This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
There are four NHL games Sunday afternoon, but they are not included for daily fantasy purposes. As such, you have to choose your lineup from the five games in the evening, and here are some of the values I like best.
GOALIE
Anaheim Ducks, ANA vs. SAN ($15,800): San Jose is on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and its offense has been middling. The Sharks ranked 19th in goals per game heading into Saturday. John Gibson is back from injury, and he has a 2.62 GAA and a .922 save percentage. The Ducks have also been better at home, while the Sharks are 14-10-5 on the road, which still would bode well even if Ryan Miller minds the net instead.
CENTER
Erik Haula, VGK vs. PHI ($12,400): Haula has been on a tear, as he's notched six goals and six assists in his last 11 games (including six on the power play). The Flyers are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and their penalty kill is ranked 29th. Haula's recent power-play success could easily continue in this matchup.
Mikael Backlund, CGY at NYI ($11,600): Goals having been going in for Backlund, but his shooting percentage is 7.4, which is his worst since the 2011-12 season. He's put 28 shots on net in his last seven contests, so the opportunities have been there. Don't be surprised if he turns those shots into a goal in this one. The Islanders have a league-worst 3.68 team GAA, which is bottom of the league by a wide margin.
WING
James Neal, VGK vs. PHI ($12,600): Neal has started 55.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, the second-highest rank among Vegas forwards. He's made the most of his opportunities, netting 24 goals on 155 shots through 54 games. Since Brian Elliott started Saturday, there's a good chance Michal Neuvirth and his shaky .911 save percentage will be in net for the Flyers on Sunday.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY at NYI ($11,200): Tkachuk has taken major strides in his sophomore season. He's notched 18 goals and 19 assists through 53 games, including 12 power-play points. As previously noted, the Islanders have a 3.68 team GAA, but they've also given up 35.4 shots on net per contest. Both are the worst in the NHL. At least they don't have the worst penalty kill. There, they rank "only" 30th.
Mikko Rantanen, COL at BUF ($10,600): Rantanen, who picked up his 51st point of the season Saturday, has started 57.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. That's tops among Colorado forwards. The Sabres have a 3.28 team GAA and have allowed 32.6 shots on net per contest. They are on the second night of a back-to-back, and Buffalo isn't going to be any better on zero days of rest.
DEFENSEMEN
Torey Krug, BOS at NJD ($11,200): Krug has 11 points in his last 11 games, and he's put 29 shots on net in those contests. The Devils are playing their second game in as many nights, and on Saturday, Keith Kinkaid gave up six goals on 50 shots. With Cory Schneider (groin) hurt, Kinkaid may need to play again, or Eddie Lack (4.27 GAA) will get the start. Either way, it bodes well for Krug.
Erik Johnson, COL at BUF ($10,300): Johnson has been piling up shots this year, as he has 150 of them through 52 games. Buffalo has allowed 32.6 shots on net per contest, so Johnson should be able to manage a few more pucks on goal in this one. He's tallied seven goals, so given that the Sabres also have a 3.28 team GAA, perhaps one of them will find the back of the net as well.
