This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
After a five-game slate kick-started the NHL playoffs, there are only three tilts Thursday. The shallow player pool features one clear mismatch -- the Capitals hosting the Maple Leafs -- whereas the two Western Conference bouts should be close. Here are a number of players to consider from the shallow player pool.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. TOR ($9,300): The Leafs saw their high-danger scoring chances decline down the stretch (10.29 per 60 minutes after March 1), which bodes well for Washington keeping the Toronto offense in check. Holtby has plenty of playoff experience, including a .943 save percentage through his past two postseason runs. Spending up for the safest goaltender is always a strong starting point in shallow player pools, too.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. CGY ($7,800): The veteran collected 31 points while averaging 21:09 of ice time (2:44 on the power play) per game through his final 22 outings of the regular season. Additionally, the Ducks just swept a home-and-home series against Calgary, and Getzlaf collected an assist in each outing. He might also carry a lower ownership percentage than he should, as the most expensive centers on this slate figure to enjoy more popularity.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. TOR ($5,800): With just four goals and nine points through his final 20 games of the season, Kuznetsov enters the playoffs in underwhelming form. He's still receiving top-six minutes and power-play time, though. It helps that Toronto allowed three goals or more in five of six April games and will feel the loss of Nikita Zaitsev (undisclosed) in this tilt.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. NAS ($8,700): With 121 points through 123 playoff games, Kane is a proven postseason performer. He also capped off the regular season in elite form with 19 goals, 40 points and 112 shots through the final 30 contests. Moreover, when these two teams met in the 2014-15 playoffs, Kane had two goals, five assists and two multi-point showings during the six-game series.
Patrick Eaves, ANA vs. CGY ($5,300): The midseason acquisition has nine goals through the final 11 games of the regular season, so he's entering the playoffs in strong form. While there's obviously no guarantee that his hot stretch will carry over, Eaves is being deployed in favorable offensive spots. Sharing the ice with Getzlaf in all situations presents a nice stacking opportunity, especially with Eaves helping mitigate Getzlaf's larger salary.
Marcus Johansson, WAS vs. TOR ($5,100): The winger is a sneaky daily asset thanks to his role with the No. 1 power-play unit, and because Johansson skates on the second line at even strength, he has exposure to all of Washington's top scorers. Still only 26, the winger just turned in a career year with 24 goals and 58 points, including 12 points through the final 10 games of the campaign.
DEFENSE
Dmitry Orlov, WAS vs. TOR ($3,900): Among all defensemen with at least 2,000 minutes over the past two seasons, Orlov's 1.11 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five rank ninth in the league. He's attached to a juggernaut offense, provides cap relief and could be scarcely owned. It's a nice combo.
Shea Theodore, ANA vs. CGY ($3,100): The 21-year-old defenseman skated with the No. 1 power-play unit Monday, which makes him a sound low-priced flier. Theodore has posted 57 points through 76 AHL games over the past two seasons, and he's flashed similar offensive upside at the highest level. You won't find another defenseman rolling with the top man-advantage unit in his price range.
