This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. SJ ($8,400) – The series has swung back and forth, and after splitting two games in San Jose the Knights return home where they've been dominant all season. The bad news is that the Sharks seemed to have figured out Fleury after getting shut out in Game 1, scoring 11 goals in the past three games. However, in front of a loud home crowd and with the advantage of having last change, Fleury and the Knights should have the upper hand.
CENTER
William Karlsson, VGK vs. SJ ($7,000) – You had to be skeptical of Karlsson heading into the postseason after an incredible season in which he scored 43 goals on a 23.4 shooting percentage. But it's been the same story in the playoffs, where he's scored four goals and nine points in eight games. Karlsson is the de facto No. 1 center on one of the best teams in the league and well worth the price.
Joe Thornton, SJ at VGK ($3,800) – His status for Game 5 is still up in the air, but if he does dress it'll provide a significant emotional and talent boost for the Sharks. Two things that really work against the future Hall of Famer: he hasn't played since late January, and considering the pace these two teams play at, Thornton is going to have a very, very hard time keeping up. However, when the puck is on his stick his playmaking ability is still elite, so he may be worth the gamble.
WING
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. TB ($4,700) – He's been relatively quiet with just one goal in the series and the Bruins just can't keep relying on their top line. DeBrusk is perfect for the Bruins' style: he's fast, strong and willing to take it to the net. He's registered at least one shot in every game.
Tomas Hertl, SJ at VGK ($4,600) – Because he's not an overly physical player, it's easy to forget Hertl is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. His size is difficult to handle for a Knights defense that isn't particularly big, and he's scored three points in his past three games, logging a lot of minutes and creating a lot of havoc below the hash marks. Despite playing on the wing for most of the games, Hertl's been taking most of the faceoffs and winning a lot of them, which helps the Sharks retain possession and generate scoring chances.
Yanni Gourde, TB at BOS ($4,000) – With the Lightning's top line unable to produce and their second line doing their best Jekyll and Hyde impression, it's their third line that has been a difference maker. Gourde has a point in each game this series and if this keeps up Jon Cooper has no choice but to give them more ice time. The Bruins defense has managed to keep many of the Lightning's top scorers in check, but they're not quite deep enough to shut down all three lines.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SJ at VGK ($6,700) – He had a modest regular season and a ho-hum performance against the Ducks, but in his past three games Burns has scored two goals and three assists. The fast north-south game caters to Burns' style, and even though he has a few defensive lapses he's been generating excellent scoring chances. That will continue because the Knights are highly unlikely to trap anytime soon, giving the Sharks a lot of room to roam.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB at BOS ($3,800) – He continues to get limited ice time except on the power play, but in a series in which both teams have been undisciplined at times, it bodes well for Sergachev when there's a parade to the penalty box. He has two goals and an assist in games in which he's played more than 13 minutes, and while the Bruins know they have to stay disciplined to have a chance at evening up the series, it's clear not everyone gets the memo; the Bruins took 27 penalties and gave the Lightning five power plays in the previous game.
