This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The three evening NHL games beginning at 6 p.m. EDT are included in the main contests at Yahoo on Sunday. The Rangers and Lightning are significant favorites, whereas the Flyers are also receiving notable chalk. Here are picks and pans for each position.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
GOALIE
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. BUF ($36): This is a bounce-back spot for the young Russian, as Shesterkin has surrendered nine goals through his past two starts - both losses. He posted a 7-2-2 record, .929 save percentage and 2.24 GAA through his previous 12 appearances while the Sabres have scored the fourth fewest goals per game in the league, so a return to form in the soft matchup shouldn't surprise.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CLS ($42): There are three obvious fades based on the odds alone. But with Carter Hart ($20) expected to return, you can slot him and Shesterkin in and still have plenty of cap space for quality skaters. Vasilevskiy comes in as the most expensive netminder and has been a little inconsistent of late. Although, his up-and-down play has still resulted in a rock-solid 6-5 record, .923 save percentage and 2.66 GAA, so this is more about cap allocation than anything.
CENTER
Alex Barre-Boulet, TB vs. CLS ($10): Projected to skate on the No. 1 line with Brayden Point ($24) and Ondrej Palat ($21) again Sunday, Barre-Boulet is a solid target with a contest-minimum salary. While the 23-year-old forward hasn't found the scoresheet through seven NHL games this season, he's been a dominant AHL scorer with 69 goals and 67 goals through 144 games. Of note, the Blue Jackets have surrendered the sixth most goals per game in the league.
CENTER TO AVOID
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. BUF ($30): Another fade based solely on salary, Zibanejad has found the scoresheet in nine of his past 11 games for four tallies and 10 helpers. There's also nothing scary about the matchup with the Sabres surrendering a healthy 3.38 goals per game. Still, the personal preference from the Blueshirts is Artemi Panarin ($34) if you're spending up.
WING
Artemi Panarin, NYR vs. BUF ($34): The Sabres have allowed the fifth most goals per game, so this is a favorable spot for Panarin. He's collected 26 points - including nine goals - through the past 14 games to improve to a second-ranked 4.5 points per 60 minutes for the campaign.
Wade Allison, PHI vs. NJ ($10): The 2016 second-round selection posted four goals and five assists through eight AHL games before being promoted to the Flyers. Allison is projected to skate in a top-six role with Kevin Hayes ($12) and Joel Farabee ($12), so he's positioned for success at minimum salary. The Devils have also given up the third most goals per game.
WINGS TO AVOID
Sam Reinhart, BUF at NYR ($19): With seven goals and a 26.9 shooting percentage through his past eight games, Reinhart is locked in. His season-long shooting percentage is up to an unsustainably high 19.0, so statistical correction looms. He's probably best viewed as a contrarian flyer considering the Rangers have allowed just 2.63 goals per game and sport the NHL's fourth best penalty-kill percentage.
DEFENSE
Adam Fox, NYR vs. BUF ($27): Dating back to mid-March, Fox has racked up 28 points, 35 shots, 32 blocks and a plus-19 rating while climbing up to a fourth-ranked 2.24 points per 60 minutes among regular blueliners this season. His contributions in the secondary statistics also provide a high floor. In the soft matchup, Fox is another strong option from the Rangers.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. NJ ($15): The 28-year-old defenseman is projected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit Sunday and the Devils come in with the league's worst penalty-kill percentage. Gostisbehere has only collected a single power-play point through his past 13 games despite averaging 2:32 of ice time per game with the man advantage during the drought. Look for positive regression in the plus-matchup.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Seth Jones, CLS at TB ($17): While this is probably a reasonable salary for Jones, it's hard to rely on him in the tough matchup against Tampa Bay. The Lightning have held him to just three points through seven meetings this season and have also allowed the seventh fewest goals per game in the league. It's also worth noting Jones has only reached double-digit fantasy points twice through his past 15 showings.
Ryan Lindgren, NYR vs. BUF ($15): The 23-year-old defenseman ranks 76th in points per 60 minutes among regular blueliners this season, so his fantasy value is primarily tied to the peripheral statistics. His 60 shots and 49 blocks through 48 games don't leap off the page. Keep expectations in check if turning to Lindgren on Sunday.
