This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are 10 NHL games Sunday, but only the six evening matchups beginning at 7 p.m. ET are included in the featured contests at DraftKings. Eight of the 12 teams are playing for the second consecutive night with only the Sabres, Bruins, Ducks and Flames not hitting the ice Saturday. Additionally, it's worth noting there have been a lot of high-scoring games through the first two slates following the holiday break, so it wouldn't be shocking if there were a lot of goals again Sunday. The Bruins, Lightning and Flames represent the three largest favorites on the docket.
GOALIES
The Lightning pulled out a 5-4 comeback win over Montreal on Saturday and should have their way with the Red Wings on Sunday. Detroit has lost five consecutive games with a minus-11 goal differential, so Curtis McElhinney ($8,200) is positioned for a bounce-back showing after losing each of his last three contests.
Boston shut out Buffalo on Friday, and Tuukka Rask ($8,200) is coming off an impressive 39-save win over the Capitals before the break. The veteran netminder is 14-4-5 with a .923 save percentage for the campaign, and the Sabres have lost five of their last six outings with just 10 goals for.
With Vancouver playing its second game in consecutive nights and travelling to Calgary to face the Flames, David Rittich ($7,600) lands in a favorable matchup to continue his recent surge. The 27-year-old netminder boasts an 8-1-2 record with a .930 save percentage and 2.25 GAA through his past 12 appearances.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
The Ducks have surrendered at least three goals in each of their past six contests, and Sean Couturier ($6,000) has recorded a respectable three tallies and 11 helpers through his past 15 games. He's locked into a go-to offensive role and could fly under the radar with significant star power in the player pool.
The Canadiens haven't played a home game since Dec. 14. And with the extra travel surrounding the holidays and playing Saturday in Tampa Bay, this could be a soft schedule spot for Florida. Vincent Trocheck ($4,800) checks out as a potential value with his recent offensive surge, as he's scored and recorded five assists through his past six outings.
The Sabres have switched up their line combinations, as Kyle Okposo ($2,500) is projected to skate on the No. 1 line with Jack Eichel ($7,600) and Victor Olofsson ($6,800). At minimum price, the veteran winger offers an upside source of cap relief considering Eichel and Olofsson have combined for 4.93 goals per hour.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Patrice Bergeron ($7,800), David Pastrnak ($8,000) and Brad Marchand ($7,600) have combined for 10 tallies and 17 helpers through the past six contests to improve to an elite 7.11 goals per hour for the campaign. The trio should also have opportunities against Buffalo with the Sabres allowing 25 goals through their past seven contests.
The Lightning have scored 11 times through their past two games and their top two lines have alternated big games. With the noted favorable matchup on tap against Detroit, there's potential for Tampa Bay to fill the net again Sunday. Brayden Point ($7,200), Nikita Kucherov ($7,800) and Ondrej Palat ($5,100) are the more expensive trio compared to Anthony Cirelli ($5,000), Steven Stamkos ($7,400) and Alex Killorn ($5,800). And the Red Wings have surrendered a league-high 4.08 goals per hour on the road this season.
With Max Domi ($4,900) arguably playing his best hockey of the season and the Panthers allowing the fifth most goals per game in the league, this salary seems low. The 24-year-old forward has clicked for four goals and five assists through his past seven outings and is skating on an intriguing line with Artturi Lehkonen ($3,900) and Nick Suzuki ($4,200), who have also combined to collect two goals and eight assists over the past five contests.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman's ($6,800) steep price could keep his ownership in check, and he's been a force for most of the season. Of late, he's produced seven tallies, eight helpers and 48 shots across the past 14 games - including consecutive showings with at least three points. The Red Wings also check out as a plus-matchup with a league-low 72.2 penalty-kill percentage.
Montreal owns a 27th-ranked 75.4 penalty-kill percentage, so look for Keith Yandle ($4,800) to snap a two-game point streak Sunday. The veteran has 30 points through 37 games for the campaign while quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and beginning 59.8 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone.
Take a long look at Matt Grzelcyk ($3,800) at this salary. He should see significant minutes - including on the power play - with Torey Krug ($5,400) and Charlie McAvoy ($4,500) both out of action and he's coming off a solid showing with five shots and three blocks to record the bonus points in each category. Obviously, his low salary also helps in a Boston stack.
