This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are four games included in the main slate of daily fantasy hockey contests today on FanDuel, which excludes the 1:00 PM ET start. However, you still have to get your lineup set earlier than usual, as the first of those four games starts at 5:00 PM. So be prepared to submit your lineup before dinner, where you can consider the following players.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL at ANA ($8,000): Varlamov was great last season, posting a .920 save percentage. He's been even better this year by currently sporting a .926 save percentage. The Ducks can't stay healthy, and they can't score either since they've only managed a mere 2.05 goals per game.
CENTER
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. NJD ($6,500): Thanks to a goal Saturday night, Aho has registered a four-game point streak. More impressively, he's racked up 23 points in 19 contests. Both of these teams are on the second day of a back-to-back, but the Devils are on the road and will probably be starting Cory Schneider. The veteran has struggled to a 4.81 GAA and .849 save percentage this year.
Travis Zajac, NJD at CAR ($4,900): Zajac is having a resurgent year, with seven goals and seven assists. His shooting percentage – which is well over 20 percent – will drop, but this is still a favorable matchup. Look for Curtis McElhinney to be in net for the Hurricanes on the second leg of their back-to-back. He comes in with an .884 save percentage in five games, and is technically Carolina's third-string goalie.
WING
Kyle Palmieri, NJD at CAR ($6,400): Last year, Palmieri notched 23 power-play points in only 62 games. He's trying to beat that mark this season, tallying nine points with the extra man in 18 contests. This is the ideal matchup for a power-play maven like Palmieri, as the Hurricanes own the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Alex Tuch, VGK at EDM ($5,100): I find myself recommending Tuch quite a bit recently, but it's only because the 22-year-old has given me so many reasons. He's struck for 11 points and 41 shots on goal through 12 games since returning from injury, while averaging 3:35 per game on the power play. The Oilers are another team playing the second night of a back-to-back, and starter Cam Talbot enters with a 3.09 GAA and .895 save percentage.
Nino Niederreiter, MIN at CHI ($4,600): Niederreiter is a player who should soon pick up his offense. He's started 54.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone – third highest among Minnesota forwards – but only two goals on 38 shots, so his shooting percentage is bound to improve. The Blackhawks have slumped with a 3.40 GAA, which places them in the league's bottom five. Maybe Sunday will be the day where Niederreiter's turnaround begins.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK at EDM ($4,800): Theodore has recorded eight points in 20 games, and he's also put 53 shots on goal. The 23-year-old has also averaged 3:16 per game on the power play, which should lead to plenty of offensive opportunity. That's especially true against the Oilers, who rank 27th on the penalty kill and are playing on their second night of a back-to-back.
Brent Seabrook, CHI vs. MIN ($4,600): Seabrook is really picking up his offensive play to start the season, with 10 points through 20 games to go along with 49 shots on goal. Since the Wild are yet another team finishing up a back-to-back, Alex Stalock will be in net. Though his 2.73 GAA isn't bad, his .905 save percentage leaves a lot to be desired. In addition to his offensive output, Seabrook has blocked 46 shots.
