This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. NJ ($8,400): The Devils may have won the season series but everyone starts with a blank slate in the playoffs, and the Lightning have a distinct advantage with a deeper lineup. Vasilevskiy's two losses against the Devils came in February and March when fatigue was likely a factor after playing a career-high 65 games. With a six-day rest between his final regular season start and the playoffs, Vasilevskiy should be fresh and the Lightning healthy and ready to go. Their 29 home wins this season trailed only the Penguins in the Eastern Conference.
CENTER
Brayden Point, TB vs. NJ ($6,100): The last time the two teams played each other, Point drew the top assignment against Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall, but that resulted in a loss. With two-way winger Ondrej Palat on Point's line, Jon Cooper may elect to go with the same matchup to keep Hall in check, but he may also elect to go head-to-head with Steven Stamkos' line. Regardless of the matchup, the Lightning have the distinct advantage at center ice, and Point has feasted against the competition all season with 66 points in 82 games.
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. COL ($5,000): Johansen will likely draw a tough matchup going head-to-head against Nathan MacKinnon, but he'll have the huge benefit of having one of the league's best defenses playing behind him. Although Johansen scored just 54 points as the Preds' No. 1 center this season, he's a proven playoff performer with 13 points in 14 games last year and 27 points in 34 career games. He has the advantage in both size and strength against MacKinnon, which will be a huge benefit in the playoffs when open ice comes at a premium.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. CLS ($7,800): The league's Rocket Richard winner is four career playoff goals away from 50, and even though he faces a red-hot Jackets squad, Sergei Bobrovsky's playoff numbers have not been good with a 3.63 GAA and .887 save percentage. In 30 career games against the Jackets in the regular season, Ovechkin has scored 16 goals and six assists. The Caps must come out swinging in a series many expect the Jackets to win, and all eyes will be on their captain.
Rickard Rakell, ANH vs. SJ ($6,400): He's been the Ducks' best and most consistent forward all season, and if his regular season performance against the Sharks – five points in four games – is any indication, he should be the focal point of the Ducks' offense. With a healthy lineup, Rakell will line up on the left wing with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, two veteran players who have a history of playoff excellence. Rakell scored 13 points in 15 playoff games last season and should have no problems picking up where he left off.
Kevin Fiala, NSH vs. COL ($4,700): He's one of four 20-goal scorers on the Preds, but he's by far the most improved, increasing his point total by 32 from last year. The Avs are essentially a one-line team, so the Preds' biggest advantage will be their depth. Fiala is expected to be on the second line with Kyle Turris and Craig Smith, and he'll likely serve as the primary playmaker. Both Turris and Smith have the ability to open up the ice with their gritty play, and if both teams' top lines play each other to a draw, Fiala could be the big difference maker.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLS at WAS ($5,800): A rib injury forced Jones to sit out the final regular season game, but it should not affect his play much in the first round. It's a shame that his 57-point season isn't getting more Norris Trophy talk, but the Caps must already know how good he is. In four games against the Caps this season, Jones has one goal and four assists while averaging 24 minutes per game. His usage will certainly tick upwards as John Tortorella leans on his big guns; Jones averaged more than 26 minutes in five playoff games last year, a three-minute increase from his regular season average.
P.K. Subban, NSH vs. COL ($4,900): For a guy who's a potential Conn Smythe winner if the Preds win it all, Subban comes awfully cheap. In 22 playoff games last year he scored 12 points, trailing Roman Josi by two points and Ryan Ellis by one. Subban was the Preds' top scoring defenseman this season, and he will continue to be relied on to generate offense, especially against an Avs defense that isn't very good. Expectations are high for the Preds, but Subban loves the spotlight and shines brightest when he's the center of attention.
