This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS at COL ($8,000): The Jets are already resting and waiting to face the winner of this series in Round 2, so a strong performance from Rinne and the Preds to advance shouldn't surprise. Nashville has dominated possession with a 54.07 Corsi For percentage while holding the Avs to just 9.18 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. Additionally, Rinne has been solid the past two games after looking shaky to start the postseason.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT at PHI ($7,700): With five goals, five assists and 5.95 points per 60 minutes, the Flyers haven't found an answer for No. 87 through the first five games of this series. Crosby projects to be a popular target from this shallow player pool, but it's hard to ignore his current form and postseason track record (1.14 points per game during his careeer).
Valtteri Filppula, PHI vs. PIT ($3,700): Trailing a breakout, three-point showing in Game 5 could pay off at this salary. Filppula's value is on the rise after being promoted to a top-line role between Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek -- the best wingers on the Flyers. The veteran Finn has 157 games of playoff experience, so the moment won't be too big for him, either
WING
Filip Forsberg, NAS at COL ($6,700): It's been a strong start to the postseason for Forsberg. He's driven possession with a 56.2 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five while collecting three goals, two assists and 20 shots through five contests. As noted, Nashville has a lot of incentive to end this series and grab extra rest with Winnipeg waiting in Round 2.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. PIT ($5,300): The Czech has a respectable three assists and 10 shots through the first five games of the series, but considering he's been on the ice for 14.85 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, Voracek's probably underachieved to a degree. He skated with Claude Giroux in Game 5, and considering the long-standing chemistry the duo has, the line juggle should be viewed as a boost for both. During the regular season they combined for 6.55 goals and 21.58 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, after all. Plus, this salary is a gift.
Carl Hagelin, PIT at PHI ($4,200): After a multi-point showing in Game 1, Hagelin has missed the scoresheet in each of the past four contests. He continues to skate with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel at even strength, so the Swede is positioned to return value on his manageable salary. Just note that Hagelin has a low fantasy floor because he doesn't attempt many shots -- just 7.46 per 60 minutes.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT at PHI ($5,600): Both Letang and Justin Schultz have been seeing time on the No. 1 power-play unit, but late in Game 5, it was Letang who quarterbacked the top group. The 30-year-old defenseman has recorded a respectable four points, 10 shots and 10 blocked shots during the series, and his salary isn't prohibitive, so he's a strong lean.
P.K. Subban, NAS at COL ($5,300): With just two assists through five games, including four pointless showings, Subban is a ripe candidate for positive offensive regression. He's been a possession monster with a 60.12 Corsi For percentage and continues to receive plenty of power-play looks (2:43 per contest). Remember, he's also coming off one of the best regular seasons of his career.
