This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
All three of Sunday's NHL games will be played in the afternoon, so as not to conflict with the Super Bowl. Here are the top value plays for this three-game slate, which opens at noon Eastern.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR vs. CGY ($28): While Lundqvist has been far from his usual self this season, the Swedish veteran has regained his stellar form in holding opponents to just 10 goals in his past six starts. He has four wins over that span, and will be favored to add another one against a Calgary team that has just two regulation wins in its past 10 games. It's only a matter of time until Lundqvist's price starts to climb again, so the buy-low window won't be open much longer.
Goalie to Avoid
Chad Johnson, CGY vs. NYR ($30): Whoever gets the nod in net for Calgary will have a hard time containing a Rangers offense that has mustered 3.35 goals per game. While there's nowhere to go but up from the minus-7.5 fantasy points Johnson has totaled over his past three appearances, he'll have to show dramatic improvement before earning consideration for daily usage again.
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CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY vs. NYR ($16): Monahan has lit the lamp nine times in his past 10 games, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The 22-year-old center is generating scoring chances at will, having taken 38 shots over this dominant stretch. At just $16, Monahan's recent form makes him too tempting to pass up, even against Lundqvist,
Center to Avoid
Tyler Toffoli, LA at WAS ($18): Toffoli finally returned from a lower-body injury Saturday in Philadelphia, but it's unwise to expect a strong performance out of him in the second game of a back-to-back following a 19-game absence. Facing the league's best team on the road only further stacks the deck against Toffoli.
WING
Phillip Danault, MON vs. EDM ($16): The 23-year-old is skating on the Habs' top line with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, so using him gives owners access to their scoring upside at a reasonable price. Danault has dished out three helpers in his past three games, and should continue to take advantage of his prominent offensive role against an Oilers team that has dropped three straight. He's the perfect option for those looking to have some stake in the Canadiens without burning a hole through their wallet.
J.T. Miller, NYR vs. CGY ($15): Miller continues to play a key role for the Rangers, having racked up seven goals and 16 points in his past 14 appearances while skating over 17 minutes in eight of the past 10. Despite all this usage and production, the 2011 first-rounder can still be had for just $15 heading into a matchup with a Flames team that has allowed 26 goals in its past seven games. Miller represents the best bang for the buck of any Rangers skater, and quite possibly of any player on this slate.
Wings to Avoid
Jordan Eberle, EDM at MON ($17): Eberle's season-long stat line looks decent thanks to some strong early production, but he has been dreadful for the better part of two months now. The winger has just three goals and six assists in 24 games since Dec. 9, and has scored more than 3.0 fantasy points only eight times in that span. Don't expect things to get any better against the league's seventh-stingiest defensive team.
Marcus Johansson, WAS vs. LA ($17): Johansson's average ice time on the season sits at 17:11, but he has skated fewer than 17 minutes in 12 consecutive contests. It's no coincidence that he has managed just one goal and two assists over that span. His decreasing role and production should make the Swede a shaky pick against the league's fourth-best defensive team.
DEFENSE
Jake Muzzin, LA vs. WAS ($15): Muzzin ranks second among Kings defensemen in goals and shots, but is priced below three teammates at his position. His offensive contributions and healthy 22:12 of ice time per game make the veteran a stronger option than his price indicates, so he represents the best value for contrarians who aren't afraid of using players against the Capitals. With backup Philipp Grubauer likely manning the Washington crease for the second game of a back-to-back, there's merit to trying to catch the Capitals at a low point with Muzzin.
Andrei Markov, MON vs. EDM ($17): Markov has seen his ice time increase in every appearance since returning from a lower-body injury Tuesday, and should be ready to match his season average of 21:35 in his fourth game back after playing 20:48 Saturday against Washington. While the eighth-ranked Oilers defense looks like a tough matchup for the offensive-minded blueliner, Edmonton's 15th-ranked penalty kill presents much less daunting opposition for a player who has notched eight of his 22 points with the extra man. Markov has easily outplayed his $17 value when healthy, recording 0.65 points per game and a plus-9 rating in 34 appearances.
Defensemen to Avoid
Jeff Petry, MON vs. EDM ($19): As Newton's third law states, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, Markov's increasing ice time has come at Petry's expense. The American defenseman has seen his ice time drop with every subsequent appearance by the Russian, and there's little to suggest that trend won't continue here. Petry offers less offensive upside than Markov at a higher cost, making him the inferior choice between the two.
Adam Larsson, EDM at MON ($17): Larsson's offensive game is nearly nonexistent, as he has just 14 points and 55 shots on the season. There are plenty of cheaper defensemen who offer similar value, so spending $17 on a player with this little upside just doesn't make much sense in a difficult matchup.
