This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
The NFL playoffs may be going on, but don't forget about the NHL on Sunday. I was really hoping Yahoo would have some contests starting at 5:00 PM ET, so that I could make my recommendations based on five of the six games on the slate while excluding the 12:30 PM ET start. Alas, it was either 12:30 or 7:00 PM ET, which would have meant only three games on the docket. I went with the full slate, but if you can't get a roster in by 12:30 some of these recommendations can still help you later in the day. Here are some players to target, and to avoid, for your daily fantasy hockey lineup.
GOALIE
David Rittich, CGY at MIN ($33): Yes, the Flames are on the road, but Rittich has posted a 2.00 GAA and .937 save percentage over his last seven away games. And the Wild are on the second leg of a back-to-back. They also average only 28.7 shots on net per contest, so it could be a light night for Rittich.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Petr Mrazek, CAR vs. TAM ($29): In four of his last five starts, Mrazek has given up four goals. Tampa may be playing on the back end of consecutive days, but its offense is still a force to be reckoned with thanks to a top-five goals per game mark.
CENTER
Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. DET ($19): Toews finally notched his 10th goal of the season, but he should be getting some more luck going offensively with a 9.9 shooting percentage. No matchup is better for getting a player on track than the Red Wings, who come in with an NHL-worst 3.81 GAA.
CENTER TO AVOID
Ryan Johansen, NAS at ANA ($16): Johansen is scoring goals at a better rate than usual, but for him that means nine in 40 games. He's primarily a playmaker, but has recorded zero points in his last four outings. While John Gibson's overall numbers are a little disappointing, he's maintained a 2.52 GAA and .919 save percentage at home.
WING
Alex Galchenyuk, PIT vs. FLA ($14): With Jake Guentzel out, Galchenyuk has moved up to Pittsburgh's top line. That helps his offensive upside, and he does have four points over his last five games. The Panthers are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back and that will likely mean Chris Driedger in net, who has played in all of seven games during his NHL career.
Adam Henrique, ANA vs. NAS ($13): Speaking of guys moving up in the lineup, Rickard Rakell has been out and that has led to more minutes for Henrique - including more power-play time. Henrique has also registered six points in his last nine games, with 12 goals on the season. The Predators are unexpectedly bottom-eight in GAA, and they are on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back.
WINGS TO AVOID
Zach Parise, MIN vs. CGY ($17): Parise has notched 14 goals this year, including five with the extra man. However, he's playing his second game in as many days. Just as importantly, the Flames own the sixth-ranked penalty kill, so don't expect Parise to add to his power-play total.
Tyler Bertuzzi, DET at CHI ($17): You may not know it - and I wouldn't blame you - but Bertuzzi is leading the Red Wings with 31 points in 42 games. That's not bad! Of course, he doesn't really have any talent around him. Regardless who the Blackhawks put in net, they boast a top-10 penalty kill and I don't expect much from the Red Wings - even Bertuzzi - on the road.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY at MIN ($21): Giordano's 19 points are disappointing, but he has directed 105 pucks on goal and blocked 104 shots in 43 games. And he racked up 74 points last year, so we know what he can do at his best. The Wild are playing for a second consecutive night, and Alex Stalock - who has compiled a 3.02 GAA and .901 save percentage - will likely be in net.
Adam Boqvist, CHI vs. DET ($10): Boqvist, who was the eighth-overall pick in 2018, has started 60.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone - highest on the Blackhawks. The 19-year-old has also been moved to the top power-play unit for Chicago. Detroit has a 4.00 road GAA, so this is a great opportunity for Boqvist to show that the Blackhawks were smart to give him a larger role.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Mattias Ekholm, NAS at ANA ($18): Roman Josi has been red hot and his teammate Ekholm has been decent, but the difference is Ekholm barely plays on the power play. That cuts into his offensive upside, and let's not forget the Predators are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. And as previously noted, John Gibson has a 2.52 GAA and .919 save percentage.
Ryan Suter, MIN vs. CGY ($17): Suter has tallied 11 of his 28 points on the power play. But over his last 17 games, he's only managed three points with the extra man. Since the Flames enter with the sixth-ranked penalty kill, I don't think he will be getting on track Sunday. If that's not enough, David Rittich has excelled this season with a .916 road save percentage.
