This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are just two games in the NHL on Friday: the Caps hosting the Maple Leafs in a 2-2 series, and the Bruins on the brink of elimination at Ottawa. Here are a number of players to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups from the shallow player pool.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT vs. BOS ($7,300): With Ottawa looking to close out the series at home, look for Anderson to follow up his best showing of the playoffs -- a Game 4 shutout -- with another solid outing Friday. He posted a 13-5-2 record with a .925 save percentage and 2.18 GAA at the Canadian Tire Centre during the regular season, and Boston has generated the fourth-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (just 8.99) at five-on-five of all playoff teams.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. TOR ($7,200): Washington has scored 14 goals through the first four games of the series, and Backstrom has two tallies, three assists and seven shots over the past three games. Additionally, he hasn't recorded a point with the man advantage yet. With 142 power-play points over the past four seasons, it would be surprising to see him continue to fail at taking advantage of his power-play opportunities.
Derick Brassard, OTT vs. BOS ($4,500): While he's been matched up against Patrice Bergeron for most of the series, Brassard sports a three-game point streak and carries a modest salary. He's a favorite of head coach Guy Boucher, and the 29-year-old center has two goals, five points and six shots on net while averaging 3:26 of power-play time through the past three contests.
WING
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. TOR ($6,900): With a scoresheet appearance in all four games and a significant offensive role, Oshie is a strong lean Friday. He registered three shots on net in Game 4 and is up to two goals and four points in the series. Additionally, he's added a few extra fantasy points with his willingness to block shots. There's also the fact of assignment alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in all situations, which provides a nice fantasy floor.
William Nylander, TOR at WAS ($5,900): With Toronto trailing for the entirety of Game 4, Nylander's ice time soared to 20:34, and he registered two assists and two shots on net. He's been a nightmare matchup for Washington, as his presence on the ice has coincided with 22 high-danger scoring chances through four games in the series.
Bobby Ryan, OTT vs. BOS ($4,500): This salary doesn't match Ryan's breakout playoff run. The winger has been a key cog for Ottawa again with a point in each of the four games, totaling three goals, two assists and 13 shots. He's also been deployed as a net-front presence with the man advantage, which helps his offensive upside.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. BOS ($7,500): Boston hasn't had an answer for Karlsson. He has five assists, 11 shots and eight blocked shots while averaging 27:39 of ice time (3:43 on the power play) through the first four games of the series. He's been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances (22) among Sens in the series, too.
Jake Gardiner, TOR at WAS ($4,300): Playoff hockey has helped Gardiner's fantasy floor, as he's shown more willingness to shoot and block shots. He's scored a goal and has two assists through four games, but he's also been on the ice for 32 high-danger scoring chances, which leads all Maple Leafs. This salary opens up spending room for other positions, too.
