This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
This Sunday doesn't have any afternoon games, which makes looking at the docket for the NHL easier. The first game doesn't start until 7 p.m. EST, so we don't even get one of those 6 p.m. starts or something like that. That part is simple. The part where you have to pick a DFS lineup? That's a bit trickier, but hopefully I can help.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are five games taking place Sunday. The Ducks and Blues are playing each other, and both are on a back-to-back. However, St. Louis got to stay at home, while Anaheim had to travel all the way from Pittsburgh. Additionally, the Hurricanes and Wild are also on the road for the second night of a back-to-back.
GOALIES
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. CAR ($7,500): Normally I wouldn't want a goalie facing the Hurricanes, but they are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back. On top of that, Demko has been hot in net recently. Over his last 10 games he's posted an 1.99 GAA and .938 save percentage.
Juuse Saros, NAS at NYR ($7,400): Saros returned after missing a couple games and looked no worse for the wear making 29 saves on 31 shots. He has a 2.35 GAA and .921 save percentage. The Rangers have scored 3.00 goals per contest, but they've also only averaged 28.6 shots on net per game. Meanwhile, the Predators have only allowed 29.6 shots on goal per contest.
VALUE PLAYS
Trevor Zegras, ANA at STL ($5,900): Zegras is currently the first-line center for the Ducks, and he's dishing out assists like he wants to stay there. Over his last 11 games he has 12 helpers. Right now, the Blues are missing their top-two goalies. That means Jon Gillies, who just signed a two-way deal with the team, will likely be in net.
Elias Pettersson, VAN vs. CAR ($4,400): Like with Demko in net, I like Pettersson in what is normally a tough matchup but the dynamic changes with the Hurricanes on the second leg of a back-to-back. Pettersson has been snakebit, as he has a 6.3 shooting percentage. That will almost definitely improve, probably significantly. Additionally, Pettersson has started a whopping 71.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Canucks.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Panthers at Avalanche: Sam Bennett (C - $7,800), Jonathan Huberdeau (W - $7,200), Sam Reinhart (W - $5,000)
This is tentative, as Aleksander Barkov might be back in the lineup for the Panthers. If he is, he'll be centering this line, not Bennett. However, I am not going to risk recommending Barkov, especially at this salary, given that he's missed nine of Florida's last 10 games. The Avalanche may be the highest-scoring team in the league, but they also have a 3.42 GAA.
Bennett is getting bigger minutes than ever, as he's averaged 18:39 in ice time, and 3:32 on the power play. He's also shooting more than ever, as he's put 83 shots on net in 22 games. Huberdeau has a five-game point streak, and he's notched at least one point in 11 of his last 12 outings. Reinhart has 20 points in his last 26 games, and five of his eight goals have come in his last seven contests.
Golden Knights vs. Wild: William Karlsson (C - $3,900), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $5,400), Reilly Smith (W - $4,900)
The Wild saved Cam Talbot for this one, but they are still on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. Karlsson recently returned from injury, and he has a point in each of his last two games. Marchessault also missed some time, but he has four points in his last six contests. He's also put 26 shots on net in those games. This whole line is actually hot right now, as Smith has nine points in his last 10 games.
DEFENSE
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA at COL ($5,300): Weegar is dishing out assists, as he has 15 helpers in 26 games. He may not have a goal, but he has put 55 shots on net. His career 5.1 shooting percentage indicates that he is going to score eventually. Maybe it will happen against the Avalanche with their 3.42 GAA.
Cam Fowler, ANA at STL ($3,400): Fowler has tallied 15 points in 29 games, including eight on the power play. He's always been one of the more-accurate shooters as a defenseman, as he has a career 6.2 shooting percentage. Again, there's a good chance Gillies will be in net for the Blues, and he hasn't played in the NHL since the 2017-18 season.
