This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's evening NHL slate consists of five games, with six others scheduled to begin before 7:00 PM Eastern time. There's still plenty of value to be found in this modestly-sized slate, especially with six of the bottom 12 defenses in action.
GOALIE
Cam Ward, CAR vs. TOR ($24): Ward is too affordable to pass up against a struggling Toronto team. The Maple Leafs have dropped seven of their past 10 games heading into the weekend, and four of their past five on the road. Expect those struggles to continue on the second night of a back-to-back against Ward, who has held his last four opponents at PNC Arena to a total of six goals combined.
Goalie to Avoid
Ryan Miller, VAN vs. PHI ($41): Miller simply isn't worth $41 regardless of his opposition, considering his past seven starts have yielded just one win, 23 goals against and a .901 save percentage. Jacob Markstrom isn't any better of a deal at $36 given his 2.63 GAA and .910 save percentage.
CENTER
Vladislav Namestnikov, TB at COL ($13): Namestnikov is skating in a first-line role for the injury-plagued Lightning, yet remains priced just $1 above the minimum. The 2011 first rounder has just two points in the past four games despite averaging 18 minutes per contest, but is due to pick up the scoring pace once his 6.9 percent shooting percentage reverts to something closer to his career average of 11.9 percent. That improvement could well start against an Avalanche team that has surrendered the most goals per game in the league at 3.32.
Center to Avoid
Ryan Spooner, BOS vs. VAN ($18): Spooner has just 29 points and a minus-2 rating in 57 appearances, and has topped 15 minutes of ice time just once in his past 10 games. Despite those modest stats, the third-line center still costs $18. Living up to that relatively hefty price will be difficult against a Sharks team that has been the third stingiest in the league with just 2.41 goals allowed per game.
WING
Andrew Cogliano, ANH vs. LA ($12): Cogliano's price literally can't drop any further, but his role remains unchanged. The speedy forward has 12 goals, 14 assists and a plus-8 rating thanks to his spot on a skillful line alongside center Ryan Kesler. Four of those points have come in the past five games, giving Cogliano momentum heading into a date with a Kings team that has surrendered 18 goals in its last four games.
Daniel Sedin, VAN vs. PHI ($17): This matchup against a Flyers team that has allowed 2.98 goals per game represents an excellent opportunity for the points leader among Canucks wingers. Sedin's role on the first line and top power-play unit puts him in excellent position to capitalize, while his career-worst minus-12 rating isn't as much of a drawback against an opponent that has dropped five of its past six games. His combination of role and skill is well worth a $17 investment in this situation.
Wings to Avoid
James van Riemsdyk, TOR at CAR ($22): Van Riemsdyk has seen both his effectiveness and playing time diminish over the past six games, managing just a single assist while skating fewer than 15 minutes in all but one. Avoid the slumping winger until he starts earning more faith from coach Mike Babcock.
Patrick Marleau, SJ vs. BOS ($19): Twelve of Marleau's 33 points have come with the extra man, but that aspect of his game is likely to be limited by a second-ranked Bruins penalty kill that has denied 86.3 percent of opposing opportunities. Given his lofty price tag, the veteran is best avoided in all but the friendliest of matchups. This isn't one of them.
DEFENSE
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at VAN ($14): Gostisbehere's career rate of 0.58 points per game is exceptional for any defenseman, let alone one that costs just $2 over the minimum. His 14 points with the extra man account for the bulk of Gostisbehere's scoring this season, and Vancouver's 24th-ranked penalty kill is particularly susceptible to opposing power-play production. The young blueliner's scoring upside makes him a low-risk, high-reward play here.
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. TB ($15): Barrie offers the highest upside among Avalanche defensemen, as shown by his 0.5 points per game scoring pace. Similar to Gostisbehere, that offensive production belies Barrie's $15 price. The Lightning have dropped eight of their past 12 games and rank 21st on the penalty kill, making them a favorable opponent to deploy the talented blueliner against.
Defensemen to Avoid
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. TOR ($18): This looks like a decent matchup on paper, but Faulk's value takes a hit because he's under the weather. While the offensive-minded blueliner is expected to lace 'em up nonetheless, his minus-17 rating is definitely in danger of tanking even further if he's operating at less than 100 percent.
Brent Burns, SJ vs. BOS ($36): Burns should be avoided for the same reason as Marleau. Power-play production has accounted for 20 of the bearded blueliner's points, and Boston's proficiency on the penalty kill will make it difficult for him to add to that total. Given that he costs $13 more than the next-most expensive option at his position, it doesn't make sense to use Burns with such a sizable portion of his value limited.
