This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There's only one NHL game Sunday, and that means Showdown-style contests on DraftKings. With this type of contest, you get $50,000 in salary to spend on six players. One is your captain, and while their salary is elevated, their production gets you 1.5 times the points.
Sunday's game sees the Capitals hosting the Canucks. Both teams played Saturday, which means this one involves two teams on the second leg of a back-to-back. Washington gets to be at home, but it was on the road Saturday, for what it's worth. Also, I must note this game is at 2 p.m. EST. You have to get your lineup in early to play DFS hockey Sunday.
CAPTAIN
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. VAN ($13,800): Kuznetsov gets the benefit of being attached to the hip with Alex Ovechkin, be it on the Capitals' first line or the top power-play unit. That's helped the Russian tally 36 points in 35 games and one point in each of his last three games. Jaroslav Halak entered COVID-19 protocols on Saturday, which has thrown the Canucks through a loop. At the moment, it seems like Thatcher Demko will be stuck pulling double duty this weekend.
FLEX
John Carlson, WAS vs. VAN ($9,600): Carlson has been his usual prolific self, with 32 points in 38 games. He's also averaged more than four minutes per contest on the power play. That could be really beneficial here, as the Canucks have a bottom-five penalty kill, and they are also on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back.
Conor Garland, VAN at WAS ($7,600): In addition to his 24 points in 37 games, Garland has put 107 shots on net to lead the Canucks. While the Capitals are top five in shots on goal allowed per game, Garland might be able to overcome that. Plus, since Vitek Vanecek started Saturday, Ilya Samsonov will likely be in net Sunday. He's really struggled recently, with a 3.31 GAA and .887 save percentage in his last nine outings.
Elias Pettersson, VAN at WAS ($7,200): Pettersson has started a whopping 70.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Canucks. He's had terrible puck luck this year, but he came into this season with a 17.6 shooting percentage. The Swede will turn it around. Maybe facing Samsonov will benefit him, as Samsonov does have a .903 save percentage.
Brock Boeser, VAN at WAS ($7,000): Boeser has never had fewer than 45 points in a season, and never had fewer than 14 points with the extra man in a campaign either. He's not 17 points in 31 games this year while putting 85 shots on net. I've noted Samsonov's struggles this year a couple times already, and let's not forget the Capitals are on a back-to-back.
Daniel Sprong, WAS vs. VAN ($5,000): Sprong could see more minutes than usual in this game, as T.J. Oshie left Saturday's contest early and is considered day-to-day. The winger also has five points in his last 10 games. Vancouver is on the road and has questions in net with Halak out and Demko having played Saturday. I was able to fit Sprong in under the $50,000 salary cap, and he provides some upside.
