This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The four remaining Western Conference teams take the ice Friday. St. Louis faces elimination at home, whereas Anaheim looks for its first home victory of the second round after winning consecutive games in Edmonton. Here are a handful of players to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS at STL ($7,600): A win away from the Western Conference finals, Nashville's top-four defense have smothered opponents, and Rinne has posted a 7-1 record with an impressive .953 save percentage and 1.33 GAA. The Blues haven't had a sustainable offensive push against the Predators, with their playoff-low 6.53 high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five highlighting their limitations. This salary also isn't prohibitive enough with the Notes likely to pad Rinne's fantasy point total with a number of easy saves again in Game 5.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. EDM ($7,300): The Ducks' captain has been a force in the playoffs, and he took over Game 4 with a four-point night. Getzlaf has been on the ice for an incredible 16.03 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five through the first four games of this series, and he's also collected three power-play goals during the postseason. He's been dangerous in all situations, and he's now strung together a dominant 26-game offensive run with 40 points dating back to March 1.
Mike Fisher, NAS at STL ($4,100): Despite averaging 16:42 of ice time with 1:45 on the power play, Fisher is still chasing his first point of the playoffs. Additionally, his 11 shots and eight blocked shots aren't exactly moving the fantasy needle, either. However, he finished Game 4 between Colin Wilson and James Neal, which is an intriguing trio, and it's also promising that Fisher hasn't been tasked with matching up against Vladimir Tarasenko's line frequently during the series. He did finish the regular season with 2.11 points per 60 minutes, and it's fairly easy to take a flier on Fisher hitting the scoresheet at this salary.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at ANA ($6,900): After missing the scoresheet in the first four games of the postseason, Draisaitl has caught fire for 10 points -- two goals -- and 12 shots while averaging a hefty 20:29 of ice time (3:21 on the power play) over his past six outings. He's also been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (19.73) of all Oilers through the first four games of this series. Playing with Connor McDavid is also a huge boost, but Draisaitl has the benefit of being significantly cheaper.
Corey Perry, ANA vs. EDM ($5,600): After a disappointing regular season, Perry has just a single goal through eight playoff games. He received a promotion to Ryan Getzlaf's flank in Game 4, and the veteran winger is still a staple on the No. 1 power-play unit, so Perry is in a position to succeed Friday. His 8.5 shooting percentage dating back to the regular season is ripe for positive regression, considering Perry's track record (15.3 shooting percentage over the previous six seasons) and willingness to push the envelop close to the opponent's net. He's also been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 (21.81) minutes of all Ducks during the postseason.
James Neal, NAS at STL ($4,800): The veteran has been more involved of late with two goals and 13 shots through the past three games. Neal finished Game 4 playing primarily with Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson, and that trio has been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes of all Preds over the past three games. This salary matches Neal's fantasy floor with his recent uptick in shot volume, but his ceiling would provide a nice profit.
DEFENSE
P.K. Subban, NAS at STL ($5,400): After posting three points in Game 1, Subban has just a single assist, two shots and three blocked shots over the latest three games of Round 2. He's averaged a hefty 25:05 of ice time with 2:08 on the power play during the playoffs, and Nashville generates a lot of offense through the involvement of its defenders. Subban's flare for the dramatics suits an elimination game, and it would be surprising to see him fail to register multiple shots on net for the third consecutive game.
Brandon Montour, ANA vs. EDM ($3,000): A low-priced flier with upside, Montour's skating ability has been on full display during the playoffs, and he's collected three assists, seven shots and five blocked shots while averaging 20:10 of ice time during the first four games of this series. The rookie has also been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (19.33) of all Ducks defensemen through four games against Edmonton, and Montour impressed with 13 goals and 32 points through 36 games in the AHL this year.
