This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There's just four games on Sunday, but there's a good one between the Bruins and Penguins (3 p.m. EDT). Pittsburgh's won three straight and along with the Capitals seem to have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the East. The Bruins improved since the trade deadline, but their goaltending has been shaky of late.
The Devils and Flyers (6 p.m.) and Sabres and Rangers (6 p.m.) will have a slightly earlier-than-usual puck drop, while the Lightning will host the Blue Jackets in their final meeting this season.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CBJ ($8,600): The danger with this matchup is the Jackets tend to play the Lightning pretty tightly and Vasilevskiy's numbers against them – .903 Sv%, 3.03 GAA – are by far the worst against any opponent this season. However, Columbus is mired in an eight-game slump and most weren't even close as they've only scored six goals over their past five losing by an average margin of three.
Tristan Jarry, PIT vs. BOS ($8,200): Boston's goalies are slightly more expensive, so I like the value play Jarry provides. It should be an even matchup and both teams are rolling thanks to their relatively easy recent schedules with the Bruins taking two of their three against the Sabres and the Pens beating the Devils five times.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. BUF ($8,200): This will likely be the second-most popular pick after Vasilevskiy because the Bruins-Pens matchup is a tossup. The Sabres can also surprise since their offense has been clicking lately, but the Rangers have a clear advantage and lead the season series 4-1-1 mostly thanks to Shesterkin with a 3-0-1 and .921/1.90 line.
Brian Elliott, PHI vs. NJ ($7,300): All things considered, I'd probably avoid this matchup even though the Flyers hold a 2-1 edge in the season series. Elliott's win against the Devils earlier in the season was totally unconvincing where he allowed three goals on 26 shots.
VALUE PLAYS
Alexis Lafreniere, NYR vs. BUF ($3,800): I wish Lafreniere's ice time didn't fluctuate so much, but he recently logged one of his best games of the season with two points in 17 minutes against the Flyers. Hopefully, he can carry some momentum into this game. And with enough ice time, Lafreniere should be able to generate scoring chances against a very inexperienced and lightweight Sabres' defense.
Arttu Ruotsalainen, BUF at NYR ($3,200): Another goal against the Bruins gives Ruotsalainen three in four games with linemates Dylan Cozens and Anders Bjork also surprisingly effective. Just in case the Rangers' goaltending implodes – and it has at various points this year – Ruotsalainen seems to have the hot hand and also centers the second PP unit.
Alex Barre-Boulet, TB vs. CBJ ($3,100): Barre-Boulet was a standout in the AHL and will skate on the top line again with Brayden Point. The points have been hard to come by, but hopefully a second crack at a reeling Jackets will produce better results. Barre-Boulet skated 19 minutes last time out and has registered at least one shot in four straight.
LINE STACKS
Penguins vs. Bruins
Sidney Crosby (C - $8,400), Bryan Rust (W - $6,400), Jake Guentzel (W - $7,700)
There are some favorable line stack opportunities in this matchup, including the Pens' second line with Jeff Carter and Jared McCann and the Bruins' top two lines assuming Patrice Bergeron plays. If Bergeron isn't on the ice, look for Crosby to dominate without having to face one of the league's best defensive centers.
Devils at Flyers
Jack Hughes (C - $5,000), Yegor Sharangovich (W - $4,500), Andreas Johnsson (W - $3,000)
Not having Janne Kuokkanen on this line hurts a little bit, but the Hughes-Sharangovich pairing has generally been pretty solid this season and both registered a point apiece in their last outing against the Pens. It's a very inexpensive line stack against a team that has trouble keeping pucks out of the net.
DEFENSEMEN
Adam Fox, NYR vs. BUF ($6,100): Fox has garnered three assists in his past four games and continues to be a very consistent point producer. He should be a popular pick because he can offer as much upside as Victor Hedman or Kris Letang on most nights, and his salary is also the lowest among the elite tier.
Ivan Provorov, PHI vs. NJ ($4,900): Past success against certain teams don't always guarantee future success, especially when hockey can be so random, but note that in three games this season Provorov has scored four points against the Devils with a plus-5 rating while averaging close to 27 minutes per game. His enormous role makes him a relatively safe play most nights, and especially when there's a small slate and few quality defensemen to choose from.
Matt Grzelcyk, BOS at PIT ($4,000): It's a good value play for someone who handles duties on the top power play unit, though note the Pens' PK has improved over the past two weeks, operating at 85 percent since April 10. The Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy pairing has been one of the best in the league with a 62.62 CF% at 5v5, which ranks second only to Colorado's Samuel Girard and Devon Toews among pairs who have played at least 200 5v5 TOI together.
