This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
On Saturday, you can play daily fantasy hockey with players from Game 1 between Vegas and Winnipeg and Game 2 between Washington and Tampa Bay. It will be very interesting to see who gets the win in that first game between the Jets and Golden Knights, but that's not relevant to your fantasy lineup. Perhaps these recommendations will be.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. VGK ($8,000): During the regular season, Hellebuyck posted a 2.36 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. His numbers have actually improved in the playoffs, with a 2.25 GAA and .927 save percentage. The Golden Knights have scored 2.90 goals per game in the playoffs, but that's the worst of the four remaining teams.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at TAM ($7,200): Kuznetsov is currently riding a four-game point streak after tallying two points in Game 1. So far in the postseason, he's tallied 16 points in 13 contests. Andrei Vasilevskiy has performed well in the playoffs, but was pulled in the series opener.
Paul Stastny, WPG vs. VGK ($5,800): Stastny was outstanding against the Predators, notching five goals and five assists in seven games. Meanwhile, he's struck for 17 points in his last 17 contests. Marc-Andre Fleury has been great, but the Golden Knights have given up 34.4 shots on net per contest in the playoffs and sport a 3.00 GAA on the road.
WING
Reilly Smith, VGK at WPG ($5,800): Vegas' top line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Smith has exceled all year. As for Smith himself, he's tallied 10 points in his last nine games. Only one of them is a goal, but his 5.0 shooting percentage could easily improve. Even though Connor Hellebuyck has played well, that's true of every goalie still alive in the postseason. If Vegas scores, it wouldn't be a surprise if Smith's line plays a part.
T.J. Oshie, WAS at TAM ($5,500): Both of Oshie's points in Game 1 came on the power play. That gives him eight points with the extra man in the postseason. During the regular season, Oshie averaged 3:22 per game on the power play and had 18 points. His success could continue, as the Lightning slumped to the 27th-ranked penalty kill this year.
Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. WAS ($5,200): Palat had some struggles in an injury-hindered regular season, but has bounced back with four goals and an assist in his last five contests – including a goal in the first game of this series. The Capitals, meanwhile, underachieved on the road with a 3.29 GAA this year.
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson, WAS vs. TAM ($5,900): Carlson enjoyed a tremendous regular season, notching 15 goals on 237 shots and added 53 assists for good measure. He's been incredibly active in the playoffs, with 43 shots on net in 13 outings. In addition to Andrei Vasilevskiy getting pulled in Game 1, the Lightning sported a 3.36 GAA on the road after the All-Star break.
Colin Miller, VGK at WPG ($4,300): Miller started 61.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Golden Knights. He also averaged 2:27 per game with the extra man, a number that has climbed to 3:20 per contest during the playoffs. The scoring hasn't quite been there in the postseason, but he's still getting the favorable positioning. At this price, he'll pay off big time if he finds his way on the score sheet.
