This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's NHL slate is a small one, with just four games on the docket beginning at 6:00 PM ET. Despite the limited selection, there are still a number of players in position to deliver excellent bang for the buck, as well as certain guys to avoid.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. FLA ($34): Fleury's been sharp since returning from injury, posting at least 15.0 fantasy points in both subsequent games while allowing a combined three goals on 62 shots for a .952 save percentage. The Panthers are 6-9-2 on the road and have been outscored 3.37 to 2.84 per game on average overall, so Fleury's in position to nab a second consecutive win.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at STL ($35): Hellebuyck's allowed at least four goals in three of his past four starts, making him a risky choice against a Blues team that's scoring 3.12 goals per game. Both teams started their respective backup goalies in the first leg of their weekend back-to-back Saturday, so Hellebuyck will have to outperform Jake Allen -- who's 17-8-2 with a 2.54 GAA and .911 save percentage-- to notch a win here.
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CENTER
Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. MIN ($17): This is a great buy-low opportunity, as Toews remains affordable at $17 despite posting three goals, three assists and 20 shots in his past seven games. The veteran center's long track record of success suggests he'll continue to stay productive, and there's little reason to expect him to slow down at home against a Central Division rival Wild team that's missing starting netminder Devan Dubnyk (lower body).
CENTER TO AVOID
Mikael Backlund, CGY at VAN ($16): Backlund's been in a rut of late, with no goals and just one helper in his last six games heading into the weekend. The gap in value between Sean Monahan ($21) and Backlund is much larger than their $5 price difference suggests.
WINGS
Brock Boeser, VAN vs. CGY ($21): Boeser carries a five-game point streak into this contest and now has 17 goals and 30 points in 30 games. A team-best 14 of those points have come with the extra man, which makes Boeser even more dangerous against a Flames team that ranks third-worst on the penalty kill at 76.7 percent. It also helps that Calgary's playing the second night of a back-to-back.
James Neal, VGK vs. FLA ($21): Neal's three goals and five points in the past five games have him up to 15 and 24, respectively, this season. The sniper's chances of potting another one are strong against a Panthers club that's allowing the third-most goals per game and continues to operate without starting netminder Roberto Luongo (lower body).
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WINGS TO AVOID
Mathieu Perreault, WPG vs. STL ($17): Perreault's come up short of his season average 12:30 ice time per game in five consecutive appearances, so he's not going to have a lot of opportunities to rack up value. That lack of ice time will make it extremely difficult for Perreault to make his mark in this difficult matchup given Allen's aforementioned success in net for St. Louis.
Alexander Steen, STL at WPG ($17): Steen's 13-game stretch without a goal heading into the weekend has dipped his average to 5.8 fantasy points per game, making him just one of three wingers priced at $17 or more sitting below 6.0. Winnipeg's 11-3-1 at home and Hellebuyck still owns a 16-4-4 record, 2.55 GAA and .917 save percentage despite the recent struggles, so there's not much value to be had with Steen here.
DEFENSEMEN
Tyler Myers, WPG vs. STL ($17): Myers has stepped up offensively with Dustin Byfuglien (lower body) sidelined, dishing out helpers in each of his team's first two games without Byfuglien and playing over 23 minutes in three straight. Given that the towering blueliner already has 10 points with the extra man, the increased offensive duties have an excellent chance of paying off here.
Mark Giordano, CGY at VAN ($17): Giordano continues to provide a tremendous floor thanks to gaudy totals in blocks and shots. His offensive totals have started to climb with four points in the past six games, and that progress should continue against a Canucks team that's surrendered 23 goals in going 1-4-0 over its past five games. Giordano' combination of safety and upside in this matchup make him an excellent value at $17.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Duncan Keith, CHI vs. MIN ($19): Keith still doesn't have a goal this season and has dished out only one assist in his past six games, so he doesn't bring the offensive upside typical of a blueliner at his price. With plenty of high-ceiling alternatives available at lower prices even in this meager slate, Keith shouldn't be a hot DFS commodity.
Dougie Hamilton, CGY at VAN ($17): Hamilton's outclassed by the equally-priced Giordano, and he's done nothing to change that with zero points in his past six games. Even given Vancouver's poor recent form, Hamilton's not a smart pick.
