This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are just four games on Sunday's slate. It's broken down in a matinee showdown between the Bruins and Penguins, and then three more matchups in the evening slate. The goaltending is fairly strong, so finding value in forwards and defensemen will be a dime a dozen. Read on the decipher the short slate.
GOALIES
The matinee showdown between the Bruins and Penguins is a rematch of Thursday night. Jaroslav Halak ($15,300) has been excellent on the road with a .925 save percentage, but Tristan Jarry ($15,900) has been even stronger at home with a .938 mark. You can't go wrong with either play, as neither the B's or Pens have been lighting the scoreboard much in 2020.
It looks like James Reimer ($8,100) will get a spot start against the Islanders, and he's played well in January, going 2-0-1 record with a .939 save percentage. The Islanders aren't an offensive juggernaut, as they've averaged just 2.50 goals per road game this year. He'll square off against Thomas Greiss ($7,100) since New York is on the second half of back-to-back games. He's played sparingly but won both of his January starts with a .931 save percentage, and he comes at a solid value since the Hurricanes haven't scored more than two goals in four consecutive outings.
Robin Lehner ($8,100) is a chalky play, winning five of his last six with a .920 save percentage. The Jets enter the matchup with just 1.67 GF/60 in January — 30th in the league.
It wouldn't be surprising if Columbus coach Jon Tortorella affords Elvis Merzlikins ($7,500) his second start in as many nights. He's the hottest goaltender in the league, as he's notched three shutouts in the last four games and won eight of the last 10 starts. He's been quite matchup proof, too, with wins against Boston twice, Vegas and Florida.
Igor Shesterkin ($7,600) will be in the opposing crease, and he's won each of his NHL starts while allowing three goals in both games. The 24-year-old is clearly ready for the NHL ranks, and the Blue Jackets rank 18th in January with 2.21 GF/60 at even strength, per Natural Stat Trick.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Charlie Coyle ($8,400) is getting bumped to the second like with David Krejci ruled out. Coyle's numbers don't pop off the page with 25 points through 49 games, and he has a 50.7 Corsi For percentage, making him a decent value for the showdown.
Dominik Kubalik ($4,700) has recorded a point in seven of the last eight games, and he has four multi-point affairs in that stretch. The 24-year-old is having a dominant rookie campaign, and he'll look to keep it up against Connor Hellebuyck, who has a 3.03 GAA in January.
Jordan Eberle ($4,600) starts a whopping 57.6 percent of shifts in the offensive zone, and he's been capitalizing with six points in as many games. With points at a premium, Eberle comes at a solid value with the opportunities ahead.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Pittsburgh Penguins (TOTAL: $35,400)
C - Evgeni Malkin ($14,100)
W - Dominik Kahun ($9,000)
W - Bryan Rust ($12,300)
Both goaltenders in this showdown are strong, but this unit could have the highest ceiling. Malkin and Rust have combined for an explosive seven multi-point games over the last five, and Kahun has chipped in to the tune of 0.57 points per game.
Chicago Blackhawks (TOTAL: $16,400)
C - Ryan Carpenter ($3,300)
W - Patrick Kane ($8,200)
W - Brandon Saad ($4,900)
Kane's the heavyweight on this line, and he's on a nine-game point streak with four goals and 10 helpers in that span. This group reunited Saturday with Saad's return from injury, and each member notched a point in the game. With the Jets allowing 3.5 GA/60 in January, the floodgates could be open for this group.
Columbus Blue Jackets (TOTAL: $12,000)
C - Alexander Wennberg ($3,400)
W - Cam Atkinson ($5,500)
W - Nathan Gerbe ($3,100)
Atkinson didn't miss a beat after nearly a month on IR, as he stacked up five points in two games. His linemates have pulled their weight with a combined four points in that stretch. Shesterkin has played well in both NHL outings, but he still allowed three goals in each contest, leaving plenty of value for this unit.
DEFENSEMEN
Between the two teams in the matinee, the Bruins' penalty kill is far worse at 9.54 GA/60 in January, 22nd in the league. Kris Letang ($12,000) is the chalk with 30 points and 10 on the man advantage through 40 games, but John Marino ($9,300) is cheap with plenty of upside, as he's totaled five points in the last seven games.
Jaccob Slavin ($4,300) is going to have to pick up the slack now that Dougie Hamilton is out with a broken leg, and he'll have a decent chance against the Islanders, who have allowed 2.87 GA/60 in the last month. He's generated 22 points through 48 games, and he adds a solid floor at plus-27 with 102 shots on net.
The Jets' putrid penalty kill — they rank 20th at 78.1 percent — should open some doors for the Blackhawks. Erik Gustafsson looks like the top choice since he averages 2:53 on the power play per game, and he's totaled 20 points and seven on the man advantage this season.