This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There is really no way around an early start for daily fantasy purposes Sunday. After all, only two games are in the evening. The 12:30 p.m. EST start has been removed from the slate for daily fantasy, but you still have to have your lineup in before the 3 p.m. game starts. Here are my recommendations based on the four games included.
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. DET ($8,000): Markstrom has been playing some stellar hockey recently. In his last 14 games he has a 2.05 GAA and .928 save percentage. The Red Wings might not be the ones to challenge him, as they rank in the bottom 10 in goals per game.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. ANA ($6,700): Thanks to a hot run of play (17 points in his last 14 games), Barzal has 44 points in 47 contests. He's also notched 108 shots on net, and he should tally some more in this matchup. The Ducks have allowed 34.4 shots on goal per game, and they are also on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. John Gibson could get another start, but if he doesn't, Chad Johnson (3.37 GAA, .888 save percentage) will be in net.
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. DET ($6,200): The Canucks don't have much depth, but they do have the one-two punch of Horvat and Brock Boeser on their top line. The 23-year-old pivot has 39 points in 49 games, including 17 goals. Meanwhile, the Red Wings have a 3.74 GAA on the road.
WING
Justin Williams, CAR at EDM ($5,400): Williams has been quite active recently, as he has six goals on 26 shots in his last nine outings. He's also seen an increase in power-play time, as he's averaged 2:44 with the extra man. The Oilers, who will be on the second day of a back-to-back by the way, rank 24th on the penalty kill.
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. ANA ($5,300): Bailey has started 58.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Islanders. That's helped him tally 36 points, including five in his last six games. Although the Ducks have been pretty good on the road, that has relied almost entirely on John Gibson. If he plays on back-to-back days, he may not be himself, and Chad Johnson is no Gibson.
Sven Baertschi, VAN vs. DET ($4,900): Since returning from injury, Baertschi has four goals, two assists and 23 shots on net in nine games. He's also averaged 3:37 per game with the extra man in that time. As previously noted, the Wings have a 3.74 GAA on the road. However, they also have the 25th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR at EDM ($5,400): Faulk has had some bad luck, he has a 2.2 shooting percentage and only five power-play points after having 19 last season, but he's staying active. He has five points in his last nine games and has put 30 shots on net in that time. Cam Talbot likely will be in net for the Oilers, since Mikko Koskinen started Saturday, and Talbot has a 3.17 GAA and .896 save percentage.
Jaccob Slavin, CAR at EDM ($5,000): Let's double down on Carolina defensemen. After all, the Oilers are on the second day of a back-to-back, and, as noted, the struggling Cam Talbot likely will be in goal. Plus, Slavin has been hot recently. In his last 10 games he has six points.
