This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The Stanley Cup Final has moved from Vegas to the District of Columbia, and now it's time for Game 3 on Saturday night. There was as air of mystery leading up to this game, as the status of Evgeny Kuznetsov is uncertain. However, it seems likely that he will play given how things have shaken out.
For Saturday's fantasy contests, you will choose any six players to fill your lineup, and that could include goalies. With the way goals have been racked up through two games, though, you may decide to eschew netminders altogether. Here are my recommendations.
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. VGK ($10,500): After being held scoreless in his first two games after returning from injury, Backstrom has a four-game point streak wherein he's notched six points total. Overall, he has 19 points in 17 playoff games, including 10 on the power play. If Kuznetsov is limited by his injury, Backstrom's minutes should increase, which helps his fantasy potential. Additionally, Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed seven goals through two games in this series.
Reilly Smith, VGK at WAS ($10,000): Smith has 19 points in his last 16 games, including three in this series. He's been consistent as well, as he was only held without a point in three of those contests. During the regular season, the 27-year-old had 22 goals and 38 assists in 67 games as well. Though Braden Holtby has played well in the postseason, he did have a 2.99 GAA and .907 save percentage this year.
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. VGK ($9,600): Over his last seven games Oshie has seven points and 21 shots on net. Through 21 playoff contests, he has 17 points, including nine on the power play. That's after he had 18 points with the extra man in 74 regular-season contests. During the regular season, the Golden Knights ranked 16th in penalty-kill percentage on the road, and they had a 3.00 GAA away from home as well.
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at WAS ($7,400): Well, one of the goalies in this game has to win, and the Golden Knights have been winning at a better clip than the Capitals in this postseason. Though Fleury has struggled a bit to start this series, he still has a 1.88 GAA and .939 save percentage in the playoffs. Two off nights doesn't change everything. Fleury is also slightly cheaper than Braden Holtby ($7,600), which is another reason to opt for Fleury over his counterpart.
Shea Theodore, VGK at WAS ($6,500): This series has started off well for Theodore, as he has a point in both games. He has nine points in the playoffs, and he's also averaged 3:00 per game with the extra man. That helps his fantasy potential. Theodore's good play extends into the regular season, and in his last 27 games he has 18 points and 70 shots on goal.
Andre Burakovsky, WAS vs. VGK ($5,800): The playoffs started poorly for Burakovsky. He got hurt, and he had trouble scoring when he was healthy. However, things have turned around for him considerably recently. The Russian has five points in his last three games. At this price, it's worth seeing if he can stay hot.
