The Monday Night fantasy lineup will be more diverse than normal as the Stanley Cup playoffs remain the best post season in all of professional sports because of their unpredictability. The pressure is on with a winner take all game seven as well as a big favorite facing elimination in the Tampa Bay Lightning. We’ll use Fan Duel Kings prices.
C – John Tavares – New York Islanders
Tavares opened at $9,500. The Islanders are at the Washington Capitals for a decisive game seven of their series. Faceoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage on NBCSN. We are bullish on the Islander captain in tonight’s game seven win or lose. Tavares has been the kingpin of the Islanders all season long and has been solid in the playoffs with two goals, four assists and a plus-three. Tavares is a bona fide Hart Trophy candidate for NHL Most Valuable Player and can be counted on as a potential difference maker in the biggest Islander game in years.
RW – Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay
Kucherov opened at $5,200. Tampa Bay is at the Detroit Red Wings with a starting time of 7 p.m. ET and coverage on CBC and CNBC. The Red Wings lead the best of seven series 3-2 and can clinch on home ice. The Lightning are in trouble and facing elimination and Kucherov has been a big reason as to why they are in this jam. Kucherov scored 28 goals and 36 assists in the regular season with an insane plus-38 but has registered just one assist with a plus-two in the playoffs. If Tampa Bay is to force a game seven it will be because Kucherov gets into gear.
LW – Alexander Ovechkin -Washington
Ovechkin opened at $9,800. The Great Eight had the best and most complete regular season of his career but it all comes down to game seven against the Islanders as to whether the Caps season will be considered a potential success or another letdown scenario. Ovechkin has two goals, two assists with a minus-four. After playing at a plus-10 in the regular season we expect Ovechkin to tighten up on the back check for head coach Barry Trotz, who was hired as coach for precisely this type of game. Trotz brings a more structured and disciplined approach to the game that is perfectly suited for playoff success.
D – Johnny Boychuk – New York Islanders
Boychuk opened at $5,000. Boychuk was one of the top pickups that any general manager made in trades this year. Islander General Manager Garth Snow pulled off a heist when he acquired Boychuk from the Boston Bruins, which helped cost former Bruin General Manager Peter Chiarelli his job. Boychuk had nine goals and 26 assists with a plus-26 in the regular season and has two assists with a plus-one in the playoffs so far. While his numbers are modest his presence and potential for a big game seven are not.
D – Niklas Kronwall – Detroit
Kronwall opened at $4.000. Kronwall has been relatively quiet in the playoffs so far with just one assist after a regular season in which he scored nine goals and 35 assists in the regular season. Should Detroit close out the Bolts tonight there is a good chance that Kronwall will play a part.
G – Braden Holtby – Washington
Holtby opened at $9,300. Washington was our pick to win the Eastern Conference and Holtby is a big reason as to why we stepped out on the Caps. Holtby has a .945 save percentage with a 1.75 goals against average in the playoffs. We are betting the come that Holtby delivers the goods in a pressure packed game that will further enhance his credibility with teammates and fantasy owners for a deep post season run.
Sleeper – Brock Nelson – New York Islanders
Nelson opened at $4,400. Nelson has two goals and a plus-one so far in the playoffs after scoring 22 goals and 22 assists during the regular season with a plus-six. Often times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, especially in a game seven, it is players such as Nelson that can make the difference as unsung heroes.
