This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
DraftKings has two-day contests consisting of the two Game 3 bouts in the respective Conference Finals. Both series are tied 1-1, but it appears the Ottawa-Pittsburgh battle is going to be the lower-scoring matchup of the two. With that in mind, here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT vs. OTT ($7,500): This salary is an absolute steal for Fleury. The Senators generated just three high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five in Game 2, and were content to sit back and play not to lose. There is obviously potential for Ottawa to be less conservative, and the Pittsburgh blue line is riddled with injuries, but Fleury has also allowed just two goals through his past three starts and sports a .931 save percentage during the playoffs.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA at NAS ($7,700): Sometimes the statistics show more than meets the eye and vice versa, but in Getzlaf's case, his dominance is clear in both respects. After being held off the scoresheet for three consecutive outings, he posted a three-helper showing in Game 2. The Anaheim captain is up to eight goals, 18 points and 41 shots through 13 playoff games, and he has seven multi-point showings.
Mike Fisher, NAS vs. ANA ($4,100): The veteran center has gone 12 games without registering a point in the playoffs. He's locked into a significant role at even strength and has averaged 2:08 of power-play time per game during the postseason, so the pendulum is going to swing in Fisher's direction at some point. After all, he's coming off a solid regular season with 18 goals, 24 helpers and 2.11 points per 60 minutes.
WING
Filip Forsberg, NAS vs. ANA ($6,700): While Forsberg has just a single multi-point game in the postseason, he's still posted an impressive five goals, five assists and 35 shots through 12 contests. His offensively tilted role and high shot volume provide a nice fantasy floor, and with home-ice advantage and the last change, Forsberg should be able to find softer in-game matchups periodically in Game 3.
Corey Perry, ANA at NAS ($5,600): Without a point or shot on goal through the first two games of the series, Perry's in line for a bounce-back showing. He has been incredibly streaky during the postseason and missed the scoresheet in eight of 14 games. However, he's still registered two goals and nine points, which highlights his significant upside. At this salary, a multi-point showing has contest-winning potential.
Nick Ritchie, ANA at NAS ($3,600): With Getzlaf as his primary center of late, Ritchie's fantasy value skyrockets. The winger has recorded two goals and 15 shots over his past five games while logging 15:42 of ice time, which includes 1:19 on the power play. It's rare to find a player in Ritchie's price range receiving such favorable offensive opportunities, and that role and his recent uptick in shot volume provide a nice fantasy floor. The cap space he opens up is a bonus, too.
DEFENSE
Roman Josi, NAS vs. ANA ($6,000): Smashville has been kind to Josi, as he's posted four goals, an assist and 14 shots through five home games. He's logging 25:57 of ice time with 2:37 on the power play per game during the postseason, which has enabled the blue liner to post reliable supporting statistics: 36 shots and 27 blocked shots through 12 playoff games. This salary doesn't break the bank, and especially with Josi offering a high-floor, high-ceiling combo.
Cam Fowler, ANA at NAS ($5,200): This is a manageable salary to lock in Fowler for Game 3. He's quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and has collected a goal, seven points, 15 shots and 11 blocked shots through nine postseason games. His peripheral statistics are below his regular-season numbers, so while the offensive results have been there, an uptick in his secondary contributions could help pad his point totals going forward.
