This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Even if you are playing the evening slate for daily fantasy hockey Sunday, you'll have to get your lineup in a little earlier. The four-game slate starts at 6:00 PM ET, an hour earlier than usual. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. MON ($7,600): If you are looking for a silver lining on Luongo, he's recorded a 2.59 GAA over his last six home games. That's worth something, especially since Luongo is on the cheaper end. Other points increasing his winning chances are that the Canadiens will be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back and will likely start Antti Niemi.
CENTER
Nico Hischier, NJD vs. BUF ($6,200): Hischier has started 54.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, tied for highest among New Jersey forwards. The first-overall pick from last year also has racked up 10 points and 24 shots on net during his last nine games. Buffalo have posted a 3.11 road GAA, and Linus Ullmark has struggled to a 3.41 GAA and .883 save percentage over his last 11 games.
Nolan Patrick, PHI at DET ($4,300): Patrick was drafted second behind Hischier. And while he hasn't quite lived up to that yet, he's been recently showing some of that potential. With three points Saturday, Patrick has recorded 12 points in his last 13 games. Philly and Detroit played each other Saturday, so they are both on a back-to-back. But Jonathan Bernier is projected to be in net for the Wings. That's the same Bernier who comes in with a 3.37 GAA and .898 save percentage.
WING
Sam Reinhart, BUF at NJD ($6,000): Reinhart has recently been moved to the second line – away from Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner – but he hasn't stopped scoring. He's still managed five points in his last six games, and continues to receive plenty of power-play time. Plus, you don't need great linemates to score against a team like the Devils, who have slumped to a 3.45 GAA.
Evgenii Dadonov, FLA vs. MON ($5,500): Dadonov scored 28 goals in his return from Russia last season, and has potted 20 goals this year. He's also averaged 3:30 per game with the extra man, notching 13 power-play points. Since Carey Price started Saturday, Antti Niemi with his 3.61 GAA and .893 save percentage will likely be in net for this one.
Tyler Bertuzzi, DET vs. PHI ($4,500): Bertuzzi returned Saturday from injury, notching a goal and an assist in the process. Prior to his absence, he had totaled three goals and three assists in five contests. Carter Hart has stabilized things in net for the Flyers, but he started Saturday and likely won't be able to go Sunday. That will likely mean Mike McKenna and his .892 save percentage in net.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. MON ($5,400): Yandle has averaged 3:41 per game with the extra man, racking up 27 power-play points. The Canadiens enter with the 20th-ranked penalty kill, but remember they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back and will likely be starting Antti Niemi.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at NJD ($4,600): Despite being a rookie teenager, Dahlin has averaged over 20 minutes per game – including 2:45 with the extra man. He's notched a point in four of his last six games, and three of those have been on the power play. The Devils come in with a 3.45 GAA, but Keith Kinkaid has struggled with a 4.28 GAA and .865 save percentage over his last 14 outings.
