This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are six games in the NHL on Sunday with the Rangers, Capitals, Blues, Stars and Sharks all playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. It'll be important to keep an eye on lineup reports right up until puck drop because the trade deadline is Monday, and there have already been a number of deals that have impacted the fantasy landscape.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. STL ($7,600): This is a reasonable salary to take a flyer on Dubnyk and the Wild at home. St. Louis has only scored five regulation goals through its past three contests and travels to Minnesota for the second half of a back-to-back set. The veteran netminder has also won consecutive games with a .952 save percentage, and the Wild will be looking to avenge their 4-0 loss to the Blues last Sunday.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at ARI ($6,900): Currently mired in a four-game point drought, Scheifele is a prime candidate for a bounce-back outing. Even with the recent funk, the 25-year-old center boasts an impressive 2.99 points per 60 minutes for the campaign. For what it's worth, he also posted a six-game scoring streak consisting of three goals and six assists following his only other four-game pointless stretch this season.
Logan Couture, SJ at DET ($5,900): This should prove to be a soft spot for Couture and the Sharks, as Detroit has lost four consecutive games and allowed 3.16 goals per 60 minutes since the calendar flipped to 2019. Couture also boosts attractive upside with three multi-point showings through his past six outings.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at OTT ($7,300): With a single multi-point showing through his past 13 contests, this is a perfect spot for Gaudreau to have a big game. Not only are the Sens icing an inferior lineup, they've also surrendered a healthy 3.38 goals per 60 minutes since Dec. 1 – and that was primarily with their best roster night in, night out. Additionally, this is a manageable salary considering Gaudreau boasts a seventh-ranked 3.84 points per hour this season.
Jamie Benn, DAL at CHI ($4,800): It's been a down year for Benn, as his 2.24 points per hour are well below the 2.99 mark he posted over the previous three seasons. However, he's still receiving prime offensive minutes, and the Blackhawks have surrendered the most goals at 3.9 and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league dating back to Jan. 1 with 15.51. Benn's mediocre scoring has also been built into his salary.
Ryan Donato, MIN vs. STL ($3,000): The move to Minny has been seamless for the American so far, as Donato has collected three assists and seven shots through his first two outings with the Wild. He's flashed tremendous offensive upside and is currently receiving looks with the No. 2 power-play unit. The Blues are also playing their second game in consecutive nights after Boston on Saturday, so Donato's cheap salary could reward handsomely with St. Louis in a potential letdown spot.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY at OTT ($6,500): As noted, the Sens check out as a soft matchup, and Calgary is the biggest favorite on the slate. Giordano has already recorded a career-high 58 points this season – or 2.39 per hour – while also providing a high fantasy floor through his 164 shots, 118 blocks and average of 24:42 of ice time per contest – including 3:28 with the man advantage.
Erik Gustafsson, CHI vs. DAL ($5,600): Dating back to Jeremy Colliton's debut behind the Chicago bench, Gustafsson has recorded a sixth-ranked 2.27 points per 60 minutes among regular blueliners, including a 2.82 mark in 2019. The Stars are also on the second leg of a back-to-back set and travel to Chicago, so it should prove to be a favorable matchup for Gustafsson. It's also worth noting that the power-play quarterback provides solid peripheral statistics with 25 shots and 13 blocks through 11 February contests.
