This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
With the day-long slate, DraftKings has split it up into two separate slates. There's a two-game contest starting at 12 p.m. EDT consisting of a matchup between the Red Wings and the Lightning and another between the Devils and the Capitals.
The later slate starts at 7 p.m. EDT. Michael Hutchison will be starting for the Maple Leafs. I have a hard time trusting him in net, even against the Flames, and Jacob Markstrom has been struggling immensely this year. The matchup between the Coyotes and Ducks figures to be a low-scoring bout, as it's listed at 5.0 O/U on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Stars beat the Hurricanes last night 3-2.
Advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Early
MacKenzie Blackwood, NJ vs. WAS ($7,400): In a two-game slate, it can pay off to be contrarian, and the price tag will allow you to hone in on superstars later. That's not to say that Blackwood doesn't have significant upside. He does. Over the last seven games, he's recorded a 4-1-2 record with a .937 save percentage. The Capitals have been far from dominant, too, posting 2.21 xGF/60 at even strength over the last two weeks (14th in the league).
Late
Adin Hill, ARI at ANH ($7,800): Hill has been thrust into the starting role out of necessity, and he's handling the new gig well. The 24-year-old has posted a .910 save percentage and a 4-1-0 record over his last five starts, including a decisive win over the Ducks on Friday. The Ducks don't have much going for them, either, so Hill has a solid opportunity to keep on rolling.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Early
Robby Fabbri, DET at TB ($4,700): With six goals over the past 12 games, Fabbri is cruising, and he's staying in the top six. Andrei Vasilevskiy isn't expected to start for a second straight day, meaning he should be taking on Curtis McElhinney -- who has put up an .882 save percentage and a 3.03 GAA this year.
Travis Zajac, NJ vs. WAS ($3,800): Zajac continues to skate on the top line with Nico Hischier (face) out of the picture. The opportunity is intriguing, and the veteran center has some upside from his power-play work, too. The Capitals have been suspect lately as well, allowing 3.02 G/60 at even strength -- the highest mark among Sunday's teams.
Late
Conor Garland, ARI at ANH ($6,400): Garland has been all over the ice over the last 10 games, recording 2.89 xGF/60 at even strength. That has translated to just five points, but he has provided a solid floor in the process, firing at least three shots on goal in eight straight games. John Gibson (upper body) could be back in goal for the Ducks, but even he was helpless before his injury, putting up an .876 save percentage in March.
Alex Galchenyuk, TOR at CGY ($2,900): Galchenyuk has seemingly turned a corner in Toronto, posting 3.13 xGF/60 over seven games with his sixth NHL team. He's found chemistry with John Tavares, too, meaning his spot in the top six should be safe for now. The Flames' struggles in the crease have been brutal lately, making Galchenyuk a bargain at this price.
LINE STACKS
Early
Lightning vs. Red Wings
Anthony Cirelli (C - $5,100), Alex Killorn (W - $5,000), Steven Stamkos ($7,200)
This line has put up one combined point over its last three contests. However, they should at least get some positive regression having recorded 2.22 xGF/60 in that span. The Red Wings are an appealing foe, as they've given up 2.81 G/60 over the past two weeks -- the eighth-most in the league.
Late
Maple Leafs at Flames
Auston Matthews (C - $9,200), Mitch Marner (W - $8,200), Zach Hyman (W - $5,700)
Over the last 10 games, this unit has generated 3.67 xGF/60 at even strength, and they've converted on those chances at a similar rate. With a shooter like Matthews, they could even see some positive regression out of those opportunities. The Flames' defense has been solid of late, but it's worth noting that Jacob Markstrom has posted an .892 save percentage and a 3.08 GAA over his last five starts.
Hurricanes vs. Stars
Vincent Trocheck (C - $6,700), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $5,300), Jesper Fast (W - $2,900)
Trocheck extended his point streak to nine games last night, and he continues to make last year's trade look more lopsided. Jake Oettinger should start for a second straight day for the Stars. Oettinger has done that twice this season with mixed results. Furthermore, this group is creating chances, producing 2.51 xGF/60 over the last 10 games.
DEFENSEMEN
Early
Victor Hedman, TB vs. DET ($7,500): Hedman is a phenomenal two-way defenseman, but he leans heavily on the power play for his production. It's tough to fade him in this situation, as the Red Wings rank 27th in the league with 74.1 penalty-kill percentage.
Ty Smith, NJ vs. WAS ($3,700): Smith starts about 57 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's averaged roughly 21 minutes of ice time over the last seven games, dishing out five assists in the process. Washington has given up 2.23 xG/60 over their last eight games -- the 11th-most in the league -- providing ample opportunity for Smith to connect from the blue line.
Late
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. DAL ($7,500): Hamilton is going to drop off at some point, but he's been nothing short of fantastic lately, posting a point in 16 of the last 17 games. Eight of those points came with the man advantage, which will be a notch in his ledger against the Stars' 22nd-ranked PK (76.9 percent).
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at ANH ($4,200): Ekman-Larsson is heating up, producing six points over the last seven games. Five of those points came on the power play, so targeting the Ducks' 23rd-ranked PK (76.6 percent) is a strong strategy. Jakub Chychrun ($6,400) is the only other Coyotes defenseman worth rostering today.
Jake Bean, CAR vs. DAL ($2,800): Bean doesn't carry the floor that Hamilton does because he doesn't shoot at the same rate, but he handles time on PP2. He comes at a major discount, too, so consider him if you're spending up elsewhere.
