This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Game 1 between the Canadiens and Golden Knights in Vegas is the only matchup in the NHL on Monday, 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 huge home-ice favorite, but Montreal has been an upset specialist all postseason long. Additionally, it's also worth highlighting that seven of the eight most expensive players are Golden Knights. Here are a handful of picks and pans from Monday's player pool. The game begins at 10 p.m. EST.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Picks
Max Pacioretty, VGK vs. MON ($34): Through just seven postseason games, Pacioretty has racked up four goals, four assists, 24 shots, 43 attempts and 11 high-danger scoring chances. The former Montreal captain also might have some added motivation.
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. MON ($32): Considering Montreal has only escorted 16 five-on-five goals through 11 postseason games, Fleury should be positioned to have a strong showing on home ice Monday. He won four straight games to eliminate the Avalanche and boasts a .923 save percentage and 1.91 GAA during the playoffs.
Cole Caufield, MON at VGK ($15): The rookie is finding his way in the postseason, and while probably still more of a contrarian target, Caufield finished the Winnipeg series strong with two assists, 13 shots and 18 attempts through the final three games.
Artturi Lehkonen, MON at VGK ($14): A promotion to the "No. 1" line with Phillip Danault ($12) and Brendan Gallagher ($17), has given Lehkonen a huge fantasy value boost. The Finn has piled up three points, 11 shots and eight individual high-danger scoring chances through the past three games, after all.
Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. MON ($15): It's been a quiet postseason for Stephenson with just five assists through 13 games, and he didn't find the scoresheet once during Round 2 against Colorado. However, there's been a bit of poor puck luck, as Stephenson has been on the ice for 40 high-danger scoring chances and has attempted 28 shots without a goal. He's also a solid stack candidate with wingers Max Pacioretty ($34) and Mark Stone ($30).
Josh Anderson, MON at VGK ($10): The point drought is up to 10 games, and Anderson checks out at a contest-minimum salary. Considering he's fourth on the Canadiens in shot attempts during the regular season and had a respectable 13.6 shooting percentage during the regular season, the 27-year-old winger is one of the better bets from his salary range.
Pans
Carey Price, MON at VGK ($29): The Golden Knights went 24-5-1 on home ice during the regular season and have also won five of seven home games during the playoffs. Price has been outstanding during his active seven-game winning streak with a .943 save percentage and 1.64 GAA, but he should still be considered a risky start given the odds and how well Vegas has played on home ice.
William Karlsson, VGK vs. MON ($23): The most expensive center in the player pool enters in excellent form with three tallies, five helpers and 15 shots through the past seven games, and Karlsson's found the scoresheet in six of those contests. His 20.0 shooting percentage during the stretch is high compared to his 11.6 mark over the past two regular seasons, though, and as noted, Carey Price ($29) has been solid in net for the Canadiens.
Shea Weber, MON at VGK ($17): With his salary creeping up, Weber's riskier than he was just a few games ago. Expect the veteran defenseman to play tough minutes against Vegas' top forwards, which definitely increases his plus-minus risk. Weber still offers a respectable fantasy floor with three assists, 17 shots and 10 blocks through the past six contests.
