Yahoo DFS Hockey: Sunday Picks

Yahoo DFS Hockey: Sunday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.

The NHL features only four games on the schedule Sunday, but there is still plenty of value to be found.

GOALIE

Al Montoya, FLA vs. MIN ($32) - Roberto Luongo started in net Saturday for the Panthers, the NHL's hottest team, likely leaving goal-tending duty to Montoya on Sunday as the Panthers skate for their ninth consecutive victory. Montoya's been a credible presence filling in for Luongo this season. He's allowed only one goal in each of his last three starts (all wins) and owns a stunning .930 save mark over his eight outings. His price provides some savings over the top goalies, too.

Goalie to Avoid:

Jaroslav Halak, NYI vs. DAL ($31) - Halak is expected to be activated off IR and start in net after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury. The Islanders are playing the second of a back-to-back against a Stars team that has scored at least three goals in six of its last eight. That doesn't bode well for a goalie at his price.

CENTER

Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. OTT ($19) - Toews has scored 34 fantasy points in his last three games and has five goals and three assists in his last 10. The Blackhawks are heavy favorites against the Senators, who have lost four of their last five, and Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson allowed seven goals in his last outing, as well. The Blackhawks should put up a few goals Sunday, and if so, you can bet their first-line center will be involved, making him a great value at his price.

Center to Avoid:

Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. WPG ($23) - Getzlaf has just one point in his last three games and still only has three goals this season. He got into a bit of an assists streak recently with helpers in three consecutive games, but that's a bit lacking for the third-most expensive center. What's more, Winnipeg has allowed just six goals in its last six games, giving up no more than one goal in five.

WING

Blake Wheeler, WPG at ANA ($26) - Wheeler, who had two assists Saturday, has 39 points in 38 games and continues to excel on Winnipeg's top line and first power-play unit. His consistent production and willingness to shoot the puck make him one of the most reliable fantasy players around. He hasn't scored in his last eight games but has nine assists in that span.

Jamie Benn, DAL at NYI ($34) -
Benn is the most expensive winger on the board, but saving money elsewhere will help fit him into the lineup. And with a limited slate Sunday, he could pay off big. He broke a seven-game points streak Saturday despite six shots on goal but likely will take another bevy of shots Sunday after 11 in his last two games. He has a league-leading 24 goals, 28 assists and a plus-22, also tops in the NHL, in 39 games this season. Benn has been dynamite on a Dallas squad that is leading the Western Conference in points.

Wings to Avoid:

Andrew Ladd, WPG at ANA ($18) - Ladd's in a bit of a slump with just four points in his last 11 games. He's averaged just 2.2 shots per game in that span. He was temporarily demoted to the third line seven games ago but has not responded since rejoining his usual spot in the lineup. Avoid him until he gets it going again.

DEFENSE

Erik Karlsson, OTT at CHI ($30) - Karlsson is the most expensive defenseman Sunday -- by $7 -- but he's clearly the top option at his position. That might lead some to fade him, but Karlsson likely will pay off nicely on a day with only eight teams playing. He has nine points in his last eight games and should have plenty of opportunities to continue to score at a high rate, as he leads the team in ice time with 28:03 per game.

John Klingberg, DAL at NYI ($19) -
Klingberg has assists in three consecutive games in what has been a coming out party for him this season. His pace has slowed from earlier in the season, but the shots could start falling again as he keeps getting opportunities -- he has 10 shots on goal in his last four games. And he has a good matchup as New York goalie Jaroslav Halak could be rusty after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury.

Defenseman to Avoid:

Dustin Byfuglien, WPG at ANA ($23) - Byfuglien has assists in back-to-back games, so maybe he's coming out of his cold stretch. But that's too much to hope for at his price, the second most expensive among defensemen. In his last nine games, he has just one point aside from the aforementioned helpers. His 24 shots on goal in that span don't tell the whole story, either. He had 10 shots Dec. 21 vs. Edmonton; in his other eight games, he averaged only 1.75 shots per game.

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The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Thornbury
Thornbury is a senior editor at RotoWire. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he has also worked in sports television and radio, including co-hosting RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius XM.
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