This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's light NHL slate only features three games, but there should be no shortage of exciting hockey with five of the six teams in action in playoff position. It's imperative to make good lineup choices as the lack of options makes it that much harder to separate yourself from the crowd. The Blues should get plenty of love as the only team facing a non-playoff opponent, but there are good value plays to be found on other rosters, as well. The guys listed below are capable of carrying your lineup to victory regardless of which DFS format you prefer.
GOALIE
Thomas Greiss, NYI vs. NJD ($33) - Greiss is the second-cheapest goaltender playing Sunday, but he's far from the least effective. His 8-3-2 record, 2.18 GAA and .928 save percentage are highly impressive, and New Jersey sports the lowest-scoring offense in action. All things considered, Greiss is the most sensible option any way you look at it.
Goalie to Avoid:
Brian Elliott, STL vs. COL ($34) - Elliott may look like a smart play from afar, but further examination reveals him to be the opposite of a stellar pick. The veteran goaltender is 0-3-2 since winning his first four starts of the season, and his matchup against the Avalanche looks much less enticing when you realize that they rank ninth in the league in goals per game despite their poor record. Avoid Elliott until he shows some signs of regaining his early-season form.
CENTER
John Tavares, NYI vs. NJD ($21) - Tavares has slumped lately, but prudent fantasy players should view his cold stretch and corresponding drop in price as an opportunity to buy low on an established fantasy superstar. New York's captain is routinely priced in the high 20s or even at $30 or more, and it's only a matter of time until the Islanders captain is back in that range considering he's played above a point-per-game pace in each of the last two seasons. Tavares already has 15 points at the Barclays Center, making him an extra enticing option at home.
Center to Avoid:
Matt Duchene, COL at STL ($24) - The highest-priced center in action isn't the most prudent investment on the road against a superior opponent. It's going to be tough for him to live up to that billing against the league's second-best penalty kill.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. VAN ($32) - Saying Kane is a good fantasy player is like saying the sky is blue, but $32 really isn't that expensive for a guy riding a historic 25-game point streak. The talented winger has been light years more productive than anyone else in action Sunday, and it's going to be tough to close the gap on his scoring considering the finite number of potent forwards playing. Just put Kane in your lineup and enjoy his offensive mastery for a night. (To all Kane and/or Blackhawks fans, I prematurely apologize for jinxing him here, and will take full responsibility should his point streak come to an end.)
Magnus Paajarvi, STl vs. COL ($12) - If you choose to go with expensive options such as Patrick Kane, you're going to have to find low-cost complementary options, and Paajarvi fits that description perfectly. The Swedish winger has recently been bumped up to the first line and could pay major dividends playing alongside Paul Stastny and Vladimir Tarasenko against Colorado's 24th-ranked defense. Regardless of how you build your lineup, utilizing a high-upside minimum price player is never a bad idea.
Wings to Avoid:
Kyle Palmieri, NJ at NYI ($21) - Palmieri's value stems primarily from his power-play prowess, as the man advantage has accounted for 11 of his 23 points this season. Expect New York's fourth-ranked penalty kill to nullify that part of his game, and thus render the winger significantly less valuable than his $21 valuation.
Kyle Okposo, NYI vs. NJ ($18) - It's just not the day to roll with Kyles, as Okposo joins Palmieri on the avoid list. A lot of Okposo's value is tied to center John Tavares, but while Tavares' pedigree suggests a quick recovery from his slump, Okposo isn't a great play until Tavares' production normalizes. A matchup against New Jersey's top-10 defense doesn't make the winger any more appealing.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. COL ($22) - Whether it's his early-season groin injury or some other factor, something has allowed Shattenkirk to fly under the radar despite recording a fabulous 15 points through 19 games played. The offensive-minded blueliner should have no trouble finding the scoresheet against a porous Avalanche defense, and $22 is a very reasonable price to pay for a man with his capabilities.
John Moore, NJ at NYI ($13) - Moore has six points in the last eight games after recording just three in his first 20, but his price still isn't reflective of his increased offensive responsibilities. He has also logged at least 23:54 in three of his last four games and is clearly New Jersey's most valuable fantasy defenseman. The bang for the buck on Moore is too good to pass up.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Brent Seabrook, CHI vs. VAN ($18) - Seabrook's offensive production has plummeted since Duncan Keith's return, but his price is still buoyed by his hot streak during Keith's absence. It's best to avoid Seabrook unless he's asked to reprise a bigger offensive role.
Tyson Barrie, COL at STL ($19) - A lot of Barrie's value is tied to his power-play production; seven of his 18 points have come with the man advantage. St. Louis' second-ranked penalty kill should make it difficult for him to contribute in that facet of the game.
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