This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Sunday's three evening games are included in DraftKings featured contests. The Flames visit Dallas, Detroit host Arizona, and the Golden Knights travel to San Jose. The Sharks and Red Wings are the only two teams playing the second leg of a back-to-back set, and both teams lost Saturday with Toronto beating Detroit 4-1 and St. Louis topping San Jose 5-2.
GOALIES
Start Antti Raanta ($7,300) confidently Sunday, and especially at this price. The Red Wings lost again Saturday and remain in the NHL basement. Additionally, Raanta sports a rock-solid .919 save percentage for the campaign, and the Coyotes have allowed just 2.44 goals per hour this season - third fewest in the league.
The Flames have lost three straight and land in a tough matchup against Dallas. While Ben Bishop ($8,200) has also lost his past three starts, this projects as a get-right spot for the veteran. Even with his recent struggles, Bishop boasts a winning record and a .926 save percentage for the year, including a dominant .943 save percentage and 1.76 GAA at home.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
It's been another down campaign for Jamie Benn ($5,600), and he's recorded just three goals without an assist through his past nine contests. Considering usual linemate Tyler Seguin ($7,400) has four goals through the past three games, it's a little unlikely Benn hasn't picked up a helper along the way. With the Flames an underwhelming road team (8-9-2 record with a minus-20 goal differential), look for both Benn and Seguin to make an impact Sunday.
Clayton Keller ($5,300) has marked the scoresheet in eight of his past 10 outings for four goals, six assists and 42 shots. He's also recorded double-digit DraftKings points in nine of those appearances and is projected to remain on the No. 1 power-play unit. The matchup is also cushy, as Detroit has allowed the most goals per hour in the league while also sporting a 30th-ranked, 73.4 penalty-kill percentage.
With just a single assist through his past seven outings, Alex Tuch ($4,700) is poised for positive offensive regression. The 23-year-old winger's current 2.02 points per hour is well behind last year's 2.52 mark, and he's projected to receive looks with the No. 1 power-play unit while seeing softer five-on-five matchups skating on the third line.
Andrew Mangiapane ($2,500) is projected to skate with Elias Lindholm ($5,000) and Matthew Tkachuk ($5,500) at five-on-five, so he checks out as a potential contrarian option who also offers cap relief. While the young winger shouldn't be viewed as a reliable target, he did register a helper and four shots last time out.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
It's been a solid run for Vegas's new-look line consisting of Chandler Stephenson ($4,000), Mark Stone ($6,200) and Max Pacioretty ($7,600). The trio have clicked for 5.82 goals and 15.81 high-danger scoring chances per hour while driving possession with a 58.0 Corsi For percentage at even strength for the campaign, and they've also combined for eight goals and 14 assists over the past five games.
While the sample is just two games, Christian Dvorak ($5,400), Taylor Hall ($7,600) and Phil Kessel ($6,000) have clicked at five-on-five with 5.1 goals and 17.85 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while driving possession with a 60.8 Corsi For percentage. Just expect them to be a popular stack because of the favorable matchup and manageable salaries.
While nothing more than an against-the-grain stack, Sean Monahan ($5,600), Johnny Gaudreau ($5,800) and Mikael Backlund ($3,800) have combined for a rock-solid 4.96 goals per hour at even strength since uniting as a line. Just remember, the Stars have been defensively stout at home this year with a league-low 1.87 goals against per 60 minutes.
DEFENSEMEN
As highlighted, the Flames could be a vulnerable opponent and John Klingberg ($4,500) has provided solid numbers with nine points through his past 13 contests. The Swede is also locked into a top offensive role, and his recent offensive surge has him up to an 11th-ranked 1.77 points per 60 minutes over the past three years among regular defensemen.
Scorching hot with seven points - including one goal - through his past four outings, Shea Theodore ($5,200) warrants mention and will probably be a popular play with San Jose playing its second game in as many nights. San Jose has also been shorthanded the most times in the league, so Theodore should have opportunities to stay hot and produce with the man advantage.
Another blueliner trending in the right direction, Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($4,600) has scored in consecutive games and recorded 18.4 and 19.0 DraftKings points in the respective showings. The veteran's been held to just three power-play points after recording double-digit totals in each of the past six seasons, so there's still room for statistical growth with the man advantage. As noted, Detroit's penalty kill can be taken advantage of.
