the season's other months, there should be rightful skepticism about his ability to carry that scoring rate over into April.
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. STL ($18) - Barrie is a hit-or-miss option who's a drain on the plus/minus category and doesn't block many shots. His value stems from his offensive ability and power-play prowess, but those traits are likely to be neutralized by a Blues team that ranks third on the penalty kill and fifth overall defensively.
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