This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Sunday's NHL schedule is getting started early, with the first game beginning at 3:00 PM ET. There are seven games on the slate and if you happen to miss that 3:00 deadline, you can play contests starting at 5:00 with six games worth of players from which to choose. Here are my recommendations for the full selection of games.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. NJD ($8,100): Hellebuyck is off to a slow start, but it's too early to be concerned. After all, he did excel with a 2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage last year. The Devils, meanwhile, rank 17th in goals scored and they've also gone 1-6-0 on the road.
CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. OTT ($6,600): Last season, Trocheck broke out with 31 goals and 75 points, including 27 on the power play. He's registered 11 points in 13 games this year, including five with the extra man. The Senators own the league's worst GAA, and they will be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. That could mean Mike McKenna in net, and the 35-year-old has been trying – and failing – to stick in the NHL for a decade.
Alex Kerfoot, COL at EDM ($4,700): Kerfoot has picked up five points in his last four games. He's also notched four power-play points after recording 17 last season. That could pay off in this matchup, as the Oilers rank 25th on the penalty kill.
WING
Joe Pavelski, SAN vs. CGY ($7,000): Pavelski doesn't have an assist yet, but has potted seven goals on 49 shots. The Flames are another team on the road for the second day of a back-to-back, and Mike Smith will likely be in goal since David Rittich started on Saturday. That would be the same Smith who has struggled to a 3.66 GAA and .872 save percentage.
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. NJD ($5,200): Connor surprised with 31 goals as a rookie last year, and this year he's already picked up seven goals in 15 games. He's also added five helpers for good measure. New Jersey sports a league bottom-five 3.50 GAA, along with a .891 team save percentage.
Alex Tuch, VGK at BOS ($4,800): Tuch missed the beginning of the season with an injury, but has returned to notch eight points and 35 shots on goal over nine games. Normally, the Bruins wouldn't be much of a matchup to try and exploit. However, Boston will be on the second game of a back-to-back. Tuukka Rask is away from the team for personal reasons, which means either Daniel Vladar will be in net or Jaroslav Halak will have to play his second game in as many nights.
DEFENSE
Ryan Suter, MIN at STL ($5,400): Is Suter actually aging? The 33-year-old has played 26:02 per game – including 2:58 on the power play – and has also scored 13 points in 16 games. On the other hand, the Blues come in with a 3.43 GAA, and neither Jake Allen nor Chad Johnson boast a track record of reliability in net.
Thomas Chabot, OTT at FLA ($4,900): Chabot didn't find the score sheet Saturday night, but that has been a rare occurrence. He's racked up 22 points in 17 games, and he still had fantasy value on Saturday by blocking six shots. Like many teams playing Sunday, the Panthers are on the second leg of a back-to-back, and James Reimer – with his 3.36 GAA and .885 save percentage – should be in goal.
