This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
DraftKings has showdown contests for Game 3 between Washington and Tampa Bay. There are six flex lineup slots to fill while staying under the $50,000 salary cap, and it's important to note the scoring settings are different.
One strategy to consider is using both goalies and the top-line centers from both teams. The goaltenders are cheaper than the high-priced skaters, and faceoff wins are rewarded.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS ($11,200): The center's five-game point streak has him up to eight goals and 11 assists through 14 playoff contests, and he's also improved his shot rate to 9.7 shots per 60 minutes compared to the 7.55 mark he posted during the regular season. Kuznetsov's 3.79 points per hour leads the Caps, and he's also easier to fit under the salary cap than linemate Alex Ovechkin.
Steven Stamkos, TB ($10,800): Not only is Stamkos scoring at better than a point-per-game pace during the postseason, he's also marked the scoresheet in 10 of 12 outings, including five straight. With the season all but mathematically on the line, the Lightning captain will need to be at his best.
Braden Holtby, WAS ($7,700): Sporting a four-game winning streak and victorious in 10 of 12 postseason starts, Holtby has clearly found his game after a discouraging slide to end the regular season. He owns an elite .931 career playoff save percentage and hasn't surrendered more than three goals since taking over the Washington crease in Game 3 of Round 1.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB ($7,000): After being pulled following the second period of Game 1, Vasilevskiy allowed six goals through 60 minutes in Sunday's loss. With Tampa Bay down 2-0 in the series, expect the Lightning to be at their best with the stakes at their highest. It's also worth noting that Vasilevskiy is just two games removed from winning eight of 10 playoff starts with a .927 save percentage.
J.T. Miller, TB ($6,900): Without a point through the first two games of the series, look for Miller to rebound. He's been on the ice for 4.88 goals and 13.2 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes during the playoffs, including 5.49 and 12.82 marks against Washington, so failing to mark the scoresheet during this series has been a bit unlucky.
Tom Wilson, WAS ($6,300): Most of the headlines surrounding Wilson during the postseason have been about his questionable hits, and playing with Evegny Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin has also overshadowed his play. With three goals, six assists and 25 shots through 11 playoff games, Wilson checks out as a solid value at this price.
