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Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Okposo, Subban good Sunday plays

Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Okposo, Subban good Sunday plays

By Sasha Yodashkin

Sunday's three-game NHL slate is Metro-heavy with four of six teams hailing from the division. The first-place Capitals have many enticing fantasy options in their matchup with the Flyers, but it's important not to forget about the top players from other games. Predicting the goalscorers is the key to victory with such a small slate, and the players listed below have the best chance of lighting the lamp.

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GOALIE

Philipp Grubauer, WAS vs. PHI ($29) - 
Grubauer has been solid when called upon, going 5-4-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .916 save percentage in 13 appearances. His cheap $29 price will allow owners to pick up more expensive skaters in a format in which it's imperative to find goal scorers, and Grubauer should have no problem returning at least No. 2 goalie value against Philadelphia's 24th-ranked offense.

Goalie to Avoid:

Cam Ward, CAR at MON ($33) - 
Ward has won four of his last five starts despite allowing three goals on three occasions over that span, but chances are Carolina's offense won't be able to bail him out again facing a tough Montreal team on the road. His price isn't outlandish, but don't let the veteran's strong recent record fool you into overvaluing him.

CENTER

Brayden Schenn, PHI at WAS ($19) - 
Schenn has played at a point-per-game pace the last 14 games as Philadelphia's second line right wing, and should get a look on the top line Sunday with Wayne Simmonds serving an automatic suspension after getting ejected for sucker-punching Ryan McDonagh on Saturday. The capitals' defense isn't as intimidating with backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer in net, and Schenn is the Flyer best positioned to take advantage of Braden Holtby's day off.

Center to Avoid:

Brock Nelson, NYI vs. EDM ($22) - 
Nelson has played less than 15 minutes in each of the last three games while serving as New York's third-line center. It's tough to sustain a strong scoring rate in such little ice time, so Nelson will have a tough time living up to his $22 value as long as he's stuck in his current role. 

WING

Kyle Okposo, NYI vs. EDM ($20) - 
Okposo has been productive all season in a top-six role for the Islanders with 36 points in 47 games, and there's no reason for that to change against Edmonton's 27th-ranked defense. Considering 23 of his 36 points have come at Barclays Center, Okposo is a bargain at just $20 playing at home, and the Oilers' futility should turn his shaky plus/minus into a non-factor.

Andre Burakovsky, WAS vs. PHI ($19) - 
Hop on the Burakovsky bandwagon before it's too late. The streaking winger is still valued at only $19 despite scoring at least one goal in five consecutive games, but his price is sure to skyrocket soon. Take advantage of this great bargain in the meantime, as players this hot are rarely this affordable.

Wing to Avoid:

Kris Versteeg, CAR at MON ($18) - 
Versteeg has just four points in his last nine games, as he hasn't played a major part in Carolina's recent scoring binge. He has recorded exactly zero fantasy points in three of his last five games, and his recent lack of production suggests Versteeg is probably headed for another dud Sunday.

DEFENSE

Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at WAS ($20) - 
Gostisbehere's seven-game point streak has raised his season total to 24 points through 31 games. Most forwards would be envious of his scoring rate, yet the rookie defenseman continues to be priced at just $20. Gostisbehere should be a mainstay in DFS lineups until either his scoring cools off or his price sees a significant bump, as he's been productive for too long to be considered a fluke.

P.K. Subban, MON vs. CAR ($25) - The Canadiens have dropped off significantly since their hot start, but Subban isn't the man to blame for their struggles. The defenseman has gotten on the scoresheet at an astronomical rate recently, with 16 points in his last 15 games. He's Sunday's most expensive defenseman, but Subban's likelihood of being heavily involved in Montreal's scoring against Carolina's 19th-ranked defense makes him well worth it.

Defensemen to Avoid:

Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. PHI ($21) - 
Niskanen's two goals and 21 points in 49 games aren't worthy of a $21 investment. He's a solid defenseman on a good team, but Niskanen's low scoring upside makes him a poor choice in DFS.

Travis Hamonic, NYI vs. EDM ($19) - 
The argument against Hamonic is similar to the one against Matt Niskanen: his 12 points in 45 games make it hard to justify investing $19 in the blueliner regardless of the rest of his game. Niskanen's minus-2 rating over the last four games doesn't help his case, either. 

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