This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at NSH ($7,800) – Even though Pekka Rinne and the Preds are coming off a very convincing 34-save shutout win in enemy territory, it has followed an odd pattern of alternating wins and losses for Rinne that started in Game 2… of the first round. The Preds have home-ice advantage and plenty of experience, but if Rinne struggles they're definitely cooked. The shutout loss in Game 6 was just the third time it's happened to the high-flying Jets this season, which means Hellebuyck should get plenty of goal support and come out with a win barring a terrible performance.
CENTER
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. WAS ($6,800) – Truth be told, Stamkos didn't look good until the tail end of the series against the Bruins, and in the deciding game played a little over 14 minutes. However, it's hard to ignore that he has three points in his past three games, Nikita Kucherov is finally scoring and the Caps don't have the same depth at center as the Bruins with an injured Nicklas Backstrom. Brayden Point has been the Lightning's best center so far but it feels like Stamkos is heating up.
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. WPG ($5,500) – After getting shut out in Game 1 the Preds' No. 1 center is playing like one with eight points in the series, including a two-assist, plus-4 effort in Game 6. In Nashville, Peter Laviolette can get the matchups he wants, and despite being thoroughly outplayed by the Jets at certain points in the series, it's been their vaunted defense that has caused more problems. All the talk in the past about Johansen being a lazy, no-show player is no longer a narrative.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at TB ($7,700) – Did you see how hyped the Russian Machine was after they capped off the Pens series? For the first time in his career Ovechkin is going to the conference final, and seeing how he's always played so passionately, the novelty must surely help him kick in an extra gear. Ovechkin has traditionally feasted on the Lightning, scoring 43 goals and 85 points in 66 career regular season games against them.
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. WAS ($7,600) – Like linemate Steven Stamkos, Kucherov found his scoring touch in the late stages of the series against the Bruins, and it seems logical that he should be able to carry his scoring touch into the next round. Although Braden Holtby has been very good for the Caps, the Lightning know that he can be beaten; in his only start against the Lightning he was tagged with four goals on just 19 shots in a loss.
Tom Wilson, WAS at TB ($4,200) – Free Willy! Wilson is back in the lineup just in time for Game 1 after serving his three-game suspension, and prior to that he was on a three-game point streak with four assists. He will return to his usual spot on the top line. Wilson can be a big difference-maker this series because he can potentially throw Nikita Kucherov off his game.
DEFENSE
P.K. Subban, NSH vs. WPG ($5,500) – The spotlight will be white-hot even in Nashville, and that's when players like Subban shine. The charismatic blueliner lives for the big moments and he's due for a big game having gone two straight games without a point. Even as a defenseman Subban's biggest strength is his scoring and having made good on his promise in Game 6 everyone knows it's time to close the deal.
Dmitry Orlov, WAS at TB ($3,600) – Orlov is eighth in average ice time among defensemen still competing in the playoffs, but trails John Carlson and Matt Niskanen on the team. However, Orlov's offensive upside remains intriguing as the team's No. 2 power-play QB and made enormous strides this season. Orlov is an intriguing and often overlooked option because he gets more ice time than Mikhail Sergachev ($3,700) at even strength and Matt Niskanen ($3,900) on the power play and scores more often than Ryan McDonagh ($4,000), all of whom are more expensive.
