This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are three afternoon games in the NHL on Sunday, and DraftKings has plenty of contests to help pass the time before Super Bowl LIII. The bout between Edmonton and Montreal will be the second game in consecutive nights for both clubs, with the other two contests featuring the Bruins and Capitals, and Carolina hosting Calgary.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. EDM ($8,200): Not only has Price won four games in a row and allowed just four goals during the stretch, he also sports an impressive 13-6 record with a .933 save percentage and 2.04 GAA though his past 20 games dating back to Dec. 1. Additionally, it's a soft matchup with Edmonton scoring just 1.89 goals and generating only 8.96 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five in away games this season.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY at CAR ($7,100): The pivot is in the midst of a career year with 3.58 points per 60 minutes and has combined with linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm to generate an impressive 16.25 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. Carolina plays high-event hockey and owns the sixth worst team save percentage since Jan. 1 at .883, so there will be opportunities for the Flames to capitalize.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, MON vs. EDM ($3,400): While the rookie's numbers don't jump off the page, Kotkaniemi has notched a respectable three goals and three assists through 12 games in 2019. He also skated with the No. 1 power-play unit during Saturday's game, so there's potential for the Finn to reward on his low salary with Edmonton allowing 8.87 goals per 60 minutes while shorthanded.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at CAR ($7,500): As noted, Gaudreau has shown excellent chemistry with his linemates and has put together an impressive offensive stretch. He's up to 55 points – including 23 goals – through his past 33 contests and owns a second-ranked 4.19 points per 60 minutes among all NHL regulars. The price probably isn't as prohibitive as it should be, either.
David Pastrnak, BOS at WAS ($7,400): In a shallow player pool, it can be advantageous to target high-volume shooters – and it also helps that Pastrnak enters with consecutive multi-point showings. He finished off January with seven tallies, six helpers and 44 shots through 12 games, and this matchup is cushy. Washington has only won one of their past eight games and allowed 39 goals during the skid.
Artturi Lehkonen, MON vs. EDM ($3,800): Another cheap Hab to consider stacking with linemate and countryman Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Lehkonen has attempted 13.62 shots per 60 minutes this season and recorded three assists through his past six outings. Additionally, he's gone 14 contests and 30 shots without finding the back of the net, so statistical correction is ahead.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS at WAS ($5,400): Considering he paces NHL defensemen in points per 60 minutes at 2.31 dating back to last season, this is a soft price for Krug. He quarterbacks the No. 1 power-play unit and also enters in solid form with 11 points and 25 shots through his past 12 outings. It also helps that he starts 66.0 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone.
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. CGY ($4,300): A high-floor, high-ceiling option, Faulk mitigates his streaky scoring by registering plenty of shots and a willingness to block them. He skates on the No. 1 power-play unit and has recorded two goals, five assists, 37 shots and 19 blocks through his past 14 contests. This also proves to be a manageable salary.
