This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Sunday's NHL action gets off to a little bit of an early start, as the first game is at 5:00 PM ET. Since there are only three games on the slate, you need to be sure to get your daily fantasy lineup in before then. You don't need to be sure to use any of these recommendations, but you may certainly want to.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, CAR vs. NYR ($7,600): Mrazek can be a streaky goalie. Though he's struggled the last couple of years, he once had a .921 save percentage during a season. This is more about the situation he's in, as the Rangers are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, while the Hurricanes are well rested.
CENTER
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. NYR ($6,400): Aho has been a potent goal scorer since he entered the NHL, notching 24 and 29 goals in his first two seasons. He's already off to a fine start to this campaign, tallying three points in two games. The Rangers struggled defensively on the road last season, allowing 37.4 shots on net per contest. And as mentioned, they come in on the second day of a back-to-back.
Nick Schmaltz, CHI vs. TOR ($5,500): Last season, Schmaltz started 64.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second most on the Blackhawks. It paid off, as he broke out with 21 goals and 31 assists. The Maple Leafs are also on the second night of a back-to-back, and they are starting backup Garret Sparks in net. While he's been good in the AHL, he hasn't played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season.
WING
Tyler Toffoli, LOS vs. DET ($6,300): Toffoli wasn't able to replicate his 31-goal performance from the 2015-16 season last year, but still managed 24 goals on 251 shots. He also added 12 points on the power play, including six goals. Jimmy Howard finished last year with a .910 save percentage, and the Wings are banged up on defense.
Zach Hyman, TOR at CHI ($4,600): Hyman is playing on Toronto's top line alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner. That alone makes him an intriguing option, because he's sure to pick up some points simply by osmosis. The Blackhawks are playing their second game in as many days, and third-string goalie Anton Forsberg is expected to start this game with Corey Crawford hurt. Last year, Forsberg posted a mediocre 2.97 GAA and .908 save percentage with Chicago.
Micheal Ferland, CAR vs. NYR ($4,400): Ferland is in his first season with the Hurricanes, and currently finds himself on a line with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. Like Hyman, that could easily pay off for the former Flame. That's been true thus far, as he has notched two points and seven shots on net through two games. The Rangers, who will be on the second night of a back-to-back, will likely start Alexandar Georgiev in net, who finished with a 3.15 GAA over 10 games last season.
DEFENSEMEN
Morgan Rielly, TOR at CHI ($5,200): Rielly racked up a ton of assists last season, picking up 46 helpers in 76 games – including 24 with the extra man. He also put 182 shots on net, a new personal high. Chicago did not do well with zero days of rest last year, posting a 3.47 GAA in such games. With Anton Forsberg in net, they may not improve upon that in this one.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. DET ($4,800): Muzzin has been pretty consistent, notching at least 40 points in three of his last four seasons. He also has hit double-digit power-play points in each of his last four campaigns. The Wings owned a 3.10 GAA last year and, as noted earlier, Jimmy Howard posted a .910 save percentage.
