The second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs brings us a couple of high quality series that begin on Friday with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Minnesota Wild and the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning will face the probability of a letdown spot at Montreal after having to go the distance in their breathtaking seven game win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadiens will be well rested and mentally sharp compared to the Lighting, who expended a considerable amount of physical effort and mental capital to rally from a 3-2 deficit to escape the upset against Detroit.
We’ll have plenty of Montreal players in our Friday lineup with Fan Duel prices.
C – Jonathan Toews – Chicago
Toews opened at $8,500. The Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild with a starting time of 9:30 p.m. ET and coverage on NBCSN and SN. Toews is a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate for playoff Most Valuable Player and had a brilliant opening round with three goals, five assists and a plus-two. Captain Serious is among the most consistent players in the game and enjoyed a productive regular season with 28 goals, 38 assists and a whopping plus-30.
RW – Jason Pominville – Minnesota
Pominville opened at $7,800. Pominville had a strong playoff series in the first round with two goals, three assists and a plus-two. Pominville had a good regular season with 18 goals and 36 assists. With his strong performance in the opening round and with his consistency through the years we like Pominville as a bargain value that can make a difference.
LW – Max Pacioretty – Montreal
Pacioretty opened at $8,600. The Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning with a starting time of 7 p.m. ET and coverage on CBC and NBCSN. Pacioretty was the Canadiens top offensive weapon in the regular season with 37 goals, 30 assists and a stellar plus-38. He came into the playoffs after a concussion issue that put him out of the lineup at the end of the regular season and in game one of the first round against the Ottawa Senators. Pacioretty had two goals in the first round and brings plenty of upside for much more in the second round. If Montreal is to get past Tampa Bay, they will need maximum production from their left wing.
D – P.K. Subban – Montreal
Subban opened at $8,000. Subban is a Norris Trophy level defenseman that had 15 goals and 45 assists with a plus-21 during the regular season. He had one goal and three assists in the first round of the playoffs with a plus-one. Most of all, he brings a complete game with his nuclear bomb slap shot from the point, good playmaking ability, strong physical presence and a big game personality.
D – Marco Scandella – Minnesota
Scandella opened at $5,500. Scandella had a strong first round for the Wild with two goals, one assist and a plus-five. Scandella showed good offensive promise in the regular season with 11 goals, 12 assists and a plus-eight in 64 games. Keep an eye on Scandella to emerge as one of the better rearguards in the future as he brings plenty of upside at the age of 25.
G – Carey Price – Montreal
Price opened at $9,200 and remains the best goaltender in the NHL, as shown by a strong opening round in the playoffs with a save percentage of .939 and one shutout. He has a 1.94 goals against average in post season. Price demonstrated consistent excellence during the regular season with a save percentage of .933 and a 1.96 goals against average. It is rare to have a goalie be in the running for the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player but Price is in the mix and deservedly so.
Sleeper – Ryan Suter – Minnesota
Suter opened at $4,000. After signing a huge contract three years ago, Suter has been a consistent force on Minnesota’s blue line and finally looks to lead the Wild to a long playoff run. He is still a strong playmaking defenseman that had 36 assists in the regular season. Suter was quiet in the first round of the playoffs with just one assist and a minus-three but we expect much better numbers against the Blackhawks.
