This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Round 2 of the NHL playoffs kick-starts Wednesday with the four Western Conference teams playing the first games of their respective series. While it's a shallow player pool, it also isn't difficult to slide under the salary cap. Here are a number of players to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS at STL ($8,900): The Blues only generated 6.5 high-danger chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five in the first round of the playoffs, and Rinne posted a .976 save percentage to sweep the Blackhawks. Until the Blues show signs of being able to generate consistent offensive pressure, they check out as a cushy fantasy matchup.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at ANA ($8,600): The Edmonton captain was good (two goals and two assists through six games), but not great against San Jose. He's rarely been anything other than dominant since entering the league, and the Ducks allowed 11.46 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five in Round 1. Anaheim also struggled down a man, posting a 62.5 penalty-kill percentage. Fading the top scorer in the player pool could prove ill-advised when it's not difficult to fit McDavid under the cap.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. EDM ($7,900): Getzlaf continued his solid late-season run with three goals and five points against Calgary in Round 1. He's now up to nine goals, 36 points and 52 shots through his latest 26 games, and he's seen an uptick in ice time through four postseason contests (22:18 with 4:06 on the man advantage).
WING
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at STL ($6,500): The high-volume shooter (10.71 shots per 60 minutes) had a breakout regular season and finished second in goals (19) after the All-Star break. He added two more tallies, an assist and 11 shots during the Round 1 sweep, and Arvidsson provides a high fantasy floor because of his top-line role, power-play time and shot volume.
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. EDM ($6,200): After finding the scoresheet in all four games of Round 1, Rakell's point streak is up to six games with three goals, six assists and three multi-point showings. He's established himself as a high-end scorer, and this salary hasn't caught up his breakout showing and recent form.
Zack Kassian, EDM at ANA ($3,300): The 26-year-old winger had a major impact in Round 1, and while it only translated to two goals through six games, Kassian's ice time climbed. He averaged a respectable 16:41 per outing over the final four games against the Sharks, which is more than most wingers in his price range. His style of play might be a strong fit for the physicality of the Ducks, too.
DEFENSE
Ryan Ellis, NAS at STL ($4,900): This is a manageable salary, especially with Ellis coming off a breakout offensive season and a standout Round 1 showing. Partnering with an elite defender is often a huge fantasy boon, and Ellis and Roman Josi have been rock solid together. Ellis moved the needle across all categories with a goal, two assists, 10 shots and 13 blocked shots through four games against Chicago.
Shea Theodore, ANA vs. EDM ($4,300): With multiple injuries, the Anaheim defense is going to be a guessing game leading into Game 1. There are no health concerns with Theodore, though, and he proved to be an offensive weapon in Round 1 with two goals, three assists and nine shots. Until he slows down or sees a significant decline in ice time (mainly with the man advantage), he's worth considering at this salary.
