This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
As per usual, there are afternoon games Sunday for the NHL, but the earliest one starts at 2:00 PM ET. Thus, I decided to include the full six-game slate for my DFS recommendations. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your lineup.
GOALIE
Curtis McElhinney, TAM at NJD ($26): McElhinney isn't doing particularly well in limited action, but I really like his chances of winning this game. He should get plenty of offensive support, as the Lightning boast the best offense in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Devils rank in the bottom-five in goals per game. Also, the Devils are on the second night of a back-to-back and MacKenzie Blackwood may not return for this game. That could mean third-string goalie Evan Cormier in net.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jonathan Bernier, DET vs. BUF ($35): Yes, the Sabres played Saturday and the Red Wings are at home. Still, under no circumstances should Bernier be the second-most-expensive goalie any day of the week. He comes in with a 2.99 GAA and .904 save percentage and has the lowest-producing offense and one of the worst penalty kills in front of him. There is zero value to be had here at this price.
CENTER
Blake Wheeler, WPG vs. NAS ($23): The Jets needed a second-line center and moved Wheeler into that position, where he's been crushing it with 17 points in his last 13 games - including seven with the extra man. Nashville's goaltending has compiled a 3.30 GAA and the club also maintains a bottom-five penalty kill.
CENTER TO AVOID
Evgeni Malkin, PIT at ARI ($31): Malkin has had to shoulder the load while Sidney Crosby has been out, and now he doesn't have Jake Guentzel on his wing anymore. The Coyotes enter with a 2.53 GAA and the second-best penalty kill, so this is shaping up to a tough test for Geno. Even if Antti Raanta can't play, Adin Hill has posted a 2.42 GAA and .925 save percentage in limited action.
WING
Tyler Bertuzzi, DET vs. BUF ($17): While I don't believe in Jonathan Bernier, I do like Bertuzzi getting the Sabres on the second leg of a back-to-back. In the midst of a brutal season in the Motor City, Bertuzzi is leading the Red Wings with 34 points in 45 games. Buffalo has also struggled away from home, as it has struggled to a 3.61 road GAA.
Kevin Fiala, MIN vs. VAN ($16): It took Fiala a little while to get rolling this season, but he's notched nine points over his last 12 games. Also, in two of those contests, he was held without a point but racked up six shots on goal. Like the Sabres, the Canucks are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back and have underperformed on the road with a 3.55 GAA.
WINGS TO AVOID
Bryan Rust, PIT at ARI ($26): Rust has already tied his career high in goals with 18, so it's not surprising to note he also has registered a career-best 18.4 shooting percentage. People have taken notice, as he's the fifth-priciest wing Sunday. However, he's facing a Coyotes' team with a 2.53 GAA, so Rust's breakout campaign could get a dose of cold water in this one.
Taylor Hall, ARI vs. PIT ($23): Hall has recorded eight points in 12 games since joining the Coyotes. He also has an 8.3 shooting percentage in Arizona, which is actually on par based on his career. Of course, the real daunting thing here for the Hart Trophy winner is Tristan Jarry and his 2.04 GAA and .934 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Mikhail Sergachev, TAM at NJD ($19): Sergachev has started 60.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Lightning. That's helped him notch 23 points in 44 games, with nine of those on the power play. If MacKenzie Blackwood is able to return, he has a 2.97 GAA and .905 save percentage and will be behind a team that just played yesterday. If Blackwood can't start, Evan Cormier will probably make his NHL debut.
Neal Pionk, WPG vs. NAS ($17): The Jets needed somebody to step up on defense this year, and Pionk has been that man. He's tallied 29 points and 96 shots on net in 45 games, and that includes 16 power-play points. The Predators' penalty-kill percentage is comparable to the Red Wings, which should tell you all you need to know. And, of course, they come in with a 3.30 GAA and .889 save percentage.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Alexander Edler, VAN at MIN ($18): Edler had a four-game point streak after returning from injury, but now he's been held without a point across his last four outings. Now, he will be on the road for the second contest of a back-to-back. The Wild haven't been good defensively, but they have a 2.84 home GAA and only average 29.1 shots on net against during those contests.
P.K. Subban, NJD vs. TAM ($18): The Devils had a nice day Saturday, scoring five goals against the Caps. Subban wasn't part of any of them, and that's been par for the course. For whatever reason, he's having a brutal campaign, with only 10 points in 44 games. That includes a single point with the extra man. It doesn't really matter who is in net for Tampa, as I don't like Subban at this price in any matchup.
