This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's five-game NHL slate begins bright and early at 12:30 PM Eastern time. Below are some players that deserve lineup consideration in the day's contests regardless of strategy, as well as options to avoid.
GOALIE
Kari Lehtonen, DAL vs. VAN ($33): In a slate that features five of the league's 10 best offenses and only one ranked lower than 21st, the goaltender facing Vancouver's 27th-ranked unit will enjoy a massive edge in matchup over the competition. Whether that's Lehtonen or Mike McKenna, whichever netminder gets the nod for the Stars with Ben Bishop (knee) sidelined can be expected to turn in a strong performance. Lehtonen's experienced a dip in form recently, but his season GAA (2.54) and save percentage (.912) are still respectable.
GOALIE TO AVOID
John Gibson, ANH at EDM ($40): As predicted, Gibson came back down to earth Friday against Winnipeg, allowing three goals and taking the overtime loss to end a four-game winning streak which featured two shutouts. The Oilers enter the weekend with a 6-2-1 record over their past nine games and 13 goals in the last two, so another subpar outing could be in store for this slate's most expensive netminder.
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CENTER
Radek Faksa, DAL vs. VAN ($13): While he's largely been unable to capitalize with just two goals and an assist in his past six games, Faksa's getting all the opportunities he could ask for to do even more. Coach Ken Hitchcock has entrusted the second-line center with at least 18:50 of ice time three times in that span and no fewer than 16:18 in any of those games, plus skilled winger Alexander Radulov is now flanking Faksa at even strength. Considering he costs just $13, Faksa's recent increase in role makes him a solid buy-low option against a Canucks team that's allowing the fourth-most goals per game (3.24).
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan Donato, BOS at MIN ($26): Donato's career has gotten off to a strong start with two goals and two assists through three games, but $26 is still a very hefty price to pay for such an inexperienced forward whose playing time and production have both dropped with each game. Having to face a Minnesota team that's 24-6-7 in its own building further lowers his appeal here.
WINGS
Ty Rattie, EDM vs. ANH ($17): Rattie's recent play is an example of the wonders skating alongside Connor McDavid can do for someone's fantasy stock. Heading into Saturday's late-night showdown with the Kings, Rattie's reeled off a trio of goals to go with two assists and a plus-7 rating over the previous four games, and the unheralded 25-year-old's showing no signs of slowing down as long as he holds on to the valuable first-line right wing role.
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. NSH ($18): Connor has six goals in his past five games, and he's potted those markers against some seriously stiff competition. Not only did he score March 13 in Nashville, but he also lit the lamp in games against the Ducks and Kings (two goals) over that stretch. Considering those are three of the league's top five defensive teams, Connor shouldn't sweat a home rematch with the Predators. Him remaining one of the two sub-$21 members of Winnipeg's top-six forward group (Paul Stastny-$17) despite this recent production is just icing on the cake as far as value goes.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Craig Smith, NSH at WPG ($19): While he did skate 18:16 in his last game, Smith's ice time was limited to below 14 minutes in seven of his previous eight appearances. He's been held off the scoresheet in all but three contests over this nine-game stretch, and another empty outing is the most likely outcome against a Jets team that's 28-7-2 in Winnipeg.
Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. PHI ($19): Philadelphia's been hemorrhaging goals recently, but Guentzel's unlikely to take advantage of that fact. He's lit the lamp just once in his past 13 games, and that goal came as part of a three-point performance against a Canadiens team that might be the worst in the league at this point given its depleted roster. If you remove that outing, he's averaging just 3.3 fantasy points per contest in that stretch. Considering all the offensively-gifted alternatives on his team, paying $19 for a player who's been producing at such a low rate isn't a winning strategy.
DEFENSEMEN
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. PHI ($17): Schultz's well-rounded game -- highlighted by a team-high, plus-20 rating -- gives him a terrific floor, as evidenced by the fact that he's picked up at least 6.6 fantasy points in eight of his past 11 appearances. His ceiling also gets a nice boost here against a Flyers team that's allowed 10 of its past 12 opponents to score at least three goals, including a Mar. 12 Penguins win in which Schultz came away with an assist and 10.2 fantasy points.
Matt Grzelcyk, BOS at MIN ($12): With Boston beat up on the blue line, Grzelcyk's seen a massive increase in role recently, averaging 23:39 of ice time while also skating on the top power-play unit. That playing time puts his season average of 16:36 to shame, and Grzelcyk took advantage of the extra opportunities by firing a career-high six shots on net Friday in Dallas. At just $12, he's worth plugging in given his current usage, though Grzelcyk will lose some of his luster should Torey Krug (upper body) make his return.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Radko Gudas, PHI vs. PIT ($16): Gudas has three helpers in his past three games, but that output is nothing but a flash in the pan for a player who's recorded just 14 points in 63 games this season and has a career rate of just 0.25 points per game. His ceiling is very low due to his offensive ineptitude, as is Gudas' floor against the two-time defending champs.
Francois Beauchemin, ANH at EDM ($15): The Oilers have played better lately, but penalty killing remains the team's biggest weakness. Unfortunately for Beauchemin, he won't be able to take advantage of that 30th-ranked, 74.9 percent unit since he doesn't receive power-play time. Since Edmonton gets last change at home, there's also a high likelihood of Beauchemin getting stuck out on the ice against phenom Connor McDavid, which could lead to serious trouble in the rating department.
