This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are just three games scheduled on Sunday in the NHL, and the Sharks are the only team not playing their second game in consecutive days. The action kicks off at 7 p.m. ET with Winnipeg hosting Pittsburgh.
SLATE PREVIEW
Vegas leads as the largest favorite (-148) Sunday, whereas Winnipeg and San Jose are listed at -121. It will likely be a day full of backup goaltenders with five of six teams playing their second game in back-to-back nights.
The uncertainty in goal could make it easier to differentiate your lineups while also loading up a number of high-priced skaters. It's not out of the question to overload a roster with one team, either. Winnipeg, Vegas and San Jose all have potential to score in bunches and you can start up to six skaters from a single team.
GOALIES
Keep an eye out for who's starting for the Golden Knights. Los Angeles represents an inferior team and is also ripe for a letdown after upsetting Nashville 7-4 on Saturday. Marc-Andre Fleury ($8,000), Garret Sparks ($7,800) and Oscar Dansk ($6,500) would all be options with Vegas receiving the largest chalk Sunday.
There's nothing positive about Martin Jones's ($7,800) start to the season. He's allowed exactly four goals in each of his three starts for an 0-3 record, .854 save percentage and 4.56 GAA. The veteran has still won 30 games in each of the past four seasons, and his salary makes banking on a bounce-back showing an option from the shallow player pool.
Jack Campbell ($7,300) and Cam Talbot ($7,300) are both potential low-priced flyers. While the Golden Knights are obviously a tough matchup, Campbell owns an impressive .927 save percentage and 2.32 GAA through 38 games with Los Angeles. The Sharks have only scored seven goals at five-on-five through five contests, and Talbot should be motivated in his Calgary debut.
It's worth noting the RotoWire NHL Lineup Optimizer is bullish on Laurent Brossoit ($7,700). However, the matchup with the Pens shouldn't be viewed as a cakewalk, even with all their injuries. Pittsburgh has scored 3.6 goals per 60 minutes, and the Winnipeg defense corps still has a lot to prove.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Before being held off the scoresheet Saturday, Patrik Laine ($7,300) recorded seven points - including two goals - through his previous two outings. He's attempting 14.0 shots per 60 minutes, and the Pittsburgh lineup is littered with inexperienced players due to multiple injuries.
This is a manageable salary for Kevin Labanc ($4,300). He scored his first goal of the campaign last time out and remains a fixture on the No. 1 power-play unit. Additionally, he is projected to play favorable minutes at even strength on an intriguing line with Tomas Hertl ($4,700) and Evander Kane ($6,000). Pairing Labanc and Hertl also makes for a cost-effective stack.
Cody Glass ($3,900) remains in bargain territory. The rookie has marked the scoresheet in four of five games this season and has been skating with the No. 1 power-play unit of late. In a similar price range, Jeff Carter ($4,200) has only managed an assist over four games, and his 0.86 PDO is screaming for positive regression.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Over the past three seasons, Sidney Crosby ($7,000), Jake Guentzel ($6,400) and Dominik Simon ($4,400) have clicked for 4.2 goals, 15.7 high-danger scoring chances and a 62.2 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five. Simon's salary helps mitigate the cap hit of his two higher-priced linemates, and Winnipeg has been vulnerable defensively with 13.1 high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes - the second most in the league.
It's been a solid start for long-time linemates William Karlsson ($6,000), Jonathan Marchessault ($5,500) and Reilly Smith ($5,400), as the trio have generated 18.4 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes and drove possession with a 66.7 Corsi For percentage. Unfortunately, the trio owns an 0.84 PDO anchored by a 5.8 shooting percentage. Statistical correction is ahead, and Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith are priced reasonably.
DEFENSEMEN
Josh Morrissey ($4,500) is slotted in as Winnipeg's top defenseman, and he's found the scoresheet in three of four games while logging almost 25 minutes per contest. With that in mind, his salary is significantly lower than it should be.
While a little pricier, Justin Schultz ($5,000) also offers value. He's skating with the No. 1 power-play unit and has registered three assists and 30 shot attempts through five contests.
At the top of the salary ranks, Brent Burns ($6,800) and Kris Letang ($6,400) have both started the season strong and warrant attention. In shallow player pools, spending up for defenseman can be an avenue to differentiating your lineup. Plus, both blueliners are sporting a point-per-game mark or better to start the campaign.
T.J. Brodie ($3,000) and Alec Martinez ($4,000) have both settled back into their secondary roles to start the campaign and are price-fit options to consider. Calgary and Los Angeles are both underdogs in their Sunday matchups, so Brodie and Martinez could also offer contrarian appeal.
Nicolas Hague ($2,600) is skating on the same power-play unit as William Karlsson ($6,000), Jonathan Marchessault ($5,500) and Reilly Smith ($5,400), so the rookie blueliner is worth considering as a cheap addition to a Vegas stack.
