This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Game 2 between the Canadiens and Golden Knights in Vegas is the only matchup in the NHL on Friday and Yahoo has a single-game contest where you're not position-restricted and can select five players while staying under a $115 salary cap.
Vegas is a small road favorite, so with Montreal being upset kings most of the playoffs, there could be sneaky contrarian potential. Here are a handful of picks and pans from Friday's player pool. The game begins at 9 p.m. EST.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Picks
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at MON ($34): With a .902 save percentage through his past 10 starts, Fleury hasn't been as sharp as he was during the regular season or to begin the postseason. Still, his salary probably isn't prohibitive enough to cross him off your target list. After all, a low-scoring result shouldn't surprise, and saves boost your fantasy-point total the quickest.
Carey Price, MON vs. VGK ($31): Sticking in goal, Price has won eight of his past nine starts with a .934 save percentage and 1.95 GAA. Sure, the Canadiens are underdogs, but they've been overcoming the odds all postseason. Again, this salary probably isn't prohibitive enough.
Alex Pietrangelo, VGK at MON ($23): With a team-high 14 shots and 25 attempts through the first two games of the series, it's tough to look past Pietrangelo. He offers the high-floor, high-ceiling combo worth spending up for in single-game contests with a small player pool.
Jeff Petry, MON vs. VGK ($16): This is a sneaky salary to target. Petry returned to the lineup in Game 2 and registered 9.8 fantasy points over 20:47 of ice time. The veteran blueliner recorded a sixth-ranked 2.02 points per 60 minutes among regular defenseman this season, too.
Artturi Lehkonen, MON vs. VGK ($15): Through five games since climbing the depth chart, Lehkonen has registered 17 shots, 27 attempts and generated a team-high 12 individual high-danger scoring chances. The high-volume shooter is taking advantage of his opportunity in the expanded role.
Josh Anderson, MON vs. VGK ($10): A minimum-salary consideration, Anderson registered a shot and block with a plus-1 rating. Additionally, while his five hits don't count for our fantasy purposes, it's a sign Anderson's heading in the right direction -- even if he hasn't found the scoresheet in 12 games.
Pans
Max Pacioretty, VGK at MON ($34): It's obviously risky fading Pacioretty, but his salary is high, and he probably doesn't have as high a ceiling or floor as the two netminders. Rostering all three means you need to target the bargain bin, and Pacioretty three shots through the first two games -- albeit with an impressive 15 attempts.
Cole Caufield, MON vs. VGK ($17): The rookie has found the scoresheet in consecutive games to start the series, and he's also attempted an impressive 14 shots. Expect the Golden Knights to make adjustments to hold Caulfield in check moving forward, as he's probably the most dangerous scorer on the Canadiens.
