This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Lightning have to win one of the next four games to secure their second straight Stanley Cup. Last year, they won it in front of an empty arena in the Toronto bubble; they have an opportunity to win it this year in front of a less-than-full Montreal arena this year. They're favored (-160) to win tonight. Though the Canadiens have shown a considerable amount of fight, the Lightning are clearly the better team and Vasilevskiy the better goalie. Another boat parade in Tampa Bay could be on the horizon.
CAPTAIN
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at MON ($16,200): While Carey Price has seemingly burned out after carrying the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final, Vasilevskiy hasn't faltered, registering a .948 save percentage while facing at least 35 shots in each of the last two games. The Bolts are still the better team, and Vasilevskiy is still the best goalie in the world. He has put together a shutout in each elimination game thus far as well, which simply adds icing to the cake. Feel
FLEXES
Tyler Johnson, TB at MON ($3,800): Johnson is a diamond in the rough. The 32-year-old was a buyout/trade candidate last fall and was waived in October, but now he's playing a prominent role in the top six, scoring twice in Game 3 after posting an assist in Game 2. He ranks fourth on the team this series with 2.6 xGF/60 at even strength, but he commands a bottom-six salary.
Steven Stamkos, TB at MON ($8,400): Stamkos played just one game during the Lightning's Stanley Cup run last year due to injury, so you can bet that he's ready to make an impact with a chance for his second Stanley Cup on the line. The 31-year-old has just one goal and five shots on net this series, but he's lining up with Johnson and accruing similar analytics as a result. He's due after putting up 17 points -- 11 with the man advantage -- through the first 18 postseason contests.
Nikita Kucherov, TB at MON ($10,600): Brayden Point ($10,000) appears to have a higher ceiling with 14 goals through 23 games, but Kucherov leads the team in points with 32 (eight goals) through 21 games, including three goals and two helpers this series. You'll get extra value out of a stack, too, because he and Stamkos both man PP1.
Anthony Cirelli, TB at MON ($5,800): Cirelli rounds out the second-line stack with Johnson and Stamkos, and he'll join PP1, too. The 23-year-old doesn't provide much of a floor with just five shots on net through six games, but we're going for the ceiling here. He features plenty of potential with six points in as many games.
Blake Coleman, TB at MON ($4,400): Coleman carries a three-game point streak into Monday's Game 4. Of course, he took an easy empty-netter Friday, but that was only after suffering a tough back injury in the first period. He's nonetheless been quite impressive this series and all playoffs, and he comes at a bargain right now.
