This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Wednesday is going to be a little different for you daily fantasy hockey players out there. Since there is only one game on the slate, Game 7 between the Maple Leafs and Bruins, the contests are being done differently. You pick three forwards, two defensemen, and a "captain." The captain's points are worth 150 percent of everybody else's points. What I've decided to do is pick a full lineup.
Here's what I would go with in such a competition…
CAPTAIN
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. TOR ($11,400): The Bruins had a 2.54 GAA at home this season, so I hesitate to consider a Maple Leaf for the captain spot. In the first two games of this series, Marchand had six points. Since then he only has one, but he's stayed active. In his last four games he's put 13 shots on net. He also managed a whopping 85 points in 68 regular-season contests. You want a big-time forward in the captain spot, and I like Marchand for the role.
FORWARD
Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. TOR ($11,000): In the first two games of this series, both at home, Bergeron had five points. He hasn't scored since then, and actually missed a game with an injury, but he has 11 shots on net in two contests since returning. Plus, the reliable center had 30 goals and 63 points in 64 games during the regular season. The Maple Leafs allowed 33.9 shots on net per contest this year, and that number has risen to 34.8 in the playoffs. If Frederik Andersen doesn't stand on his head on the road, the Bruins are going to score.
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. TOR ($8,800): DeBrusk started 70.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Bruins. He's also been solid all series long, as he has a point in five of the six games in this series. Meanwhile, over his last 29 games, Frederik Andersen has a 3.22 GAA and .909 save percentage.
Tomas Plekanec, TOR at BOS ($7,400): Plekanec has surprisingly stepped up in this series, as he has four points in his last four games. He's also earned bigger minutes, as he's averaged 16:18 in ice time during those contests. Tuukka Rask had a .917 save percentage this season, but in this series that has dropped to .909.
DEFENSEMEN
Morgan Rielly, TOR at BOS ($8,400): Rielly has racked up five assists in this series, and in his final 15 regular-season games, he tallied 15 helpers. He's pretty clearly established himself as Toronto's best defenseman, and only Torey Krug can claim similar offensive skills. Additionally, Rielly had 25 power-play points in 76 games. If the Bruins get into penalty trouble, the 24-year-old could take advantage.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. TOR ($7,600): McAvoy hadn't been the same since returning from injury. In 10 games, he only has one point, although that came in this series. However, the minutes have still been there for the rookie, as he's averaged 22:35 in ice time since rejoining the lineup. He's a top-pair defenseman, and literally only four players available Wednesday can say that. I like the potential upside of the impressive rookie more than most other options.
