This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
It's rare to see a Sunday slate with many options, but this one includes seven games with six teams on the second half of back-to-back games. The first puck drops at 3:00 ET, so here are some guys to key in on and some to stay away from:
GOALIE
Chad Johnson, STL vs. MIN ($23): For the time being, Johnson will get the majority of the starts for St. Louis since he's stopped 71 of 72 shots over the last two games. Those wins weren't against slouches, as he dropped the Hurricanes and the Sharks – who rank first and third in Corsi For percentage, respectively. The Wild don't touch that caliber. Ride the hot hand, especially when it's cheap.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jaroslav Halak, BOS vs. VGK ($38): Since Tuukka Rask (personal) is out, Halak is expected to be in net Sunday despite stopping 40 of 41 shots Saturday against the Maple Leafs. Goalies don't often make back-to-back starts and although the Golden Knights' offense has been sluggish at times, it ranks second in the league with a 57.95 Corsi For percentage. That makes Halak a risky option, especially as the most-expensive goaltending option on the slate.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, STL vs. MIN ($21): O'Reilly rides a nine-game point streak headed into this contest, with eight goals, eight assists and a plus-8 rating during that span. One of those outings happened against the Wild, where he notched a power-play goal. It's puzzling his cost in daily leagues hasn't caught up, so hop on the train while you can.
CENTER TO AVOID
Joe Pavelski, SJ vs. CGY ($21): It's astounding that a player who averaged 41 assists over the last three seasons has failed to notch a helper through 17 games this year. He does have seven goals, but even his 14.3 shooting percentage is inflated compared to recent campaigns. The flaky production should steer daily fantasy owners away at this time.
WINGS
Brady Tkachuk, OTT at FLA ($17): It will be Tkachuk's third game back from a nine-game absence due to a leg injury. Before he got hurt, Tkachuk was lighting it up with three goals and three assists in his first four NHL contests. It's a favorable matchup, as he's expected back on the power play and the Panthers own the third-worst penalty kill at 70.7 percent.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY at SJ ($22): Take the brother while you're at it. The elder Tkachuk has racked up three goals and three helpers over the last five outings with 19 points in 17 games. The opponent bodes well, as the Sharks have struggled in their own zone lately by yielding 14 goals over the last four contests.
WINGS TO AVOID
Evander Kane, SJ vs. CGY ($25): Kane has not been living up to expectations in the last seven games, scoring just once despite pounding the net with 30 shots. The Flames don't look like the team to help Kane turn it around, as they've averaged just two goals against in the last six outings. Wait for Kane to get in the groove before forking up the cash.
Jason Zucker, MIN at STL ($20): Zucker's coming off a massive three-point outing against the Ducks, but he went pointless in the previous four games. Zucker benefits from power-play minutes, but only two teams have scored on the Blues with the man advantage in the last five contests. Moreover, it's not the time to take chances against a red-hot Chad Johnson.
DEFENSEMEN
Thomas Chabot, OTT at FLA ($20): Chabot's been a sensation in wake of Erik Karlsson being traded to San Jose, racking up 22 points in 17 games after recording 25 in 63 contests last year. He's extra hot right now, posting nine points – with three on the power play – and firing 25 shots on goal in the last five contests. He's a top option against a weak Panthers' penalty kill.
Torey Krug, BOS vs. VGK ($21): Krug picked up exactly where he left off last season, posting five points in five games. It's likely the Golden Knights start young netminder Malcolm Subban in this matchup, making this a more favorable opportunity for Krug to continue his hot streak.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. NJ ($24): Byfuglien's on fire with seven points in the last five games, so it's odd he's mentioned here. However, five of those points came with the man advantage and the Devils rank eighth in the league on the penalty kill at 82.2 percent. He's tough to depend on in this setting.
Erik Karlsson, SJ vs. CGY ($25): We know what Karlsson can do, but he hasn't done it with the Sharks yet with just seven points and a minus-11 rating in seven games while being held without a point over the last five. Until Karlsson irons out the wrinkles in his game, he should be neglected as the third-most expensive defenseman.
