This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday is a fun day…unless you're an NHL fan. There is only one game Sunday, but at least Yahoo has made a Sunday-Monday slate available for us. Three of Monday's games are matinee affairs, which are often set aside in their own contests. Not this time, though. Here are some players to target and avoid.
GOALIE
Robin Lehner, BUF vs. NJD ($29): Lehner has been up and down in his two starts this season, though he did have a solid .920 save percentage last year. Meanwhile, the Devils had a punchless offense in 2016-17, averaging a mere 2.20 goals and 27.8 shots on net per game. Even with some additions this offseason, it's unlikely their offense is suddenly going to explode.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jake Allen, STL at NYI ($36): The Islanders' offense is underrated around the league. They finished in the top 10 in goals per game last season, and they just scored six goals against Buffalo. Allen was very impressive during the previous postseason, but during the regular season he had a .915 save percentage. The fact he's tied for being the second-most expensive goalie Sunday is probably a little pricey.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. WPG ($24): For the individual who doesn't want to pay Connor McDavid's lofty price, there's also Draisaitl. The Robin to McDavid's Batman will likely always be a fantasy producer as long as the two are on the same line. Draisaitl is also a power-play threat, as he notched 27 points with the extra man last season. The Jets, meanwhile, look like an early bet to be the most-generous team in the league when it comes to allowing goals.
CENTER TO AVOID
Steven Stamkos, TAM vs. WAS ($29): Washington was the best team in the league at goal prevention last season, and they were particularly stellar with Braden Holtby (2.07 GAA, .925 save percentage) in net. This isn't about Stamkos so much, as he seems fine even if he hasn't scored a goal yet. It's a tough matchup, though, and Stamkos is tied for being the second-most expensive center.
WING
Brandon Saad, CHI at TOR ($20): Being back with Chicago has been wonderful for Saad. He also has four goals and an assist, and it's not like he was lacking for offense in Columbus after notching at least 203 shots on goal in the last three seasons. Toronto's offense has been on fire this season, but defensively there are more questions. This stems back to last season when they allowed 2.85 goals and 32.6 shots on net per contest.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON at NYR ($14): Though he was limited to 61 games last season, Galchenyuk still had 44 points, including 15 on the power play. He also started 44 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, well above average for a forward. Meanwhile, the Rangers have allowed eight goals to Toronto and four to Colorado this season. Galchenyuk is quite cheap given his track record.
WINGS TO AVOID
Rick Nash, NYR vs. MON ($18): Nash has zero points through two games this season, but his recent track record isn't that great, either. He's often been injured, and he's been held under 40 points in three of his last four seasons. Also, since Al Montoya got into Saturday's game, Carey Price will likely start this one, and that certainly is a negative for Nash and the Rangers.
Marcus Johansson, NJD at BUF ($19): Johansson has had some success in his career, but how much of that was because he was playing on the Capitals? The Devils don't surround him with the same talent. He's played in only one game for New Jersey, and he didn't even manage to put a shot on net. It's only one game, but it's fair to ask Johansson to prove it with his new team.
DEFENSEMEN
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. COL ($17): McAvoy has a lot of potential, and so far he's proven himself to be a legitimate prospect. The 14th overall pick in 2016 played 22:00 in Boston's season opener. Colorado was last in goals allowed per game last season (3.37), so barring a miracle turnaround they are going to be a nice fantasy matchup this season.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. WPG ($17): Klefbom put 201 shots on goal last year, and he also tallied 16 power-play points while averaging 2:31 per game with the extra man. Anybody getting power-play time for the Oilers is going to be intriguing. Plus, as mentioned, the Jets have struggled defensively, and they allowed 3.11 goals per game last year.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Mark Giordano, CGY at ANA ($19): The Ducks actually allowed the third-fewest goals per contest last season, and at home they gave up a mere 2.00 goals per game. Anaheim also had the sixth-ranked penalty kill. Fourteen of Giordano's 39 points last year came with the extra man, so that doesn't bode well for him.
Chris Bigras, COL at BOS ($18): This price is a real head scratcher. Bigras has one point, an assist, this season, and he's only averaged 14:00 minutes per game. As a rookie last season he notched three points in 31 games. This price would seem high in any matchup, but especially against Boston and Tuukka Rask.
