This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. DET ($9,100) – It took Andersen some time to adjust after making a commitment to play more aggressively at the start of the season, but he's been brilliant over his past three games, allowing just three goals on 117 shots while winning all three. In the past, outdoor games have been generally low scoring due to poor on-ice conditions, and the Red Wings offense just isn't what it used to be.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. DET ($7,300) – With four goals in his past five games, Matthews has been on an absolute tear and is once again climbing back atop the race for the Calder Trophy. Despite the potentially poor on-ice conditions, Matthews is a centerpiece of the Leafs offense, and has played over 20 minutes in three of his past five games. His ability to create plays and score from anywhere makes him the most dangerous player Sunday. Perhaps the novelty of playing in his first outdoor NHL game will give Matthews some extra jump as well.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH vs. PHI ($7,500) – Ryan Kesler will be going head-to-head against Claude Giroux, which gives Getzlaf all sorts of opportunities to worry more about offense than defense. He continues to shy away from shooting the puck as a playmaker, as he has just five goals this season, but his 24 assists are fifth best in the league. Neither Steve Mason nor Anthony Stolarz should present a challenge to Getzlaf,
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. DET ($9,100) – It took Andersen some time to adjust after making a commitment to play more aggressively at the start of the season, but he's been brilliant over his past three games, allowing just three goals on 117 shots while winning all three. In the past, outdoor games have been generally low scoring due to poor on-ice conditions, and the Red Wings offense just isn't what it used to be.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. DET ($7,300) – With four goals in his past five games, Matthews has been on an absolute tear and is once again climbing back atop the race for the Calder Trophy. Despite the potentially poor on-ice conditions, Matthews is a centerpiece of the Leafs offense, and has played over 20 minutes in three of his past five games. His ability to create plays and score from anywhere makes him the most dangerous player Sunday. Perhaps the novelty of playing in his first outdoor NHL game will give Matthews some extra jump as well.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH vs. PHI ($7,500) – Ryan Kesler will be going head-to-head against Claude Giroux, which gives Getzlaf all sorts of opportunities to worry more about offense than defense. He continues to shy away from shooting the puck as a playmaker, as he has just five goals this season, but his 24 assists are fifth best in the league. Neither Steve Mason nor Anthony Stolarz should present a challenge to Getzlaf, and young linemates Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie aren't afraid to go to the net or shoot the puck.
WING
Mike Hoffman, OTT at WAS ($6,600) – Not only is Hoffman a volume shooter but the pucks have been bouncing his way of late, as he's scored a goal and four assists in his past five games. He's consistently been one of the Senators' best forwards, even though facing the Caps defense and Braden Holtby presents its own challenges.
Mark Stone, OTT at WAS ($6,300) – He hasn't fared as well as Hoffman recently, but has scored a point in two straight games. The downside to Stone is that he doesn't shoot the puck very much, but the upside is that he plays with Hoffman and Derick Brassard on a line that Guy Boucher leans on heavily for offense.
Rickard Rakell, ANH vs. PHI ($6,000) – Rakell ranks third among wingers with 14.2 fantasy points per game but offers great value at this price. The 23-year-old Swede has 23 points in 27 games and has the best point-per-game average on the team. He's not getting top-line minutes yet, but he's got first-line talent, and if the Flyers choose to deploy their best defensive pairs against Kesler and Getzlaf, that should give Rakell and linemate Corey Perry easier matchups to exploit.
Mitch Marner, TOR vs. DET ($5,800) – He's gone six games without a goal, but still consistently puts pucks on net, registering 18 shots in his past four games, including nine against Florida. He's a boom-or-bust play but the upside is hard to ignore. Like Matthews, he's a rookie that Mike Babcock absolutely trusts, and will continue to get offensive zone starts and power-play opportunities. Scoring may be tough with potentially poor on-ice conditions at the Centennial Classic, but Marner's breakaway speed should help open things up a little.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT at WAS ($7,600) – He's the most expensive player for Sunday's slate, but also by far the most talented and productive. He's outscoring second-ranked Cam Fowler by nearly five fantasy points per game, and drives offense far better than anyone else. He's gone quiet in his past three games with just one assist and two shots on goal, but he's also providing a lot of value in blocked shots.
Ivan Provorov, PHI at ANH ($4,500) – This might be the cheapest Provorov will come once people realize just how excellent he's been. Like Shayne Gostisbehere last year, Provorov has taken the Flyers blue line by storm and only played less than 20 minutes just once in December. He's offensively gifted even though he's stuck on the second power-play unit, but also generates a lot of chances at even strength and has seven shots and seven blocked shots in his past four games.
