This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's three-game evening slate doesn't offer much variety, but there is still plenty of value to be found if you know where to look. All six teams in action rank in the top 16 in goals allowed, so you won't have the luxury of stacking against an obviously poor defensive team. There are other factors to consider when picking your lineup though, which were used in determining the value plays listed below.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANH vs. MIN ($24): This matchup is a tough one, but the combination of circumstance and price make Gibson a good play here nonetheless. The tired Wild will be playing the second game of a California back-to-back set, while the young Ducks netminder is very affordable despite winning his first three starts of 2017. At just $24, there's little risk and tremendous reward for using Gibson as he goes for his fourth consecutive victory.
Goalie to Avoid
Pekka Rinne, NSH at CHI ($28): Rinne played well in Thursday's win over the Lightning, but has still emerged victorious in just one of his past six starts. He's unlikely to turn around his woes against the Central Division rival Blackhawks, who have been averaging 2.9 goals per game over their past 11.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest now]
CENTER
Kyle Turris, OTT vs. EDM ($15): Turris is the clear-cut No. 1 center in Ottawa, and has skated over 20:30 in each of his past five appearances. He has parlayed that increased ice time into at least 9.0 fantasy points in three of those contests, and should continue to find success against an Oilers team that has been middling in their own zone. Turris' price remains just $15 despite his recent success, so he gives you tremendous bang for the buck.
Center to Avoid
Ryan Kesler, ANH vs. MIN ($23): It's easy to forget because he opened the new year with a hat trick, but Kesler has failed to light the lamp 12 times in his last 13 games. Another empty outing is likely for the night's second-most expensive center against Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk, who has been outstanding with a 1.83 GAA and .939 save percentage this season.
WING
Vince Hinostroza, CHI vs. NSH ($14): Hinostroza is currently skating on Chicago's second line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, giving him a golden opportunity to rack up points and improve his rating alongside two of the game's best two-way forwards. He has been generating chances with at least four shots on goal in four of his past seven games, and could be due for a breakthrough against the scuffling Rinne. Hinostroza won't be this cheap for long if he can maintain his role, so this could be the perfect opportunity to buy low on him.
Bobby Ryan, OTT vs. EDM ($15): Ryan hasn't enjoyed quite as much success as Turris this season, but still finds himself skating on Ottawa's first line. The 29-year-old forward still has elite offensive potential after scoring 22 or more goals in six of the past eight seasons, and could have the night's most enticing matchup if the Oilers elect to start subpar backup Jonas Gustavsson on the second night of a back-to-back. Even if Cam Talbot is in net for the second consecutive game, Ryan offers strong bang for the buck at just $15 given his prominent offensive role and capabilities.
Wings to Avoid
Marian Hossa, CHI vs. NSH ($21): Hossa has averaged 4.5 fantasy points per game in two appearances since returning from an upper-body injury, and a significant increase on that mark is unlikely here. The veteran is still shaking off the rust after missing five games, and can't be expected to sustain the 19.5 percent shooting percentage that has been buoying his production this season given his career average of 12.4 percent. If you're going to use Blackhawks wingers, either splurge for their more expensive stars or save some money by using cheaper options.
Jordan Eberle, EDM at OTT ($19): Eberle was demoted to the third line earlier this week, with Patrick Maroon taking his spot alongside Connor McDavid on the top line. While Eberle's decline in ice time is unfortunate, the real dent in his stock comes from being separated from arguably the league's best play-making center. He failed to get on the scoresheet in 13:23 of ice time against the Bruins in his first outing since the change, and is likely to go without a goal for the 13th straight contest here.
DEFENSE
Jared Spurgeon, MIN at ANH ($19): Spurgeon's quiet performance over the past two games comes on the heels of a superb seven-game stretch in which he reached double-digit fantasy points six times. The well-rounded defenseman's 16 points and plus-23 rating demonstrate his elite two-way ability, and his spot on the top blue line pairing and second power-play unit should allow him to continue finding success against the worst defensive team in action. Don't let a couple of pedestrian performances keep you from utilizing this reasonably-priced elite asset.
Michal Kempny, CHI vs. NSH ($13): Kempny has found his offense on Chicago's second pairing with Brent Seabrook, registering two goals and two assists in the past four games while skating at least 16:55 in three of those contests. He still costs just $1 above the minimum, so taking a flier on the rookie in hopes he stays hot won't cost you much. On what is expected to be a low-scoring night, this low-risk, high-reward play could put you over the top.
Defensemen to Avoid
Cam Fowler, ANH vs. MIN ($20): Fowler's value is tied primarily to his offensive output, so it's puzzling why he's still valued at $20 after failing to pick up a point in any of his past eight games. That dry spell should continue against a Wild team that ranks third in goals allowed per game at just 2.11.
Roman Josi, NSH at CHI ($23): Josi has struggled in all aspects over his past seven games, compiling no goals, one assist, a minus-1 rating and 12 blocked shots for an average of just 4.1 fantasy points per contest. He's still getting plenty of ice time, but he hasn't been able to do much with it for the skidding Predators. That shouldn't change against a Blackhawks team that limited Josi to 3.0 fantasy points in 29:24 played less than two weeks ago.
