This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday is a day for early starts, but not a day for well-rested teams. The first game is starting at 12:00 p.m. ET, but I am still going to look at the full slate for my recommendations because five of the six start at 6:00 p.m. or earlier. Eight of the teams also played on Saturday, which means plenty of back-to-backs and recommendations.
GOALIE
Jaroslav Halak, BOS vs. NJD ($34): The Bruins are playing for the second straight day while the Devils are not, but I am still willing to go with Halak with his 2.25 GAA and .915 save percentage playing for a team allowing fewer than 27 shots on net per game. Meanwhile, Jersey is scoring 2.44 goals per contest. Don't sweat the back-to-back on this one.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Malcolm Subban, CHI vs. NAS ($26): Even against a Predators' team in the bottom-10 in goals per game, I don't think Subban's salary here is justified. He's posted a 3.14 GAA and .903 save percentage behind a team that has allowed a league high 34.1 shots on net per game. While Nashville isn't scoring a ton of goals, it's ranked 10th in shots on goal per contest.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, STL vs. ANA ($22): O'Reilly has notched 32 points in 34 games, including 21 assists. That's not surprising given he managed 49 helpers in each of his last two campaigns. The Ducks enter with a 3.26 GAA and John Gibson has struggled to a 3.73 GAA and .873 save percentage although he looked decent Friday in his first start back from injury.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mika Zibanejad, NYR at WAS ($27): While Zibanejad has racked up 27 points in 33 games, 12 of those came in two six-point explosions against the Flyers. The Capitals are not the Flyers, as Philly is 30th in GAA while the Capitals maintain a 2.82 GAA. The Rangers also played Saturday on the road and will continue away from home today while the Capitals are rested.
WING
Filip Forsberg, NAS at CHI ($22): Forsberg has tallied 116 shots on net in 35 games to lead the Predators. He faces a Blackhawks' side allowing the most shots on goal per contest and are on the second day of a back-to-back. And Kevin Lankinen started Saturday, which means we'll likely see Malcolm Subban with a 3.14 GAA and .903 save percentage. Forsberg was a surprise scratch Saturday, so fingers crossed he's ready to go today. Otherwise, Viktor Arvidsson will be the Preds' top player in the lineup with the most shots on net.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, CLM at DET ($18): Bjorkstrand has been hot recently with 12 points in his last 12 contests. This is the second straight game between these two teams, but that's good for the Jackets given the Wings sit in the bottom-five in GAA.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at DAL ($22): Huberdeau is the one healthy Panthers' forward with a hefty enough salary to give me pause Sunday. He's enjoying a strong season, but he only has one goal over his last 11 games. Being on the road against Dallas is also one of the tougher situations Sunday, and Jake Oettinger and his 2.28 GAA will likely be in net.
Chris Kreider, NYR at WAS ($19): Kreider has potted 16 goals in 33 games, but with a shooting percentage that's much higher than his career average. Some regression could be coming and if it does the 29-year-old hasn't been much of a playmaker with only seven assists. If Ilya Samsonov starts for the Capitals, he enters with a 2.22 GAA and .917 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM at DET ($17): Werenski has started to turn his season around with seven points across his last nine contests. He still only has four goals on the year, but he accumulated 20 last season so we know he can light the lamp when on his game. The Wings - as previously noted - are in the bottom-five in GAA while also sharing the same ranking in penalty-kill percentage.
Justin Schultz, WAS vs. NYR ($16): Schultz has been hot recently with six assists in his last six contests. Now he's at home against a Rangers' team on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. Alexandar Georgiev will also likely be in net for New York and he's produced an .897 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
John Klingberg, DAL vs. FLA ($17): Sometimes on a back-to-back, it comes down to goalie usage. That's the case here. The Panthers have saved Chris Driedger for Sunday with his 2.28 GAA and .923 save percentage. That makes this a tough matchup for Klingberg, so I would avoid him here.
Ty Smith, NJD at BOS ($13): Smith has had an impressive rookie season with 18 points in 32 games. However, only two of those points are goals and he's only directed 42 shots on net. Smith may end up a Calder finalist, but I don't want him in my lineup with Halak in net for the Bruins.
