This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS at PIT ($7,600): It would just be a very Caps thing to lose and make it difficult for themselves by forcing a Game 7 back in Washington, but momentum is clearly on their side and Matt Murray hasn't been dominant at home in the playoffs like he was during the season. Holtby has gone 7-2 since becoming the starter again, and whatever struggles he had during the season are clearly behind him.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. WAS ($7,800): He's scored five points in the past three games and the Pens' backs are against the wall. It's not unfamiliar territory for the team, and what they have going for them is the league's best player; the Pens must lean on their captain, and there's plenty of past evidence that Crosby can deliver. The only worry, however, is Mike Sullivan's usage of his star, as he is averaging less ice time during the playoffs than usual and almost every other No. 1 center is playing more.
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. NSH ($7,000): The Jets can close out the series on home ice and Scheifele has been a consistent force on their top line, already scoring nine goals in the playoffs. Scheifele and Blake Wheeler have run the show, but now that the third member of their line – Kyle Connor – is starting to prove his worth, the trio have been nearly unstoppable. The vaunted Preds defense just can't seem to contain them and has been chasing them all over the ice.
WING
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. WAS ($6,100): Hornqvist finished Game 5 with a minus-4 rating but he's scored two goals and an assist in his past three games. Goals haven't always come easy for the Pens in this series, but Hornqvist has a knack for scoring the difficult ones. He scored the Cup-winner last year on a bounce off the boards, and the Caps are expected to play a tight defensive game and give Holtby a lot of help. Hornqvist is one of the few Pens forwards who can take the punishment in front of the net and score.
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. NSH ($5,100): Connor was excellent with three points in Game 5, scoring his first two goals of the playoffs after being a spectator for most of the series. Now that he's producing the Preds will have an even tougher time keeping the Jets off the board. Scheifele and Wheeler's ability to create space bodes well for Connor, who gets more time and space to dangle.
Brandon Tanev, WPG vs. NSH ($4,000): The speedy winger has been a thorn in the Preds' side all playoffs, and in 10 games has already scored four goals, which is half of his total output from the regular season in 61 games. Everyone knew the Jets' top six was formidable, but Tanev's line has given the Jets another wrinkle to their offense. As mobile as Nashville's defense may be, Tanev's speed is near the top of the league.
DEFENSE
P.K. Subban, NSH at WPG ($5,500): He'll surely hear the boos in Winnipeg, but one of Subban's signature qualities is that he plays better when all the attention – positive or negative – is on him. In Games 3 and 4 in Winnipeg, Subban scored a goal in both games, and the spotlight won't get any hotter than with the Preds facing elimination. Subban has been the Predators' most productive defenseman in the playoff with Roman Josi registering just two assists and a minus-5 rating in 11 games.
Justin Schultz, PIT vs. WAS ($4,100): Truth be told, he probably deserves to run the top power-play unit over Kris Letang, who has struggled. Schultz has five apples in this series and even though Tom Wilson will not take part there's no love lost between these two teams. If the Pens get a few power plays, Schultz could have a productive night.
