This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's a busy Sunday in the NHL, and the main contests at DraftKings consist of the seven evening games beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your lineups…
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN at VAN ($7,900): With consecutive losses and a 1-5-0 record, .856 save percentage and 4.11 GAA through his past six outings, Jones is in miserable form. The Sharks have also dropped eight of nine games and haven't won in regulation during that stretch. Still, this is a buy-low spot for Jones, as the Canucks have been just as bad dating back to the trade deadline. Vancouver has generated the fifth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.99) and scored just 1.88 goals per game -- tied for fewest in the league -- since Feb. 28.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at CLM ($6,800): The veteran has hit the scoresheet in nine of his past 14 games for four goals, 15 assists and five-multi point showings, and Backstrom's shot volume -- 2.64 shots per outing -- is also up during that stretch. This is a sneaky matchup with the Blue Jackets allowing the fifth most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.78), and the Caps have added motivation after losing to Arizona last time out.
Eric Staal, MIN vs. COL ($6,500): With the Avalanche sporting the worst team save percentage (.895) in the league and having allowed the most goals per game (3.5) in March, this is a soft matchup for Staal. The pivot enters the contest with a six-game point streak and eight goals, four helpers and 42 shots over his latest 12 outings, so he's primed to take advantage.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. ANA ($6,700): Locked into a seven-game point streak with three goals, eight assists and an average of 3:05 of power-play time during that stretch, Gaudreau is worthwhile target on home ice. The Ducks are on the second leg of back-to-back road games and should turn to Jonathan Bernier on Sunday. Bernier has started 16 of the past 18 games for Anaheim, and the Ducks have surrendered the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.21) during that stretch. Look for Gaudreau and the Flames to capitalize.
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. PHI ($5,400): Currently sporting a four-game winning streak, Philadelphia is ripe for a letdown showing, and Sunday's tilt will be the Flyers third game in four nights. Kreider has turned in a career-best showing with 27 goals and 51 points, including a respectable four tallies and five helpers through his past 14 outings. His 1.32 goals and 2.49 points per 60 minutes are also impressive marks in relation to his salary.
Jannik Hansen, SAN at VAN ($3,900): A game removed from consecutive multi-point outings, Hansen is a solid low-priced flier in a prime matchup. He's been logging top-line minutes alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, and Vancouver has gone 4-9-3 while allowing 3.04 goals per 60 minutes since the trade deadline. The former Canuck also has the revenge factor in his favour for those partial to narratives.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SAN at VAN ($8,100): Amazingly, Burns hasn't registered an even-strength point through his past 12 games and has just a single tally and two helpers with the man advantage. He's posted a league-best 2.17 points per 60 minutes among all defensemen over the past two seasons, so there is positive regression ahead offensively. As noted, this is also a juicy matchup, so look for a bounce-back outing from Burns.
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. ARI ($5,300): While the minute-eating defenseman has missed the scoresheet in six of his past seven outings, Doughty faces an ideal opponent to rebound against Sunday. The Coyotes allow the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.13) and the fifth-most goals per 60 minutes (8.05) while shorthanded. Doughty's recent form is underwhelming, but he's still logging 27:12 per game with 3:13 on the power play and offers a nice cross-category profile with 41 points, 166 shots and 103 blocked shots for the campaign.
