This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
We're in the heart of the first round of the playoffs, and it's an interesting point where we're weighing the statistical results of the first two (or three) games of each series against the regular season while also keeping the off-ice narratives in mind. It really is the beauty of spring hockey. Here are a number of players to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups Monday.
GOALIE
Corey Crawford, CHI at NAS ($8,400): Nashville has looked dominant at times during the series (and for the majority of Game 2), but Chicago didn't fluke into being the best team in the Western Conference this season. The Blackhawks' core -- which includes Crawford -- is confident they're winning this series. Perhaps this lean is more narrative than stat-based, but call it a hunch that Chicago turns in a better showing in this must-win game. After all, Crawford has upped his play when it's mattered most in the past.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. CGY ($8,000): Dating back to the regular season, Getzlaf has eight goals, 35 points and 49 shots while averaging 21:13 of ice time (3:01 on the power play) through his past 24 games. He's also missed the scoresheet just five times during that span. Calgary might be able to slow down the scoring machine, but Getzlaf has owned the matchup against Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton through the first two games of the series.
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at TOR ($7,200): It'll be interesting to see how Toronto's patchwork blue line handles the Washington attack. Nikita Zaitsev (undisclosed) is projected to return, but is he 100 percent? Regardless, Backstrom has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league this season, and he has six shots and a goal through the first two games of the series. His salary isn't prohibitive, either.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. NAS ($8,300): Chicago doesn't have to win this game for Kane to reward at his dwindling salary. He's averaged 21:46 of ice time and registered nine shots through the first two outings of the series, and a bounce-back showing wouldn't shock anyone, considering his offensive track record and flair for the dramatic.
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. OTT ($6,800): While he's picked up an assist in each of the first two games of the series, Ottawa has largely kept Pastrnak in check, limiting him to just one shot on goal. Expect Boston to use its last change creatively to get Pastrnak going, and considering his elite 1.51 goals per 60 minutes during the regular season, counting on a Game 3 tally isn't out of the question.
Micheal Ferland, CGY vs. ANA ($3,500): Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan have historically played better on home ice, which makes their third wheel a strong low-priced flier for Game 3. Ferland has 10 shots through the first two games of the series, and he's
also seen some power-play looks in practice, so time with the man advantage would provide an additional virtual boost if it presents itself.
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith, CHI at NAS ($5,300): The pendulum might not swing in Chicago's direction Monday, but it would be shocking if the best players for the Blackhawks didn't show up. Keith has 124 games of playoff experience, and he's averaged 23:35 of ice time through the first two contests of this series as Chicago's go-to offensive defenseman. His salary is manageable, too.
Shea Theodore, ANA vs. CGY ($3,600): Until the price climbs to match Theodore's role and production, he's a go-to option. He posted 57 points through 76 AHL games over the past two seasons, and Theodore has exploded out of the gate with three assists -- two with the man advantage -- through the first two games of the series. There also aren't any other power-play quarterbacks in his price range.
