This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Heading into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, we were talking about Marc-Andre Fleury's stellar campaign and Braden Holtby's consecutive shutouts to end the Eastern Conference Finals. Then the Golden Knights and Capitals combined for 10 goals. With that in mind, here's some recommendations for Game 2.
CAPTAIN
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at VGK ($10,900): You can probably bank on Kuznetsov with as much confidence as anybody. He has an 11-game point streak wherein he's tallied with 16 points and 45 shots on net. Overall, he's tallied 25 in 20 games to lead the postseason in scoring. Marc-Andre Fleury proved to be fallible in Game 1, and it's not like you can avoid Capitals with only two teams left anyway.
FORWARD
Jonathan Marchessault, VGK vs. WAS ($11,000): Marchessault fortunately avoided any real issues after taking a hit to the head from Tom Wilson (naturally) in Game 1. He returned to the game, and finished with an assist and five shots on net. It took the winger a couple games to get going in the playoffs, but in his last 15 games he has eight goals on 67 shots and 11 helpers.
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. WAS ($9,500): Smith has three two-point games in his last five contests, including a goal and an assist in Game 1 of this series. He managed 60 points in 67 regular season games, and he's added 18 more points in the playoffs. Though they have been better in the postseason, the Capitals had a 3.29 GAA on the road this year.
Lars Eller, WAS at VGK ($7,300): When you splash some cash to get the big names, you are going to have to grab a slightly cheaper forward to round out the lineup. Eller has more potential than most. He managed 18 goals during the regular season, and in his last eight games he has seven points. Granted, some of that came with Nicklas Backstrom out, but Eller has at least proven himself.
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson, WAS at VGK ($9,200):John Carlson was prolific during the regular season, tallying 15 goals and 53 assists. A whopping 32 of his points came with the extra man. In the playoffs he's added 17 points, including 10 on the power play. If you want a defenseman who is a reliable point producer, Carlson is your only option in this series.
Colin Miller, VGK vs. WAS ($7,000): Truth be told, I have recommended Miller many times during these playoffs based on the fact that he started 61.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which was highest on the Golden Knights. For a defenseman, that's worth something. It paid off in Game 1, as he scored a goal on the power play. He has a big shot, and he managed 10 goals this year. Plus, with Braden Holtby having an off night to start the season, his regular season numbers (2.99 GAA, .907 save percentage) spring back to mind.
