This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Sunday's two-game slate begins at 3:00 p.m. EDT and features Game 2s of the Hurricanes-Islanders and Avalanche-Sharks series. Read on to see which players are primed to shine as the Hurricanes and Sharks look to build on their series opening victories.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, CAR at NYI ($7,200): After eliminating an offensively gifted Capitals team in the opening round, Mrazek was in control throughout Game 1 against an Islanders club that focuses much more on the defensive aspects of the game. He has an active shutout streak of over 120 minutes after Friday's 1-0 overtime victory, so another strong performance should be forthcoming in Game 2.
CENTER
Joe Thornton, SJ vs. COL ($4,300): Thornton claims to have been inspired by the injury to longtime friend and teammate Joe Pavelski, and that certainly looked to be the case in Game 1, as Jumbo Joe produced a goal and an assist. Most of your skaters should come from the Avalanche-Sharks matchup, which figures to feature a lot more open ice than Hurricanes-Islanders. The respective Game 1s did nothing to dispel that notion with seven goals in San Jose and just one in New York. Thornton is thus a terrific complement to some of the more expensive options from this game.
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at SJ ($7,300): One of those expensive options is MacKinnon, who is hoping this series will take a similar turn to his last one. The Avalanche lost Game 1 in convincing fashion to the Flames, only to win the next four led by MacKinnon's eight points. He stretched his point streak to five with an assist in Game 1 and is capable of much more.
WINGS
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. CAR ($4,500): Nobody on the Islanders stood out offensively in Game 1, but Bailey at least managed a team-high five shots on goal. Couple that with his strong production in Round 1 -- three goals, one assist in four games -- and there's some value to be found in the 56-point regular season scorer at $4,500.
Kevin Labanc, SJ vs. COL ($4,300): Labanc scored at even strength in Game 1, but his bread is buttered on the power play. He skates on the star-studded top extra-man unit for the Sharks and recorded four power-play points in the third period of Game 7 against Vegas. Colorado's penalty kill ranked seventh-worst during the regular season at 78.7 percent, so Labanc is a nice option in this matchup and comes at a lower price than some more high-profile teammates.
Colin Wilson, COL at SJ ($3,700): Wilson has been a strong source of secondary scoring for the Avalanche, with three goals and an assist in the last two games. He shares the ice with Mikko Rantanen at even strength on the second line and operates on the top power-play unit alongside Colorado's Big 3 up front and defenseman Tyson Barrie. That deployment should keep granting Wilson opportunities to add to his recent success while giving owners exposure to Colorado's top players at a much lower price.
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Burns, SJ vs. COL ($6,800): With a number of quality budget forwards available, it shouldn't be hard to find the funds for this slate's most expensive blueliner. Burns has certainly earned that distinction with 91 points in 90 games between the regular season and playoffs, including a goal and three assists in Game 1. The bearded defenseman isn't just a scorer, either, as evidenced by his three shots, six blocks and plus-4 rating in the series opener.
Brett Pesce, CAR at NYI ($3,800): Pesce is the cheapest of Carolina's top four defensemen, but he's been the most productive member of the team's blue line corps over the past three games with four assists, four shots, six blocks and a plus-5 rating. He's a strong value play for owners looking to spend big elsewhere.
