This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Sunday's daily fantasy contests include both Sunday and Monday's games. Additionally, by the end of Monday, we may have a Stanley Cup matchup. This might be the last time you can play daily fantasy this season with more than two teams.
Sunday's game starts at 3:00 p.m. ET. Get your lineup in early. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TAM at WAS ($8,200): After a couple of bad starts, Vasilevskiy has pulled things together. He's allowed only two goals in each of his last three games, all wins. Plus, even with those two off-games, he had a .918 save percentage heading into Saturday's contest. With the way the four goalies left have been playing, it's a choice between Vasilevskiy and Marc-Andre Fleury, and the Russian is $300 cheaper.
CENTER
William Karlsson, VGK at WPG ($7,300): Karlsson surprised with 43 goals and 35 assists this season, but he's been able to keep that going in the playoffs. He has 13 points in 14 games, including six goals. Meanwhile, in his last 10 starts, the Jets' Connor Hellebuyck has a 2.72 GAA and .910 save percentage.
Paul Stastny, WPG vs. VGK ($5,700): Though Stastny doesn't have a point in his last three games, he had 13 in his previous nine outings. He's also gotten a good deal of power-play time, as he's averaged 2:55 per contest with the extra man. Though Marc-Andre Fleury has been great in the playoffs, the Golden Knights had a 3.00 GAA on the road this year. With only four teams in action, any little bit could help.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG vs. VGK ($7,100): Only a couple players had more goals than Karlsson this year, and one of them was Laine, who managed 44. He has five goals in the playoffs, but on 55 shots in 16 games. His 9.1 shooting percentage is less than half of his regular-season shooting percentage of 18.3. There is no guarantee his puck luck will change for one game, but since entering the league, Laine has been as reliable a goal scorer as anyone. At the least, he should put a few pucks on net.
Reilly Smith, VGK at WPG ($6,000): Smith only has two goals in the playoffs, but one of them did come in his last outing. He's been productive, though, with 14 assists in 14 postseason contests (five on the power play). The 27-year-old plays on Vegas' top line with Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault, which really helps his fantasy potential. Plus, as previously noted, Hellebuyck has a .910 save percentage in his last 10 games.
Ondrej Palat, TAM at WAS ($5,000): The Lightning moved Palat onto Tampa's top line for Game 5, which meant he got to skate alongside Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. That certainly bodes well for his fantasy potential. The 27-year-old also has a three-game point streak and has four points in this series.
DEFENSE
John Carlson, WAS vs. TAM ($5,800): Carlson has done his best to keep Washington's offense humming in the playoffs, as he has 15 points in 17 games. He's also put 63 shots on net, a massive number for a defenseman. The 28-year-old had 32 power-play points this year, and he's added 10 in the postseason. Tampa managed to avoid taking a penalty in Game 5, but unless it can do it again, Carlson should have a chance to succeed with the extra man.
Nate Schmidt, VGK vs. WPG ($4,000): Schmidt is on Vegas' top pair, which has meant plenty of minutes for him. He's averaged 24:56 per game in ice time this postseason, including 2:40 with the extra man. Those minutes have paid off a bit, as he has six points in the playoffs. During the regular season, he managed 36 in 76 games. He also blocked 121 shots, so he can add fantasy value that way.
