This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
There are 11 games in the NHL on Sunday, and the main contests at Yahoo! include the five evening matchups beginning at 8 p.m. EST. The Avalanche and Blues are the largest favorites on the docket, while the highest over/under totals are in the Sabres-Capitals, Maple Leafs-Flames, Rangers-Penguins and Oilers-Jets games.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, NYI at NJD ($35): The Russian netminder has turned away 81 of 82 shots to start the campaign en route to three wins and two shutouts. Not only has New Jersey only scored 2.16 goals per 60 minutes to start the season, the Devils were held to just two high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Isles.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Laurent Brossoit, WPG vs. EDM ($23): This is a back-to-back spot for the Jets, whereas the Oilers have been off since losing to Toronto 4-2 on Friday. Edmonton paces the league in high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, and there's positive regression ahead of the Oilers' current 13.0 power-play percentage after posting a league-high 29.5 mark last year. Brossoit has been a respectable backup through his three-year, 41-game stint with the Jets with a .912 save percentage, but a quick look at his game log shows notable inconsistency.
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at ANA ($34): The last time MacKinnon was held off the scoresheet, he rebounded with a three-point night. He's been on the ice for a jaw-dropping 26.02 high-danger scoring chances this season and already collected a respectable two tallies and five helpers through five games. While the Ducks have surrendered just six five-on-five goals through five games, MacKinnon is a matchup-proof talent
CENTER TO AVOID
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. EDM ($26): With three consecutive multi-point showings against Ottawa, Scheifele is red hot. However, it's a step up in class versus the Oilers. He'll spend nearly every second of ice time lined up against Connor McDavid ($35) and/or Leon Draisaitl ($34), which isn't a favorable fantasy setup. Add the noted back-to-back set, and Scheifele carries even more risk.
WINGS
Pavel Buchnevich, NYR at PIT ($19): The 25-year-old Russian logged a season-high 22:12 of ice time during Friday's overtime loss and attempted eight shots, including two of the high-danger variety. His line also dominated possession at five-on-five with a 71.4 Corsi For percentage, so look for Buchnevich, Ryan Strome ($19) and Artemi Panarin ($30) to be involved again Sunday.
Kailer Yamamoto, EDM at WPG ($17): With a rock-solid 3.29 points per 60 minutes dating back to last season, Yamamoto's probably a little underappreciated because Connor McDavid ($35) and Leon Draisaitl ($34) hog the headlines. The Jets will be playing their second game in consecutive nights, while the Oilers are coming off the noted disappointing 4-2 loss to Toronto. And it'll likely be backup Laurent Brossoit ($23) in goal for Winnipeg, who has managed wildly inconsistent stats with the Jets in the form of a mediocre .912 save percentage through 41 games over three years.
WINGS TO AVOID
Conor Garland, ARI vs VGK ($19): Don't overreact to Garland's 22.5 fantasy point showing against the Golden Knights on Friday. The 24-year-old winger is off to a hot start with two tallies, four helpers and 20 shots through five and has also been on the ice for 20.23 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes to start the campaign, so there's merit to his numbers. However, banking on a rebound performance from Vegas is probably smart money.
Roope Hintz, DAL vs. NSH ($18): The Stars scored five power-play goals and added a shorthanded tally in Friday's 7-0 thumping of the Predators. Hintz collected a pair of assists with the man advantage, but didn't register a single shot attempt at five-on-five. And prior to Friday's horrible showing, Nashville had only surrendered seven goals through three games. The Preds are another team positioned for a bounce-back showing.
DEFENSEMEN
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at WAS ($12): It's been a tough start for the third-year defenseman, but it's next to impossible to overlook Dahlin's upside at this salary. After all, he finished eighth in points per 60 minutes among all regular blueliners in the league last season, and should return to playing his usual minutes after being benched Friday. However, it's definitely important to look into Dahlin's projected role before slotting him into your lineup.
Noah Dobson, NYI at NJD ($12): This represents a reasonable salary to take a flyer on the sophomore. Dobson is skating with the No. 1 power-play unit and has compiled three helpers, five shots and 12 blocks while averaging 18:10 of ice time per game - including 4:14 with the man advantage. The 2018 12th overall selection is trending in the right direction, and New Jersey has surrendered seven goals over its past two games - likely a trend that'll continue if No. 1 goalie MacKenzie Blackwood doesn't return from the COVID-19 protocol list.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Brent Burns, SJ at MIN ($23): A high-risk, high-reward target, Burns has missed the scoresheet in four of five games to start the year. The night he did, the veteran posted 19.6 fantasy points. Burns is willing to block shots and has attempted a team-high 39 this season, so there should be a respectable floor. Unfortunately, he's also a plus-minus risk. Minnesota has also allowed only 13 high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five through four, so the matchup probably isn't ideal.
Ty Smith, NJD vs. NYI ($18): Smith has found the scoresheet in all four games to start the season, but the rookie is playing a supporting role with an average of 16:27 of ice time per game - including 1:44 with the man advantage. This also represents a poor matchup, as the Islanders held New Jersey to just two high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five during on Thursday. And as noted, expected starting goalie Semyon Varlamov ($35) has been spectacular to start the year.
