This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are just two games in the NHL on Tuesday. Ottawa is looking to grab a 3-0 stranglehold over the Rangers, and St. Louis is hoping to even its series against Nashville at 2-2. Here are a number of players to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups from the shallow player pool.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS vs. STL ($8,200): St. Louis has generated a playoff-low 5.66 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and Rinne has won six of seven playoff games with a .950 save percentage and 1.38 GAA. The Nashville netminder projects to make a pile of easy saves again in Game 3.
CENTER
Ryan Johansen, NAS vs. STL ($6,100): After opening the playoffs with a five-game point streak (one goal and six helpers), Johansen has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive contests. He logged 22:06 of ice time and registered four shots in Game 2, and in a particularly underwhelming center pool, Johansen stands out. He's combined with linemates Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson to post a league-best 4.88 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five during the playoffs, too.
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. OTT ($5,300): Of all New York forwards, Zibanejad has been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five (10.64 per 60 minutes). He's also cashing in on his opportunities by hitting the scoresheet in three of the past four games for a goal and four assists.
WING
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS vs. STL ($6,400): As noted, Arvidsson has remained a force atop the Nashville depth chart. However, after scoring the second most goals (19) in the league after the All-Star break, he's notched just two goals and two helpers through seven postseason games. He's still fired 18 shots on net, and considering his role and regular-season production the offensive results are coming.
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. OTT ($4,900): A cheap stack option alongside Mika Zibanejad, Kreider finally scored his first goal of the playoffs in Game 2. The Kreider-Zibanejad combo combined for 3.25 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five during the regular season, and with nine shots through the first two games of the series, Kreider's high shot volume provides a nice fantasy floor. His Game 2 tally might have also opened the offensive floodgates for him.
Colin Wilson, NAS vs. STL ($3,100): After logging 16:39 with 2:53 on the power play during Game 3, Wilson's uptick in ice time is encouraging for his fantasy stock. In his price range, it's rare to find a player playing a significant offensive role, and Wilson has also recorded 19 points through his past 23 playoff games.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT at NYR ($7,500): The minute-munching rearguard has hit the scoresheet in seven of eight playoff games for a goal, seven helpers, 21 shots and 17 blocked shots. His integral role in the offense and peripheral contributions make Karlsson a nightly consideration, regardless of his hefty salary.
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. OTT ($5,300): The Blueshirt captain has picked up his production of late with a goal, four assists, 11 shots and 17 blocked shots through his past five contests. He logs oodles of ice – 27:39 of ice time per game with 3:00 on the power play during the playoffs – and provides a nice floor-ceiling combo because of his peripheral coverage and offensive role.
