This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
FanDuel has two-day contests consisting of the Game 5 matchups in both conference finals. Anaheim tied its series with a road win in Nashville on Thursday, and the Penguins did the same Friday. No team has won consecutive games in either series, but that could change with the Ducks and Penguins back on home ice. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. OTT ($8,400): Now entrenched as the No. 1 starter for the Penguins again, Murray is a go-to option for Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena. He is 17-3-2 with a .924 save percentage on home ice during the regular season, and led Pittsburgh to a championship with a .923 save percentage and 2.08 GAA last spring. It's also worth noting that the Penguins were 31-6-4 at home during the regular season with a 5-3 record in the playoffs.
CENTER
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. NAS ($5,100): Home ice has been kind to Kesler during the postseason, as he's registered seven helpers through eight home games and just a single goal over five road outings. This is a manageable cap hit, and Kesler provides a high fantasy floor. He's logging 21:22 of ice time per game with top power-play minutes, and the center also moves the needle in the peripheral categories with 38 shots and 16 blocked shots through 15 games.
Calle Jarnkrok, NAS at ANA ($3,200): The likely top-line replacement with Ryan Johansen (hip) out for the remainder of the postseason, Jarnkrok receives a significant fantasy boost. It's probably a promotion out of his weight class, but Jarnkrok can easily return value at this salary while also opening up oodles of cap relief. Don't forget, Jarnkrok went on an impressive midseason run with 15 points through 19 games while averaging 18:01 of ice time, so he's stepped up in the past.
WING
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. NAS ($6,500): After scoring in each of the first two games of the series (at home), Silfverberg has been held off the scoresheet in the last two. He stacks with center Ryan Kelser to form a cost-effective duo, and Silfverberg still has an impressive nine goals, 13 points and 57 shots through 15 postseason games. Additionally, nine of those 13 points have come at the Honda Center.
Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. OTT ($5,600): The rookie finally hit the scoresheet for the first time of the series in Game 4 with two assists, and he's now up to nine goals and seven helpers through 16 playoff contests. Guentzel's salary doesn't match that production nor his sky-high upside skating alongside Sidney Crosby. Additionally, the freshman has been rolling with the No. 1 power-play unit with Patric Hornqvist (upper body) on the shelf.
Corey Perry, ANA vs. NAS ($5,600): The veteran winger has been on the ice for the most high-danger scoring chances of all Ducks through the first four games of the series, and he's also up to 11 points through his last 13 games. He's heating up, and considering his resume is chocked full of championships, this salary is likely a little low. He's a big-game player, and Anaheim can grab a stranglehold of the series with a win.
DEFENSE
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. NAS ($5,200): Since entering the lineup in Round 2, Fowler has provided a significant boost for the Anaheim blue line. He's delivered offense and solid peripheral coverage with eight points, 22 shots and 16 blocked shots while logging 26:43 of ice time (3:08 on the power play) through 11 games. This salary doesn't jive with his excellent play or hefty role, either, so Fowler is close to lineup-lock territory.
Trevor Daley, PIT vs. OTT ($3,200): After easing back into action in Game 3, Daley logged 23:03 of ice time Friday, which included 2:32 quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. He registered two shots and two blocked shots in Game 4, which is a modest fantasy return at this salary. Obviously, his role with the top power-play unit provides significant upside.
