This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The Canadiens and Bruins are significant favorites Sunday, while the Canucks are receiving short home chalk with the Yahoo featured contests only including the three evening games. Here's a quick-hit primer to aid your lineup selections.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, OTT vs. MON ($20): This is a letdown spot for the Canadiens after losing to Toronto 5-3 Saturday, and there's potential for Murray to pad his fantasy point total through saves as Montreal has attempted the most shots per 60 minutes in the league. With a minimum salary at the position, he's a prime candidate as a No. 2 goalie option.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jake Allen, MTL vs. OTT ($36): The Montreal backup has been spectacular this year with a .933 save percentage 2.01 GAA through six starts, so this is more a salary fade. The Habs are traveling to face Ottawa on Sunday in a back-to-back set, and the Senators have generated the fifth most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season. That makes Allen's contest-high salary worrisome.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at VAN ($27): In a shallow player pool, Scheifele is as close as it comes to automatic regardless of salary point. He's marked the scoresheet in 15 of 17 games for the campaign for an elite nine tallies and 13 helpers. Also, Vancouver has surrendered the second most goals and most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season, so the matchup also checks out.
CENTER TO AVOID
Kevin Hayes, PHI at BOS ($20): The Bruins have surrendered the fourth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season while also sporting the second best penalty-kill percentage in the league, so this isn't a favorable matchup to target Hayes. The 28-year-old center has also produced a career-high 17.6 shooting percentage, so statistical correction isn't in his favor moving forward.
WING
Kyle Connor, WPG at VAN ($23): The Jets loaded up their No. 1 line to include Connor with Mark Scheifele ($27) and Blake Wheeler ($18), and the trio has clicked for 5.36 goals per 60 minutes this season. With Vancouver's noted defensive shortcomings, Connor is a stack candidate alongside Scheifele.
Drake Batherson, OTT vs. MON ($11): A low-salary target skating in an offensive role, Batherson is beginning 60.0 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone while logging 3:46 minutes of power-play time per game this season. He's also tied for second on the Senators in shot attempts. As noted, Montreal is also in a tough schedule spot.
WINGS TO AVOID
James van Riemsdyk, PHI at BOS ($21): As noted, the Bruins offer a difficult matchup, so spending up for JVR is risky. His 4.78 points per 60 minutes this season is not only unsustainable, but also ranks among the league's elite.
Brendan Gallagher, MON at OTT ($19): The veteran has only recorded double-digit fantasy points in three of the past nine games while averaging a modest 15:13 of ice time (1:36 with the man advantage). Ottawa definitely checks out as a favorable matchup, but as noted Montreal is also playing its second game in as many nights.
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. PHI ($20): Back on the No. 1 power-play unit, McAvoy's value rises with Philadelphia posting a third worst 71.4 penalty-kill percentage. He's also collected 12 points through the past 11 games while averaging 23:48 of ice time with 2:27 of that on the power play.
Tucker Poolman, WPG at VAN ($10): Another low-salary target, Poolman has collected 11 shots and 10 blocks through six games, so there's a respectable fantasy floor to target. While there's limited offensive upside, he's a decent flyer to fill out lineups.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. WPG ($17): While a talented offensive defenseman, Hughes has only recorded three double-digit fantasy point showings through the past 14 games and carries a minus-14 rating during the stretch. The plus-minus risk can't be ignored in this scoring setting,
Ivan Provorov, PHI at BOS ($17): As noted, this represents a tough matchup for Provorov and the Flyers. So, it's probably not the best spot to expect him to break out of his current scoring woes. After all, Provorov has only collected two assists through his past seven games.
