This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are two Game 7s on the docket in what projects to be the best night of the playoffs yet. Washington hosts Pittsburgh, then the Oilers visit Anaheim. At this stage of the playoffs and in these particular series, line juggling has been commonplace, especially with players sustaining injuries or returning to the lineup from them. Monitoring scratches and changes in line combinations right up to puck drop is encouraged. With that in mind, here are a handful of recommendations to keep in mind while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS at PIT ($8,700): Washington dominated Game 6, and Holtby was eyeing a shutout until two meaningless goals were scored late in the 5-2 rout. With a 62.2 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five during the series, the Capitals have driven the play, and they've grabbed all the momentum with consecutive wins. The Penguins' depleted defense corps has hindered their ability to generate scoring chances and sustain offensive pressure, and this game should be a lower-scoring affair than the likely Ducks-Oilers goal fest.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at ANA ($8,300): Amazingly, the Oilers scored seven goals in Game 6, and yet McDavid didn't register a single point. After posting 100 points during the regular season, his five goals and nine points through 12 playoff games have been a touch underwhelming. However, there is no questioning his ability to dominate games for stretches or in their entirety, and that's been on display throughout this series. The upside outweighs the risk.
Lars Eller, WAS vs. PIT ($3,500): Since Alex Ovechkin was moved to Eller's wing in Game 5, the pivot has been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five (13.5) of all Caps, collecting two assists in the process. Facing an injury-depleted blue line should help Eller avoid tough on-ice matchups, and he opens up significant cap space to spend on high-priced scorers.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at ANA ($7,800): Obviously, repeating his five-point Game 6 showing is asking a lot, but Draisaitl has been a force during this series, with at least one point in five of six games for a total of five goals, eight assists and 14 shots. This game should see more scoring than the tilt between Washington and Pittsburgh, and Draisaitl's high salary is manageable in the context of his dominant production against the Ducks.
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. EDM ($6,400): Having hit the scoresheet in eight of 10 playoff games for six goals, 10 points and 34 shots, Rakell's seen his strong regular-season production carry right over into the second season. He's been on the ice for 18.8 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, and Rakell has recently been skating with Ryan
Getzlaf and Corey Perry at even strength. Considering what's at stake, playing with Anaheim's two long-standing veterans is a favorable fantasy spot.
Andre Burakovsky, WAS at PIT ($4,000): This is a gift-wrapped salary for Burakovsky. He was on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (21.2) during the first four games of the series before being promoted to a top-line gig with T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom. Burakovsky responded to the extended role with consecutive multi-point showings and was also on the ice for another 28 scoring chances. This new-look trio appears to be a perfect fit for the 22-year-old Russian.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at ANA ($4,500): Projected to return to the lineup for Game 7, Klefbom (undisclosed) has been a high-floor producer during the playoffs, and his upside soars over this price. With an average of 22:59 of ice time (2:41 on the power play) per game and solid peripheral coverage (25 shots and 25 blocked shots through 11 games), there's a nice starting point for offense to build on. Klefbom has posted five points through 11 games while often quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and spending significant even-strength time on the ice with Connor McDavid.
Nate Schmidt, WAS vs. PIT ($3,200): A potential low-priced flier to open cap relief without sacrificing upside, Schmidt has been a respectable contributor despite playing a limited role in the playoffs. His skating ability allows the blueliner to join the rush without being a defensive liability, and Schmidt's collected a respectable four points, 17 shots and 10 blocked shots over 10 playoff games. He's also been on the ice for 10.9 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes and boasts an impressive 60.3 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five.
