This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at SJ ($40): Don't pin the Knights' first playoff loss on Fleury; he's been excellent so far and the Knights would've won had their goal in overtime counted. He faced 47 shots in Game 2 and in the series has a .950 save percentage. He's been the Knights' MVP, and despite going on the road for the next two games, it bears mentioning that Fleury's been better on the road than at home this season.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. BOS ($37): He was very good in Game 1 after getting a week's rest, but in Game 2 allowed five goals on 23 shots. Fatigue was a factor in his poor finish to the season, and perhaps it's still affecting his play. If Vasilevskiy's tired, it doesn't bode well for the Lightning's chances, and even with the addition of Ryan McDonagh they haven't been able to stop their opposition's best players from scoring in bunches.
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CENTER
Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. BOS ($14): Cirelli is a high-reward option because he's earned a reputation for scoring big goals during his major junior career. He went from undrafted zero to Memorial Cup hero in the OHL, and if the Lightning want to avoid a 0-2 hole in the series, Cirelli is a good candidate to score a key goal in what should be a much closer game than Game 1. He's earned Jon Cooper's trust, so the only risk is that Cirelli may get very little ice time if both Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos have dominant games.
Tyler Johnson, TB vs. BOS ($13): He's gone four games without a point and finished at minus-3 in Game 1, so he's an attractive option if only because of the price. The Lightning have opted to bolster their second line with Johnson playing alongside the underrated Point, and in general the pair had been very good together up until the series opener against the Bruins. Given how competitive Johnson and Point are, it's reasonable to expect them to play much better in Game 2, though exactly how much better remains to be seen.
CENTERS TO AVOID
Brayden Point, TB vs. BOS ($21): He's generally very good, but after seeing his line get dominated by Patrice Bergeron, it'd be wise to stay away at this price, especially with the Bruins having last change on home ice. The Leafs figured out how to limit the Bruins' top line, and after a shellacking in Game 1 the Lightning will have to prove they're just as good at making adjustments, too.
Cody Eakin, VGK at SJ ($13): He's scored twice in his past four games, but Eakin is a checking center who gets very little opportunities to generate offense. He's been held to just one shot this series and sits behind William Karlsson and Erik Haula on the depth chart. He's been playing well, but don't expect him to play a big role on offense.
WING
Evander Kane, SJ vs. VGK ($23): Hulk smash! After a frustrating Game 1 and serving a suspension for Game 2, Kane should be well-rested and ready to explode in Game 3. He's at his best when he's engaged in the play, whether it's carrying the puck to the net or making big hits, and after arriving from the Sabres has really shown that his style is much more effective in the Western Conference. The Sharks offense has peppered the Knights with shots, and with Kane back in the lineup it should be more effective.
Logan Couture, SJ vs. VGK ($21): In two games against the Knights, Couture has registered 13 shots on goal when he had just nine in the entire series against the Ducks. He was the overtime hero in Game 2 and has stepped up his play in the second round. Couture is not known for his skating, but once they create turnovers Couture's excellent in jumping up in the play and finding open seams.
Jake DeBrusk, BOS at TB ($19): It's been a breakout playoffs for DeBrusk, who has scored in three straight games and showed flashes of first-line talent. Unlike his father, DeBrusk has the skill to go with his toughness and his confidence must be sky high. He's provided depth scoring for the Bruins, especially when their top line gets shut out.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Reilly Smith, VGK at SJ ($22): He had just one shot on goal despite playing nearly 30 minutes in Game 2, and even though he's a three-time 20-goal scorer he seems more content passing the puck. If that's the case, you are better off picking a more trigger-happy winger such as James Neal ($19), as the Knights' strategy so far has been to throw everything on net.
Ondrej Palat, TB vs. BOS ($19): Palat was an ugly minus-4 in Game 2 even though he managed to get five shots on net. As a whole, the Lightning's second line had no answer after being tasked to go against Bergeron, and it's now been five games since Palat's scored a goal. He's an excellent two-way winger but the unit's scoring – if any – is more likely to come from more creative linemates Johnson and Point.
David Backes, BOS at TB ($15): He's a third-line player at this point in his career and even though he remains effective, he's not counted on to provide a lot of offense. His physical presence is his biggest asset, and when he's planted in front of the net it allows his teammates to create better scoring chances. He doesn't get to touch the puck much and the Lightning are quite disciplined, which also limits Backes' power-play opportunities.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK at SJ ($19): Special teams ended up being the difference in Game 2, which means Theodore could end up being the hero sooner or later. The smooth skater has a goal and an assist in two games this series and continues to be the Knights' preferred option on the power play. He may not have the best point shot, but his ability to control the puck makes him an effective playmaker.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. BOS ($15): He continues to get limited minutes, but he's scored in back-to-back games thanks to his big shot. The impressive rookie is buried behind a glut of veterans so ice time is hard to come by, but at least he's managed to stay in the lineup. When there are scoring opportunities, the Lightning aren't afraid to use him. Another good thing about Sergachev is that he usually plays against third or fourth lines, making his job that much easier.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Victor Hedman, TB vs. BOS ($26): He registered a point in Game 1 but will mostly be concentrating on containing the Bruins offense. He scored 62 points during the season, including 26 on the power play, but his focus hasn't been on offense and over the past three games the Lightning have scored just eight goals.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs. VGK ($17): Vlasic blocked nine shots in Game 2, a valiant effort in a gutsy win, but he continues to make very little impact on offense. He has just two assists in the playoffs, leaving the scoring to Brent Burns while he tries to contain the Knights offense. Scoring against Fleury isn't easy, either, which hurts Vlasic's fantasy value even more.
