This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Now that it's Sunday, maybe you've had your fill of college basketball and are interested in a little NHL action? Since a few of Sunday's games are in the afternoon, the slate for today's competitions only features four games. That limits your options a bit, there are still values to be had.
GOALIE
Calgary Flames, CGY vs. LOS ($16,200): The Kings have been a strong team defensively, but their offense has left something to be desired, scoring only 2.44 goals per game, sixth-fewest in the NHL. The Flames, meanwhile, have only allowed 28.7 shots on net per game, and they are also 9-1-0 in their last 10 games. The strong goaltending of Brian Elliott has been a big part of that hot streak, as he has a 1.68 GAA and .943 save percentage over his last 13 games.
CENTER
Brayden Schenn, PHI vs. CAR ($11,400): The Hurricanes will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and while they started Eddie Lack on Saturday, the Flyers won't be concerned about seeing Cam Ward, who has a 3.49 GAA and .882 save percentage over his last 18 games. Schenn has started 37.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, but it's really his power-play performance that is his calling card, averaging 3:53 per game with the extra man, tallying 15 goals and 11 assists on the power play. Meanwhile, Carolina's penalty kill ranks 27th this month.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON vs. OTT ($11,400): Galchenyuk has dealt with injuries this season, but when he's played he's been impressive, averaging 11.42 fantasy points per game, including 10 points in his last 10. Perhaps the fact he's started a team-high 45.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone has played into that. Montreal and Ottawa squared off Saturday, with Craig Anderson getting the start, which likely means Mike Condon (.914 save percentage) Sunday; that's a point in Galchenyuk's favor.
WING
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. COL ($13,100): Panarin is on the pricier side, but he still has the potential to be a strong value. He's started 46.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone and he's averaged 12.37 fantasy points per game. He now gets to go up against an Avalanche team that has allowed 3.22 goals per game and just gave up five to the punchless Red Wings. Colorado also has the 24th-ranked penalty kill, and Panarin has 15 power-play points this season.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. CAR ($12,100): It's not a great day for wingers, so you may not be able to pinch pennies. The Hurricanes have allowed 2.82 goals per game, and as previously noted, Cam Ward has struggled mightily recently and Carolina will be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. While Voracek has had issues with getting the puck in the net once again (7.6 shooting percentage), he's tallied 223 shots on goal in 70 games. He's also still managed to be a power-play force, as he's notched 20 points with the extra man.
Sebastian Aho, CAR at PHI ($10,600): Don't overlook Aho, who has 20 goals on 181 shots on goal in 69 games, including eight points and 41 shots on goals in his last 13. The Flyers have allowed 2.94 goals per game, and their netminders have a collective save percentage of .897. Additionally, Aho has 11 power-play points.
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. LOS ($10,600): Giordano has 11 points in his last 14 games, but even so it may be difficult to get much going offensively against the Kings. However, Giordano doesn't need to in order to have fantasy value. Los Angeles has averaged 61.0 shot attempts per 60 minutes, second-most in the NHL, while Giordano has blocked 163 shots in 70 games.
Dion Phaneuf, OTT at MON ($7,700): Since Carey Price started Saturday, Al Montoya (.910 save percentage) will likely be in net Sunday. That's a point in Phaneuf's favor, and he's already averaging 11.45 fantasy points per game this season. He's tallied 16 power-play points, and Montreal only has the 18th-ranked penalty kill. Additionally, Montreal has attempted 59.7 shots per 60 minutes, sixth-most in the NHL, while Phaneuf has blocked 143 shots in 70 games.
