This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven NHL games Sunday. Two of them are in the afternoon, but the earliest start is at 4:00 PM ET. On the weekend, it's reasonable enough to expect most of you to be able to get your lineup in before that. As such, I'm going to look at the full seven-game schedule for DFS purposes. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, from the Sunday slate.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. ANA ($38): Fleury's last start didn't go great, but he's still recorded a 2.32 GAA and .930 save percentage. The Ducks have been stellar defensively, but their offense has been largely lackluster. Anaheim had only averaged 2.27 goals per game prior to Saturday night, which also means they're on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Mike Smith, EDM vs. FLA ($31): Smith is off to a strong start to the season with a 2.14 GAA and .925 save percentage. Call me skeptical. This is a 37-year-old goalie who had an .898 save percentage last year. I expect a tough day for Smith, as the Panthers have averaged 3.40 goals and 34.8 shots on net per contest.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. STL ($26): Larkin got off to a hot start, but he's registered no points over his last five games. Even with that, he's racked up seven points through 11 contests. Plus, he's still been active in those five games, firingb20 shots on goal over that time. The Blues are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and Jake Allen will likely be in net. As a reminder, he struggled to a .905 save percentage last year.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. BOS ($27): Zibanejad has been good so far, though he doesn't have a goal in his last six games. You might think this is a favorable matchup since the Bruins are on the second game of a back-to-back, but I don't buy into that. Jaroslav Halak will still be in net, and he's impressed with a .931 save percentage after having a .922 save percentage last year.
WING
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. PHI ($18): The Islanders are top heavy, but Bailey is on that top line. That's helped him notch eight points through 10 games, including three with the extra man. While the Flyers have been solid defensively - especially at shot suppression - they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. Also, Carter Hart has an .890 save percentage to start the season.
Dominik Kubalik, CHI vs. LOS ($13): Kubalik has started 63.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second highest on the Blackhawks. He also has one game with a goal on six shots, and another with a goal on 10 shots. Meanwhile, the Kings are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and they also happen to have the highest GAA in the NHL.
WINGS TO AVOID
Rickard Rakell, ANA at VGK ($20): It seemed like bad puck luck when Rakell's shooting percentage fell to 9.3 last year. However, this season his shooting percentage sits at 8.8 Also, as previously noted, Marc-Andre Fleury has recorded a 2.32 GAA and .930 save percentage.
Jakub Voracek, PHI at NYI ($18): Voracek has notched seven points through nine games, but three of those came in two contests. Just like last year, the Islanders represent a stellar team defensively with a .924 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, SAN at OTT ($24): It's time for an Erik Karlsson revenge game! The Swede will be going up against his old team, and this year he finally appears healthy. Karlsson has posted eight points through 10 games, including three on the power play. Meanwhile, the Senators have given up 34.9 shots on net per contest.
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. SAN ($20): Chabot is the heir apparent to Karlsson in Ottawa. He's got eight points through 10 games, along with a current five-game point streak. Even though the Sharks oen the league's top-ranked penalty kill, they have a 3.45 GAA as a team, thanks to their .892 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. ANA ($17): A Shea Theodore revenge game? Don't bet on it. The defenseman hasn't managed a point in his last six outings. Plus, his old team has a lot going for it defensively, thanks to a 2.18 GAA.
Ivan Provorov, PHI at NYI ($16): Shayne Gostisbehere is off to a slow start to the season, but his teammate Provorov has been enjoying a better year. I don't think that will matter against the Islanders. After all, Barry Trotz's team comes in with a 2.40 GAA, and the Flyers are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back.
