This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
DraftKings has two-day contests consisting of Friday's Game 4 between Ottawa and Pittsburgh, and Saturday's Game 5 between the Ducks and Predators. Anaheim tied the Western Conference finals with a road win in Nashville on Thursday, and the Penguins will look to do the same in the Eastern Conference finals on the road Friday. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT vs. PIT ($7,700): It wouldn't be surprising to see the star Penguins carrying high ownership percentages, so Anderson has contrarian appeal. Anderson has surrendered just five goals over his past four starts with a .959 save percentage, and the Senators held Pittsburgh to just 5.25 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five through the first three games of the series. This isn't a case where you're taking a leap of faith on a breakout or bounce-back showing, either.
CENTER
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NAS ($5,800): The home-road splits have been notable for Kesler, as the veteran center has collected seven assists through eight home games compared to just a single goal over five road contests. With an affordable salary, Kesler is a high-floor option to target. He's locked into a power-play role with the No. 1 unit, and he's averaged 21:22 of ice time per game during the postseason with 38 shots and 16 blocked shots over 15 games.
Kyle Turris, OTT vs. PIT ($5,000): With an average of 20:47 on the ice during the playoffs (2:35 on the power play), Turris is locked into an offensively tilted roll and is coming off a two-point showing in Game 3. This salary is manageable, and Turris could carry a low ownership with the high-end centers in the player pool garnering most of the attention.
WING
Mike Hoffman, OTT vs. PIT ($5,700): The streaky scorer has posted three goals, an assist and 13 shots through his past five games and is probably underpriced. Hoffman stacks alongside center Kyle Turris for a cost-effective duo that should continue to see soft in-game matchups with the Pittsburgh blue line decimated by injuries. The opportunistic winger has huge upside and can also hit value through his shot volume alone.
Corey Perry, ANA vs. NAS ($5,300): Now up to four goals and 11 points through his past 13 games, Perry is rounding into form. He's been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances among all Ducks during the series against Nashville as he continues to be a nuisance around the Predators' net. Considering Perry's track record in high-stake games, this is a target-worthy salary.
Nick Ritchie, ANA vs. NAS ($3,800): When Rickard Rakell left Game 4, Ritchie climbed up and played with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry for a stretch. Ritchie has registered three goals and 15 shots through his past six games while averaging 15:11 of ice time, and the budding power forward has proven capable of moving up and down the lineup throughout the playoffs. He also provides plenty of cap relief and could be scarcely owned if projected to start the game in a bottom-six role.
DEFENSE
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. NAS ($4,900): The defenseman has provided a significant boost to the Anaheim blue line since returning in Round 2. Through 11 games, Fowler has provided solid scoring and peripheral coverage with eight points, 22 shots and 16 blocked shots while averaging 26:43 of ice time (3:08 with the man advantage). Considering his role and recent form, he should be priced among the top defense options, so this salary checks out as an eye-popping bargain.
Trevor Daley, PIT at OTT ($3,300): After missing four contests with a lower-body, Daley returned to action and posted two shots and a blocked shot over 15:32 of ice time (1:45 on the power play) during Game 3. More minutes should allow Daley to put better peripheral statistics on the board, and he also boasts modest upside. The salary is quite attractive for a player with his skating ability and offensive track record.
