This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Both the Senators and Capitals can move onto the next round with wins, but they will have to do so on the road. For the Leafs and Bruins, the good news is that they will dictate matchups for most of the night with last change on home ice. The most interesting fact? Every single game between the two teams has been decided by just one goal.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. WAS ($8,200): How much do you trust Mike Babcock? After leaving the Verizon Center in Game 5, Babcock reportedly told the rink staff that he'd see them in a couple days. Whether it's confidence or cockiness, it's clear that the overtime loss hasn't crushed the Leafs' hopes just yet. The series is just too good to not go into a Game 7, and every game has been decided by one goal, and it just wouldn't be the Caps' way to make things easier for themselves. Andersen hasn't been particularly sharp at home, but he's going to get lots of goal support – the Leafs have scored four goals in each of their home games.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at TOR ($7,600): After being held without a point in Game 1, Backstrom has been one of the Caps' best players, registering at least one point and two shots in each of the following four games. He's been very involved from the beginning, and Barry Trotz will be leaning on him heavily as they try to end the series. He's been a point-per-game player in the playoffs over the past two seasons.
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. WAS ($7,200): He's scored a goal in each of his past three games and has gotten much better as the series goes on. With Nazem Kadri focused on being the ultimate pest and Tyler Bozak providing a solid presence in the defensive zone, Matthews has been Babcock's preferred option on offense. His skill is undeniable and he's a very effective scorer at even strength, and don't forget he's one of the best big-game players of his generation, scoring big goals on the international stage and at the World Cup.
WING
T.J. Oshie, WAS at TOR ($7,500): Oshie has shed his reputation as a playoff underperformer after departing St. Louis (coincidence, maybe?), and he has been a point-per-game player for the Caps in the playoffs. He's been very involved from the start and has learned to translate his clutch ability in shootouts to even-strength play. He's an all-round player, so even if Oshie doesn't score, he's always a good bet to get at least a few shots on net and a few hits and blocked shots along the way.
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. OTT ($6,700): Pasta's been the main course of Boston's offense, especially with Brad Marchand managing to score just one goal in the series. Pastrnak played 28 minutes in Game 5, registering a goal and six shots on net. The Bruins' offense has struggled to put goals on the board, but if anyone's going to come through for them, it's likely Pastrnak, who is the only Bruin to score in multiple games.
Mike Hoffman, OTT at BOS ($6,300): He's truly an underrated offensive player and came within inches of scoring a goal after a few of his shots snuck past Tuukka Rask. After a near-invisible showing to start the series, Hoffman's put 14 shots on goal in his past three games. As the saying goes, putting the puck on net is never a bad idea, and Hoffman has scored two goals and an assist during that span. Now that he's found a recipe for success, he should be able to continue his strong play.
Justin Williams, WAS at TOR ($5,100): If the Caps are going to close this series out in six games, Williams will surely be a part of the equation. He played just 14 minutes in Game 5 even though it went into overtime, but he's made a career of showing up when it matters most. He's a boom-or-bust pick, but the potential rewards could be huge if he can score another big goal. The Capitals will be pushing hard to close out the series, even though Game 7 will be played at home.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT at BOS ($7,200): Karlsson ahs simply taken his game to another level in the playoffs, where he's making plays every night that leave your jaw on the floor. He's the best defenseman in the league, and by far the best player in the series, and played an astonishing 41 minutes in Game 5. Karlsson has delivered in every game of the playoffs, and he enters Game 6 with five assists, 15 shots on goal and 12 blocked shots.
Nate Schmidt, WAS at TOR ($3,300): He's a bargain pick because of the role he plays, and not necessarily because he's playing over his head. Drawing into the lineup due to an injury to Karl Alzner, Schmidt has used his speed to open up the ice, and he has two assists in three games. He won't log heavy minutes and the sample size is small, but he seems to have been far more effective generating offense than either Kevin Shattenkirk or John Carlson. The wrinkle is that Alzner may dress for Game 6, but Barry Trotz has already said he'd be willing to go with seven defensemen. If that's the case, Schmidt's value takes a small hit as the odd-man out, but Trotz has praised him all season and won't hesitate to put him on the ice if he feels Schmidt can generate some scoring opportunities.
