This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are seven games in the NHL on Sunday, but only the evening four beginning at 7 p.m. EDT are included in the featured Yahoo DFS contests. Pittsburgh is the only significant favorite on the docket, so there's definite stack potential there. It's also worth noting Boston, Dallas and Nashville are all playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. Here are picks and pans at each position for today's contests.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Tristan Jarry, PIT at NJD ($32): This salary probably isn't prohibitive enough to pass on the starter for the biggest favorite on the schedule. Jarry is cruising along a 7-1-1 stretch with a .923 save percentage and 2.43 GAA. The Devils also bring a pedestrian offense with just 2.59 goals per game and the league's fourth worst power-play percentage.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Daniel Vladar, BOS vs. WAS ($36): With Tuukka Rask ($27) not expected to return Sunday from his upper-body injury, Vladar is projected to start against the high-scoring Capitals. Washington has scored the fourth most goals per game and boast the eighth-ranked power-play percentage in the league. It's also a tough schedule spot with Boston playing its second game in consecutive days. It's also worth noting the Bruins could be without both Charlie McAvoy (upper body) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) on the blueline. And with Brandon Carlo (upper body) on injured reserve, it would mean half of their regular defensemen would be out of the lineup.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT at NJ ($34): There are enough values to take a long look at Crosby on Sunday. He racked up 24.5 fantasy points against New Jersey on Friday, and the veteran center has only missed the scoresheet twice through the past 11 games while recording five tallies, 13 helpers and nine power-play points.The Devils allowing a healthy 3.15 goals per game and sporting the NHL's worst penalty-kill percentage only sweetens the deal.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Pavelski, DAL at NSH ($24): The veteran is an interesting case study because while he's only scored a single goal through his past 15 games, his year-long 17.4 shooting percentage is his second highest mark over the past seven years. Pavelski has been power-play reliant with 11 of his 15 goals and 19 of his 37 points coming with the man advantage. Nashville starter Juuse Saros ($37) has also won eight of his past 10 starts with a dominant .964 save percentage and 1.19 GAA, so goals could be hard to come by for the Stars.
WING
Jake Guentzel, PIT at NJ ($27): This is a manageable salary to target Guentzel and especially with the noted favorable matchup. He's turning in another high-end offensive campaign with 17 tallies, 25 helpers and 13 power-play points through 41 contests and has clicked with linemates Sidney Crosby ($34) and Bryan Rust ($25) for a high-end 5.54 goals 15.64 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season.
Jakub Vrana, WAS at BOS ($13): As noted, injuries are piling up for the Bruins and they're also playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Vrana scored last time out for the first time in 13 games, but he's still recorded a respectable 1.21 goals and 2.63 points per 60 minutes for the campaign while also racking up 49 goals over the previous two years. There's a successful track record.
WINGS TO AVOID
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. WAS ($33): The 24-year-old winger's value takes a hit skating on the second line and not with Patrice Bergeron ($30) and Brad Marchand ($31). It's definitely not a deal breaker but Pastrnak has only recorded two assists through his past four games, so it might be best to look elsewhere with such a hefty salary.
Pavel Buchnevich, NYR at NYI ($24): The Islanders allow the fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five and the second fewest goals overall, so this is a tough matchup for Buchnevich. Additionally, the 25-year-old Russian has missed the scoresheet in five of his past eight outings.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT at NJ ($22): As noted, this is a soft matchup for the Penguins and Letang is scorching hot with two tallies, 10 helpers, four power-play points and five multi-point showings through his past nine games. He also moves the needle in the peripheral categories with a plus-13 rating, 93 shots and 50 blocks through 40 games this year.
Steven Kampfer, BOS vs. WAS ($11): Matt Grzelcyk ($18) left Saturday's game with an upper-body injury. If he doesn't return, Kampfer is a candidate to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit. Kampfer has never posted noticeable NHL numbers, but he's shown signs and this is more about present opportunity than past results. And the salary opens up cap space.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Adam Fox, NYR at NYI ($27): The Islanders snapped Fox's 11-game point streak Friday, but his salary actually climbed for Sunday's rematch. The 23-year-old defenseman is having a banner campaign and ranks sixth in points per 60 minutes among regular blueliners over the past two seasons. This fade call is about the noted daunting matchup and not Fox's play.
Mattias Ekholm, NSH vs. DAL ($18): Since No. 1 defenseman Roman Josi ($23) returned Mar. 23, Ekholm has only found the scoresheet in two of 10 games and his power-play time has dipped to 1:01 per contest. And with Dallas surrendering the sixth fewest goals per game, there probably are better targets from Ekholm's salary range.
