This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
FanDuel has two-day contests consisting of the Game 2 bout between Pittsburgh and Ottawa on Monday, and Game 3 of the Western Conference finals with Anaheim visiting Nashville on Tuesday. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT vs. OTT ($8,800): There have been ups and downs during the playoffs for Fleury, as he's allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 13 games while surrendering 21 tallies in the other five outings. Still, his .928 save percentage is rock-solid, and after Pittsburgh came out flat in Game 1, this is an important contest for the Penguins. Ottawa's 9.2 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes are also the fewest of any remaining playoff team.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. OTT ($8,900): Pittsburgh's captain has just three helpers over four games since missing Game 4 of the Round 2 series against Washington. With the Penguins in need of a win after dropping Game 1 against Ottawa, counting on a breakout showing from Crosby could pay off. After all, even with his recent drop in production, he still has 14 points through 12 games. There's also no denying his ability to raise his game when the stakes are highest.
Mike Fisher, NAS vs. ANA ($3,600): Now up to 12 games without registering a point, Fisher's poor puck luck is reaching an all new low. He's averaged 2:08 of power-play time per game during the playoffs and continues to play a significant role at even strength, so expecting a flip of fortunes is in play at his discounted salary. After he posted 18 goals, 24 assists and 2.11 points per 60 minutes during the regular season, the pendulum is going to swing in the other direction sooner than later.
WING
Corey Perry, ANA at NAS ($5,400): The veteran winger has been held off the scoresheet in consecutive games to start the series and hasn't even registered a shot on net. This isn't a novel trend, though. Perry has failed to register a point in eight of 14 playoff games, but he still has two goals and nine points during the postseason. The offense has come in bunches, and a bounce-back showing at this salary has contest-winning upside.
Bryan Rust, PIT vs. OTT ($4,400): Projected to remain on Sidney Crosby's wing, Rust is worth a long look as mid-priced target. He's registered five goals and 28 shots through 13 postseason games, and Rust has combined with No. 87 for an impressive 3.81 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two regular seasons. Rust's salary also helps mitigate Crosby's hefty price when stacking the linemates.
Nick Ritchie, ANA at NAS ($3,400): The power forward has two goals and 15 shots through his past five games while logging a respectable 15:42 of ice time, with 1:19 of that on the power play. Ryan Getzlaf has also been Ritchie's most frequent center to start the series, which is a huge fantasy boost for the young winger. This salary also opens up plenty of cap space to spend up at other positions.
DEFENSE
Roman Josi, NAS vs. ANA ($6,300): Home-ice advantage and the last change have been positives for Josi's fantasy value during the playoffs. He has four goals, an assist, 14 shots and eight blocked shots through five home games, after all. Josi has averaged a hefty 25:57 of ice time with 2:37 on the man advantage during the playoffs, which combines with his solid peripheral coverage -- 36 shots and 27 blocked shots -- to provide a high floor.
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. OTT ($5,600): With an average of 3:48 of power-play time per game during the playoffs, Schultz's role playing pitch-and-catch with Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel with the man advantage is a cushy fantasy gig. Before his recent offensive slide (one assist through the past four games), Schultz had two goals, seven points, 16 shots and 12 blocked shots through the first nine playoff games. This price doesn't match his upside.
