This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Get ready to get your daily fantasy hockey lineup in early, because Sunday's contests begin at 5:00 PM ET. You have 10 teams worth of players to choose from, and here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. OTT ($8,100): After a slow start to the season, Fleury has posted a 1.40 GAA and .942 save percentage over his last five starts. Plus, as you likely heard if the words 'Vegas Flu' mean anything to you, the Golden Knights were quite good at home last year. The Senators have been a high-scoring team this year, but they've only put 28.7 shots on net per game. As such, their scoring isn't likely to stay at this current level.
CENTER
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. NYI ($6,700): There has not been a single game this season where Aho has failed to score. He's no fluke either, as he racked up 29 goals and 65 points last year. The Islanders will be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and Thomas Greiss will be in net. The German goalie only managed a 3.82 GAA and .892 save percentage last season.
Jason Spezza, DAL at DET ($5,000): Spezza struggled last year, but he's bouncing back this season. He has eight points in nine games, including three on the power play. The veteran has been helped by the fact he's started 61.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Stars. The Red Wings haven't looked good with a 4.00 GAA this year – tied for highest in the NHL – and they had a 3.10 GAA last season.
WING
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM at CHI ($6,600): Nugent-Hopkins has 12 points and 30 shots through nine games, helped in part by the fact he's averaged over five minutes per game on the power play. While he's overshadowed by another number-one pick, Connor McDavid, the Nuge did have 24 goals in 62 games last year. The Blackhawks are playing their second game of a back-to-back, and Cam Ward – with a 4.23 GAA and .885 save percentage – is in line to start.
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. OTT ($5,500): Smith became a big part of Vegas' magical run last year, as he tallied 60 points in 67 games. The 27-year-old plays on the Golden Knights' top line with Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson, which also bodes well for him. The Senators slumped to a 3.46 GAA last year – second highest in the NHL – and this year that mark currently sits at 3.89.
Justin Williams, CAR vs. NYI ($5,200): Williams showed he still has something to contribute in the NHL last year, when he notched 51 points in his return to Carolina – including 12 on the power play. The 35-year-old has recorded eight points this season, even though he only has a 3.8 shooting percentage. The Islanders sported a league-worst 3.57 GAA last year, and now they are on the road for the second day of a back-to-back.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. NYI ($4,900): Given how bad the Islanders were defensively last year, it makes sense to target Hurricanes. In addition to having the league's highest GAA, the Islanders gave up the most shots on goal per game and also had the worst penalty kill – with the latter something Faulk can take advantage of. The 26-year-old had 19 points with the extra man last year, and he's played 3:26 per game on the power play this season.
Brent Seabrook, CHI vs. EDM ($4,700): Seabrook's numbers dipped a bit last year, but he's off to a solid start. The 33-year-old has recorded six points and 22 shots on net through 11 games, and he still gets plenty of ice time. The Oilers are another team on the second night of a back-to-back, but they are also on the road. Cam Talbot will be getting the start, and he comes in with a .901 save percentage after posting a .908 save percentage last year.
