Due to the NHL's Christmas break, Sunday is busier than usual with eight games starting at 6 p.m. EST or later. In case you have last-minute gifts to buy, here are some DFS lineup recommendations that can maybe earn you some winnings.
SLATE PREVIEW
Saturday was busy for the NHL as per usual and there are plenty of teams on the second leg of a back-to-back Sunday. Only five didn't play on Saturday. Winnipeg and Utah play each other. The Avs are visiting the Wild, who might be able to boast the league's best goaltending duo. And then Dallas and the Devils host Toronto and the Sabres, respectively.
GOALIES
Jacob Markstrom, NJD vs. BUF ($8,200): I'd say three of Markstrom's last four outings have gone well. The other was a disaster, but it was against Tampa. The Sabres aren't quite as good offensively, are decidedly worse defensively, and on the second night of a back-to-back. I think Markstrom can handle this one.
Jonathan Quick, NYR at NAS ($8,000): On the one hand, Nashville gets to play both of its weekend games at home. On the other hand, the Rangers played at 12:30 p.m. EST on Saturday to earn some extra rest. What really matters here is that Quick has been one of the best backups this year (.932 save percentage across eight appearances) and the Predators are bottom-eight in goals.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Tomas Hertl, VGK at EDM ($5,900): Jack Eichel is out and Hertl is the one benefiting in terms of ice time, at least during even-strength as he was already on the top power play. He's racked up 10 points with the extra man and gets to face an Oilers team on Sunday that's already lost Tristan Jarry. Calvin Pickard started Saturday, most likely leaving recent call-up Connor Ingram and his .856 AHL save percentage to go on Sunday.
Pavel Zacha, BOS vs. OTT ($3,700): Zacha's role with the Bruins has been more about working as the pivot on the man-advantage, and that's worked out as he's produced 12 points there. Both teams are closing out a back-to-back, though Boston gets to be at home for both while the Sens list a bottom-three penalty kill.
FORWARD LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Devils vs. Sabres
Nico Hischier (C - $6,500), Jesper Bratt (W - $6,400), Dawson Mercer (W - $4,200)
Even with an unexpectedly-good penalty kill, the Sabres are still bottom-eight in GAA and shots allowed. On a second straight day, I imagine their defense may dip especially with Jersey not playing Saturday. Jack Hughes may still be out, but the Devils still have a worthwhile top trio to stack.
Hischier's scoring has slowed down, yet he's still at 28 points. He's also directed 25 shots on net over his last eight outings with zero goals, so his luck is bound to turn around. Speaking of fortune, Bratt's 7.9 shooting percentage should eventually improve. And he's been productive by notching 29 points overall. Mercer has essentially been a 20-goal forward each of the last three seasons and he's already at 10 to go with 12 assists.
Penguins vs. Canadiens
Sidney Crosby (C - $7,500), Bryan Rust (W - $6,500), Rickard Rakell (W - $5,400)
Evgeni Malkin's hot start was derailed by an injury and when he gets back I'm sure he'll regress as usual. That leaves the Penguins a one-line club for now. Pittsburgh and Montreal are doing a home-and-home this weekend, though the Pens get to host on Sunday where they'll face Jakub Dobes in net. He's posted an .893 save percentage while already logging more outings than last season.
There are a few reasons why Malkin is a future Hall of Famer, but Crosby is in the hockey Pantheon as he hasn't really slowed down as a 90-point performer in each of the last three seasons and currently at 35 points, 19 of those goals. He's also managed 14 points on the power play while the Habs list a bottom-10 penalty kill. Rust has enjoyed a fine career being one of Crosby's favorite wingers and has so far tallied 28 points with 14 of those PPPs. Rakell missed significant time due to injury, so his 10 points have come in only 13 games. And since returning, he's registered two points and 18 shots through five outings.
DEFENSEMEN
Thomas Harley, DAL vs. TOR ($4,100): Harley's first game back was to ease him into the lineup, though he's averaged 21:45 in the five since alongside three points, seven shots, and 13 blocked shots. The Leafs carry a couple decent goalies, but they also have a bottom-five defense for shots allowed and will also be on the road for the second day of a back-to-back.
Luke Hughes, NJD vs. BUF ($4,600): Defensemen skating for a second straight day often feel it more than forwards, which is why I've selected two who didn't play on Saturday. Luke is the only Hughes brother currently playing for the Devils and has notched five points and 20 shots during his last seven outings. The Sabres were in action Saturday while maintaining a bottom-10 ranking for GAA and shots allowed.
