This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
If you play the evening slate on FanDuel on Sunday, you will only have two games' worth of players to choose from. So why not play the full slate starting at 1:00 PM ET? That way, you can pick from 14 teams. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, ARI vs. NYR ($7,400): Kuemper has been alright this season, managing a 2.83 GAA and .911 save percentage. However, over his last five starts, those numbers have improved to a 2.74 GAA and .915 save percentage. This should be an easy matchup for Kuemper, as the Rangers have only averaged 2.73 goals and 28.2 shots on net per game while going 6-11-2 on the road.
CENTER
Sebastian Aho, CAR at OTT ($6,400): I could probably just tell you the Senators rank last in GAA and shots allowed per game and will be on the second night of a back-to-back. Or that Marcus Hogberg will probably be in net for Ottawa. It should suffice to say Aho is having a great season. The Finn has notched 43 points in 40 games, including two in each of his last two contests.
Paul Stastny, VGK vs. NJD ($5,900): Stastny has been excellent since returning from missing the bulk of his first season with the Golden Knights. In 11 games, he's registered 10 points – although none have come on the power play. MacKenzie Blackwood got banged up in New Jersey's last game, which means Keith Kinkaid could be in line for the start Sunday. Stastny would likely prefer that, as Kinkaid sports a 3.00 GAA and .900 save percentage.
WING
Clayton Keller, ARI vs. NYR ($5,600): There aren't a lot of Coyotes worth recommending, but Keller has been having a reasonably good season – even if it is shaping up to be a step down from his rookie campaign. He's got 29 points in 41 games, including 13 with the extra man. Just as importantly, he's facing a great matchup. The Rangers own a 4.16 road GAA, and have given up a whopping 36.3 shots on net during each contest.
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. CHI ($5,600): Hornqvist isn't shooting quite as much as he did in past seasons, but he's still put 93 shots on goal through 32 games and that's led to potting 14 goals. As for the Blackhawks, they enter with a 3.60 GAA and the league's worst penalty kill. Hornqvist's power-play time is down, but he's still averaged 2:49 per game with the extra man.
Ondrej Kase, ANA vs. EDM ($4,600): Thanks to a hot December, Kase has averaged 13.7 fantasy points per game. That's a healthy average for a player this cheap, especially in a matchup like this. The Oilers have a 3.30 road GAA, and they will be on the second night of a back-to-back. That also likely means Cam Talbot with his 3.30 GAA and .892 save percentage will start in net.
DEFENSE
Dougie Hamilton, Car at OTT ($4,700): Hamilton has been absolutely racking up shots this season, with 133 of them in 40 games. He's had trouble converting them into goals, but he's lit the lamp in each of his last two outings. Now he gets to face a Senators team that has given up 37.6 shots on net per contest and is on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Marcus Pettersson, PIT vs. CHI ($3,500): Pettersson has only started 49.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone since joining the Penguins from Anaheim, but that is actually tops among Pittsburgh defensemen. He's also getting some time on the power play – and may get more – as he's recorded three points over his last five games. This is a favorable matchup, especially for a player who sees time with the extra man. After all, the Blackhawks boast the league's worst penalty kill. At this price, Pettersson doesn't have to do much to be a steal.
