This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL at COL ($8,400) – If Allen can't win against the league's worst home team starting their No. 3 goalie, then there's really no saving him or the Blues this season. With a five-game losing streak, the Blues are quickly falling out of the playoff race, but the schedule gods have thrown them a lifejacket. Even if the numbers aren't pretty, Allen should skate away with a win.
WINGER
Mikael Granlund, MIN vs. SJ ($7,400) – The 25-year-old is finally breaking out on offense in his fourth full season in the NHL and the first under the tutelage of an offensive genius in Bruce Boudreau. Forced to concentrate on defense first under previous Wild coaches, Granlund has a career-high 21 goals and 59 points in 62 games, already besting his previous career high by 15 points.
Jeff Skinner, CAR at ARI ($6,400) – The best part about Skinner is that he's a volume shooter, which means that even if the pucks aren't going in, it's not for a lack of trying. He has just one assist in his past three games, but has also averaged over three shots per game in his past seven, and faces a team that has already allowed more than 200 goals this season.
Sebastian Aho, CAR at ARI ($5,200) – Aho and Skinner usually play on different lines, so those banking on an offensive outburst from Carolina against Arizona would be wise to stock up on the team's most skilled wingers without a clear top line. Aho has two points in his past three games, but has also fired 18 shots in his past five, and the coaches in Carolina rave about his ability and smarts.
Sven Baertschi, VAN at ANH ($4,500) – He's scored two goals and an assist upon returning from a concussion, but more importantly, has been driving hard to the net and getting good bounces. Skating alongside Bo Horvat most nights, Baertschi is the Robin to Horvat's Batman, and over their past two games, they've scored seven points. The Ducks are expected to start Jonathan Bernier, who has a .904 save percentage this season, which is a poor mark even for his standards.
CENTER
Mikko Koivu, MIN vs. SJ ($6,600) – He was held without a point against Columbus, but prior to that, Koivu was on a five-game point streak that featured a goal and seven assists. Koivu is having one of the best seasons of his career, and while he'll be tasked with shutting down the Sharks' top forwards Sunday, he's always managed to contribute on offense this season regardless of matchup.
Bo Horvat, VAN at ANH ($4,800) – The newly minted assistant captain had a big debut with an 'A' on his jersey, collecting three assists against the Kings on Saturday. A tough two-way forward, Horvat has developed an offensive game even though few thought he could at the NHL level. In a game featuring big, veteran centers, Horvat's youth should serve him well, and at his best there's few players that can either get by him on offense or contain him when he's driving toward the net.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SJ at MIN ($8,400) – Normally, playing any player against the Wild at home when they have an offense that can bury any team and world-class goaltending is a bad idea, but anything and everything involving Burns has been a good idea this season. He's on a seven-game point streak and it would take a full defensive effort from Minnesota to keep him off the board.
Alex Pietrangelo, STL at COL ($5,100) – One of the league's steadiest defenseman shouldn't have to do much defending against a team that can't keep the puck out of its own net, and Pietrangelo has been producing some offense of his own with two points in his past three games. He's averaging over two shots and almost two blocked shots over his past five games, making him an indispensable part of the Blues' blue line.
