This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The NHL has three afternoon games on Super Bowl Sunday, so you'll want to lock your lineups in early. Three-game slates can be tricky, and this docket has an interesting mix of teams. The Kings have won five straight, including four on the road, so they're unlikely to fold against the Capitals. Focusing on the other two games, and hoping the Los Angeles/Washington matchup stays low-scoring, is one avenue to differentiating your selections…
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR vs. CGY ($8,000): Take away the Columbus beating following the All-Star break and Lundqvist has won four of his past five starts with a .952 save percentage. The Rangers have lost five of their past six home games, so expect them to have a solid afternoon showing against Calgary. It's a tough schedule spot for the Flames.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at MON ($8,000): Not only is McDavid the top scorer in the player pool, he's arguably the top fantasy asset in the league. With limited options, it's risky to fade McDavid. After all, since entering the league, he's posted an elite 3.22 points per 60 minutes and has 18 goals and 60 points through 54 games this year to pace the league.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON vs. EDM ($6,200): After Phillip Danault (upper body) left Saturday's game, Galchenyuk settled in between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov. You'll want to double-check Danault's status, but if Galchenyuk sticks with the two wingers, it would be a dynamic trio. The pivot has combined with Radulov and Pacioretty for 3.36 and 3.33 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season, respectively.
WING
Rick Nash, NYR vs. CGY ($5,900): Without a tally on 11 shots through his past three games, Nash is in a ripe spot to mark the goals column Sunday. He has a 4.8 shooting percentage since returning from his groin injury in mid-January, so considering his 12.3 mark since joining the Rangers alongside his recent uptick in shot volume, this salary has plenty of value packed in.
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at MON ($5,900): Until Draisaitl's salary starts to catch up to his production, he's a strong option whenever the Oilers take the ice. After all, his 2.79 points per 60 minutes rank fourth among all skaters with at least 1,000 minutes this year. Plus, he's locked in with Connor McDavid, and the duo have combined for 3.18 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this year.
Jimmy Vesey, NYR vs. CGY ($3,800): A low-priced flier, Vesey is projected to skate with Rick Nash and Derek Stepan in a top-six role Sunday. The rookie has two goals and three points over his past 21 games, so his recent form is atrocious. However, Nash and Stepan have a long history of producing solid offensive results at five-on-five (2.84 goals per 60 minutes over the past four years), so it bodes well for Vesey.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. CGY ($4,900): With just four assists through his past 12 games, McDonagh has some positive offensive regression ahead. After all, the minute-eating defenseman owns a solid 1.43 points per 60 minutes while averaging 24:18 of ice time per night with 3:18 on the power play. Additionally, with three consecutive wins, an afternoon game against a high-powered offense is the perfect schedule spot for a Calgary letdown showing.
Nikita Nesterov, MON vs. EDM ($3,300): The cap relief he provides in a small player pool is as valuable as any contribution, but Nesterov passed the eye test Saturday against Washington and owns decent upside. While he's playing limited minutes, Edmonton is playing its third road game in four days and has also lost three straight.
