This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
DraftKings has two-day contests consisting of the Game 2 bouts in both conference finals. After the road teams won their respective Game 1s, Anaheim will look to even its series Sunday, and Pittsburgh will be after the same result Monday. Here are a number of recommendations to consider while assembling your lineup…
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. NAS ($7,700): Primed for a rebound showing Sunday, Gibson and the Ducks showed tremendous resiliency in Round 2 against Edmonton, and they won't want to fall to a 2-0 deficit heading to Smashville for Game 3. The Predators took advantage of four days of rest and preparation ahead of Game 1, as the Ducks had just one day off. Even in the tough schedule spot, Gibson made 43 saves in the overtime loss.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. OTT ($8,300): After missing Game 4 against Washington, Crosby has just three assists over four games, and was held off the scoresheet entirely Saturday against Ottawa. Paying up for a bounce-back showing is in the cards, as even with some ups and downs through the playoffs, No. 87 still has 14 points through 12 games.
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NAS ($5,400): At this salary, Kesler is worth a look as a mid-priced option. He collected a goal, six points and 20 shots while averaging 21:42 of ice time per game in Round 2 against Edmonton, and then he was on the ice for 12 scoring chances against the Preds on Friday. The center also logged 4:32 of power-play time Friday and remains a staple on the No. 1 power-play unit.
WING
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. NAS ($6,300): After a career-best regular season (49 points), the 26-year-old Swede is up to eight goals, four helpers and 51 shots through 12 playoff games. He tacks nicely with Ryan Kesler as a mid-priced duo, and the pair shares the ice at even strength and on the No. 1 power-play unit. Silfverberg looked dominant for stretches of Game 1, and he also scored an unassisted goal.
Bryan Rust, PIT vs. OTT ($4,400): Flanking Sidney Crosby is a cushy fantasy gig, and Rust has succeeded in the role in the past. The duo combined for 3.81 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two regular seasons, and Rust has five goals and 28 shots through 13 playoff games. His salary also helps mitigate Crosby's hefty price in a stack.
Colin Wilson, NAS at ANA ($3,100): This is a soft price for a player logging the minutes Wilson is. He's averaged 16:23 of ice time over the past five games with 2:52 on the power play. It has translated to just a single assist during that stretch, but Wilson still has a rock-solid 11 goals and 20 points through his past 27 postseason games.
DEFENSE
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. OTT ($5,300): The Pittsburgh power-play quarterback boasts a nice floor-ceiling combo. Before a recent four-game slide with just a single assist, Schultz posted two goals, seven points, 16 shots and 12 blocked shots over nine outings, and he's logged 3:48 of power-play time during the playoffs. This salary doesn't match Schultz's upside, either.
Brandon Montour, ANA vs. NAS ($3,700): A cheap flier, while the rookie played just 17:42 in Game 1 against Nashville, he still recorded three shots on net. Montour is a tremendous skater and is capable of joining the attack without being a defensive reliability. He's also posted four helpers and 16 shots through seven games in Round 2 against Edmonton, so there's offensive upside.
