This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
On Saturday, the second round of the NHL playoffs begin, and the first round (possibly) ends. The Maple Leafs couldn't knock off the Canadiens at home in Game 5, so now the series heads back to Montreal for Game 6. Meanwhile, the Bruins are hosting the Islanders in Game 1 of their series. I'd say you should expect to not see many goals in that series, but then the Islanders scored 3.50 goals per game and allowed 2.67 goals per game in round one against the Penguins.
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. NYI ($8,000): All things considered, I'd still happily bank on Rask against the Islanders. They may have tallied 3.50 goals per contest against Pittsburgh, but they averaged 2.71 goals per game in the regular season, 21th in the NHL. Rask got off to a bit of a slow start against the Capitals, but in the end he posted a 1.81 GAA and .941 save percentage in that series. During the regular season, he had a 2.28 GAA.
Jack Campbell, TOR at MON ($7,800): Campbell was solved by the Habs in Game 5, but how often is Joel Armia going to light the lamp twice? The former King still has a 1.61 GAA and .944 save percentage in this series. Also, there's no need to worry about him on the road. This season he had a 1.97 GAA and .928 save percentage in 14 appearances in away games.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE OFFS
Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. NYI ($7,200): In this series, you might need to bet on the big guns, at least until we see how it plays out. Ilya Sorokin has taken over in net for the Islanders, and while he's a rookie his KHL resume is not that of a typical rookie. Bergeron notched 48 points in 54 games this year, and he skates on an elite line with David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. After being a bit invisible in Game 1 against the Capitals, over the final four games of the series he had three goals, one assist, and 21 shots on net.
Tyler Toffoli, MON vs. TOR ($6,000): Who might be able to take advantage if Campbell slips up again? Toffoli led the Canadiens in points (44) goals (28) and shots on net (158) this season. He also started 58.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second among Montreal forwards only to fourth-line veteran Corey Perry. Also, Toronto did have one defensive issue this season, which was the 24th-ranked penalty kill.
LINE STACK TO CONSIDER
Maple Leafs at Canadiens: Alex Kerfoot (C - $3,500), William Nylander (W - $5,900), Alex Galchenyuk (W - $3,300)
Of the four goalies expected in net Saturday, Carey Price definitely had the worst season. In fact, by some measures he was the worst starting netminder of any playoff team. While his 2.64 GAA wasn't bad, his .901 save percentage was definitely alarming. His save percentage is up to .919 in this series, but his GAA is still 2.66. The Maple Leafs have a line featuring Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but I am going with the Leafs' second line because the salary outlay is easier to handle, and also this trio has been unexpectedly hot.
Kerfoot stepped up to center Toronto's second line after John Tavares' injury (get well soon, John!) and has five points in this series. For the first time in this series Nylander didn't have a goal in Game 5. Instead, we had to settle for a mere two assists from the winger. Only once in his last 14 games has the 25-year-old been held off the score sheet. Galchenyuk has enjoyed some success against his former team over the last two games, as he has four points over those contests.
DEFENSE
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. NYI ($5,300): McAvoy is the lodestone of the Boston blue line. He averaged 24:00 in ice time during the regular season, and that's up to 27:15 in the playoffs. Even more encouraging is the 3:51 he's averaged on the power play in the postseason, as he only played 1:59 with the extra man during the regular season. McAvoy had 30 points in 51 games this year, and he's added five more in the playoffs.
Jake Muzzin, TOR at MON ($4,800): No, this isn't because Muzzin had two goals in Game 5, though that was fun. He had 27 points in 53 games this season, and he came into the playoffs on a five-game point streak. Muzzin can also add value on the defensive end of the ice. He had 94 blocked shots in the regular season and has blocked nine more in this series.
