This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The playoff race is heating up and every point matters. In this six-game Sunday slate, five teams are still looking to lock up a spot in the postseason while three others have already staked their claim. Putting the madness aside, here are some players to help set your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Carter Hart, PHI vs. NYR ($28): Hart suffered a slump, but the 20-year-old is back on track with a .940 save percentage over the last five starts. The Rangers are way out of playoff contention and it shows with their lack of spirit, as the squad has lost seven of the last nine contests and averaged just 2.11 goals per game during that span. Hart should get this start on the second half of back-to-back games, and he comes at a modest price.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Jaroslav Halak, BOS at DET ($35): Halak has enjoyed a respectable March with a .915 save percentage through six appearances. The Red Wings are on a surge of late with wins in six of their last seven games while averaging 3.14 goals per game in that span, so Halak's risk level at this price tag isn't acceptable for me.
CENTER
Derek Ryan, CGY at SJ ($18): Ryan flies under the radar in the Flames' bottom six, but he's getting more ice time lately and it's paying dividends with 10 points and a plus-12 rating over the last nine games. With the team rolling four lines, Ryan will have another solid opportunity since the Sharks sport a 4.25 team GAA over the last eight contests.
CENTER TO AVOID
Jack Eichel, BUF vs. CLM ($30): Eichel is a stud but it's been tough sledding lately, as the 22-year-old hasn't topped 8.7 fantasy points in the last nine games. He comes at a steep price for that dismal production, especially considering the Blue Jackets possess a 1.74 team GAA in March and the third-ranked penalty kill at 84.7 percent.
WINGS
Artemi Panarin, CLM at BUF ($23): Panarin bagged four apples in Saturday's win over the Predators, as part of a four-game point streak. Only the Maple Leafs have a worse team GAA than the Sabres (3.28) in March, so Panarin comes at a surprising bargain and should be wielded as such.
Anthony Mantha, DET vs. BOS ($21): Mantha is rocking on a line with Dylan Larkin ($22), racking up seven points, 13 shots on net and a plus-6 rating over the last four games. The Bruins have shown vulnerability in the defensive zone lately, keeping the floodgates open for Mantha.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jeff Skinner, BUF vs. CLM ($22): The Sabres are suffering and Skinner is not immune with just two points in the last 12 contests. As alluded to before, the Blue Jackets have shut down opposing teams lately, so Skinner's woes seem destined to carry on.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. NYR ($21): Voracek has faced heavy regression since he accrued 85 points last season, and he's now suffering a slump near the end of this campaign with two points and a minus-5 rating over the last seven contests. Alexandar Georgiev has held his own lately, so there's still substantial risk starting Voracek.
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Giordano, CGY at SJ ($27): I love the thought of stacking Calgary skaters against a struggling San Jose squad, so I'm extending it to the blue line. Giordano is having a Norris Trophy-worthy season, compiling 11 points and 36 shots on net over the last 10 games. He requires a sizable chunk of change, but Giordano is hot enough to justify it.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. CGY ($17): Vlasic has registered 25 points this season, and 11 of those have come in March. He's clearly been itching for this production for a while since he starts a heavy majority of his shifts in the defensive zone but still manages a 49.5 Corsi For percentage. Harvest on his value while you can.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at PIT ($22): Hamilton is finishing the season strong but don't expect Sunday to be a part of the upswing. Matt Murray is looking like his playoff self again and Pittsburgh has impressed with a 1.59 team GAA in March, so it's not a favorable outlook for the defender.
Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR at PHI ($18): Shattenkirk has three assists and a minus-8 rating over the last eight games, and those numbers basically cancel each other out in the fantasy realm. The going won't get any easier against the Flyers, who boast a stingy defense and have allowed just four power-play goals over the last 14 outings.
