This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's a quiet two-game night in the NHL on Sunday and Yahoo has a pair of single-game contests where you're not position-restricted and select five players while staying under a $115 salary cap.
The Stars are favored on the road over the Blackhawks while Calgary is a home favorite against Ottawa. It's also worth noting the Flames are the only club not mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but Montreal only needs a single point through its next two to clinch the final playoff spot in the North Division. With that in mind, it's hard to know how motivated the players will be and how spirited these games will be with nothing on the line.
Here are a handful of picks and pans from the player pools of both of Sunday's contests.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Picks
Jacob Markstrom, CGY vs. OTT ($30): Look for a bounce-back showing from Markstrom after allowing four goals to Winnipeg on Wednesday considering he posted a high-end .930 save percentage and 1.72 GAA through his previous 10 starts. With the Flames still chasing down a playoff spot, they should be solid in front of Markstrom today.
Jake Oettinger, DAL at CHI ($30): The rookie has only won one of his past five starts, so this could prove to be a bounce-back spot. Oettinger has produced a respectable .914 save percentage and 2.30 GAA for the campaign and Chicago has only won once in its past seven contests. If Anton Khudobin ($27) starts, he's also a solid option after taking down the Lightning 5-2 on Friday.
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. OTT ($20): With 12 shots and six blocks through the past two outings, Giordano is finding ways to post fantasy points without contributing offensively. He's still the quarterback of the No. 1 power-play unit and the uptick in shot volume is encouraging.
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. OTT ($18): This salary probably doesn't match Gaudreau's current form. The pint-sized winger has recorded five tallies, seven helpers and marked the scoresheet in nine of the past 11 games. While the Sens are on an impressive 9-2-1 stretch, they've also still allowed the fourth most goals per game in the league.
John Klingberg, DAL at CHI ($14): With just a single assist through six games since returning from a lower-body injury, Klingberg's salary is down. He's projected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit Sunday while Chicago ranks 27th in the league with a 77.0 penalty-kill percentage.
Tim Stutzle, OTT at CGY ($12): The rookie is coming off a hat trick against Winnipeg on Saturday and warrants mention at his salary. And while Stutzle's game-to-game consistency lacks, he's still posted a respectable six goals and three assists through the past 13 games, which highlights his upside.
Joel Kiviranta, DAL at CHI ($11): The 25-year-old Finn skated with Roope Hintz ($22) and Joe Pavelski ($24) Friday and racked up 17.9 fantasy points. You'll want to double-check who his linemates are ahead of puck drop, but expect Kiviranta to be skating in a top-six role and therefore projects as a solid low-salary target.
Pans
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. DAL ($30): Dallas has surrendered the second fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five and the seventh fewest goals overall. Kane is obviously a matchup-proof scorer, but he's also cooled off with just a single goal and a minus-15 rating through the past 14 games.
Kevin Lankinen, CHI vs. DAL ($24): The wheels fell off for Lankinen down the stretch, as he's allowed 31 goals through his past eight appearances for an .868 save percentage and 4.42 GAA. Dallas is also coming off a strong 5-2 win over the Lightning, so it's probably not an ideal matchup.
