This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The conference finals are upon us. FanDuel has two-day contests consisting of Game 1 between Ottawa at Pittsburgh on Saturday and Game 2 between Nashville and Anaheim on Sunday. At this point of the playoffs, it's important to monitor personnel changes and line combinations until puck drop, especially because of the late-swap option. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. NAS ($8,500): The Ducks showed admirable resilience in Round 2 against Edmonton, and after being in a bad schedule spot for Game 1, counting on a bounce-back showing from Anaheim and Gibson on Sunday is intriguing. After all, Nashville had four days to rest and prepare leading into Friday, whereas the Ducks had a single day. Gibson's 43-save showing in Game 1 was also impressive. Additionally, this series projects to be lower scoring than the Ottawa-Pittsburgh battle.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. OTT ($8,500): Sidney Crosby often garners more attention from opposing teams and carries a higher ownership percentage in daily contests, so that makes Malkin a strong option to pivot to. The Russian is now four games removed from his last multi-point showing, so expect the postseason scoring leader to have a strong Game 1 against Ottawa. His elite offensive track record during the playoffs also affirms the likelihood of a bounce-back outing from Malkin.
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NAS ($5,400): At this salary, Kesler is worth a look as a mid-priced option. He's posted a goal, six points and 20 shots while averaging 21:42 of ice time per game during Round 2 against Edmonton, and then he was on the ice for 13 scoring chances against Nashville in Game 1. He also logged 4:32 of power-play time Friday and remains a staple on the No. 1 power-play unit.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. OTT ($7,100): Over the past five games, Kessel has just a single goal and assist, so he's tailed off after opening the postseason with 11 points through seven games. However, Kessel also recorded four shots in Game 7 against Washington, and when goal scorers begin to show an uptick in shot volume the results usually follow on the scoresheet. Ottawa should also prove to be an easier matchup than the Capitals were.
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. NAS ($6,400): There were stretches of dominance from Silfverberg during Game 1, and it appears he's becoming more and more comfortable with the puck on his stick and lugging it to generate scoring chances. After a breakout regular season (49 points), the 26-year-old Swede is up to eight goals, four helpers and 51 shots through 12 playoff games. He also stacks nicely with Ryan Kesler as a mid-priced duo.
Mark Stone, OTT at PIT ($5,000): It was a slow start to the playoffs for the winger, as Stone recorded just two goals and an assist through 10 games. However, he had a huge hand in finishing off the Rangers by posting two goals, a helper and five shots through the final two games of the series. Stone has averaged over two minutes of power-play time per game during the postseason and is a go-to scorer for Ottawa, so look for him to continue moving the needle with Pittsburgh's defense missing several key cogs.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT at PIT ($7,300): The Ottawa captain proved his health with two straight multi-point showings (a goal and four assists) to finish off the Rangers in Round 2. He also pads his fantasy point total through a high shot volume and a willingness to block shots, so his high ceiling is accompanied by a reliable floor. After an emotional seven-game series against Washington, the Penguins might be ripe for a letdown showing, too.
Brandon Montour, ANA vs. NAS ($3,700): A low price flier, Montour played just 17:42 in Game 1 against Nashville, but he still registered three shots on net. He's a tremendous skater and is capable of joining the attack without being a defensive reliability, and the 23-year-old defenseman posted four helpers and 16 shots through seven games in Round 2 against Edmonton.
