This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Winnipeg Jets are headed to Montreal to try and secure their first win against the Canadiens. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are trying to even up their series with the Avalanche before they have to head back to Denver. Sunday's NHL action kicks off at 6:00 p.m. ET. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. WPG ($7,900): I feel a little odd recommending a goalie who had a .901 save percentage during the regular season. However, in the playoffs Price has looked decidedly better. The goalie with a Vezina in his trophy case has a 2.08 GAA and .935 save percentage. Winnipeg ranks fourth in shots on net per game of these four teams, and Montreal only allowed 28.2 shots on net per contest. Throw in Mark Scheifele being suspended and I guess I'm buying in on Price right now.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Mark Stone, VGK vs. COL ($5,900): In each of the last two seasons Stone has tallied 17 power-play points, and he did that in only 55 games this year. Colorado had the eighth-ranked penalty kill, which is definitely good, but not as good as Vegas' top-ranked penalty kill. Stone plays a ton of minutes, and he had a four-game point streak against the Wild in the first round.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at MON ($5,800): Just because you are going with a goaltender doesn't mean you can avoid players facing them when there are only four teams in action. Since returning from injury, Ehlers has three points and 14 shots on goal in four games. Also, during the regular season the Dane had 13 power-play points in 47 contests. The Canadiens had the 23rd-ranked penalty kill, and though Price has been great in the playoffs that's not encouraging to say the least.
LINE STACK TO CONSIDER
Canadiens vs. Jets: Nick Suzuki (C - $5,700), Tyler Toffoli (W - $6,300), Cole Caufield (W - $5,000)
With Price playing so well, Connor Hellebuyck might be the goalie to target. After all, he had a .916 save percentage this season, though like all four of these goalies he's picked up his play in the postseason. Also, the Jets allowed 30.6 shots on net per contest, which was second most among playoff teams. Montreal's first line is more about shutting down opposing top lines, which leaves the second line to shoulder the offensive load.
Suzuki had 41 points in 71 games as a rookie, and had 41 points again this year, but in only 56 games. He also had a four-game point streak end in Game 2, but that means he's been hot recently. Toffoli tallied 28 goals in 52 games, and while he was a little cold on the goal-scoring front heading into the playoffs, he now has a goal in three of his last four outings. That includes scoring the only goal in Game 2. Caufield is a rookie known for his shot and his scoring prowess. He notched four goals on 30 shots on net in 10 regular-season games. The talk was he was a little hesitant to shoot here in the playoffs, but he just put five shots on net in his last game so maybe he's getting comfortable.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL at VGK ($6,200): It's never a bad thing to have a piece of Colorado's incredible top power-play unit. Makar gives you that on your blue line. He had 22 power-play points during the regular season in 44 games. Now, you might note that the Golden Knights had the top penalty kill this season. I actually said that earlier. Well that hasn't stopped Makar from notching a power-play point in all three games in this series. Like I said, the Avalanche have an amazing power play.
Shea Weber, Mon vs. WPG ($5,000): Weber was having trouble scoring early in the playoffs, but he was staying active. The veteran defenseman has 25 shots on goal and 13 blocked shots in nine playoff games. Now, Weber has an assist in both games in this series. He's averaged 25:26 in ice time in the postseason, and the 35-year-old seems to have found a bit of the Fountain of Youth.
