This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Friday's NHL slate consists of the one-game showdown contest between the Wild and Golden Knights at 9:00 p.m. EDT. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
The underdog Wild have erased a 3-1 series deficit by outscoring the Golden Knights 7-2 over the past two games, but Vegas is still favored in this decisive Game 7 on home ice. Vegas holds a 14-11 edge in goals through six games of what's been a low-scoring series, so it's recommended to lock in at least one goalie, if not both.
GOALIES
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. MIN ($11,200): Fleury was on fire to end the regular season and begin this series, allowing two or fewer goals in 13 consecutive games. He has since cooled down, surrendering six goals on just 37 shots over the past two contests, but Fleury still sports a 1.66 GAA and .935 save percentage in this series.
Cam Talbot, MIN at VGK ($10,400): Talbot has a 2.01 GAA and .937 save percentage in this series, including 61 saves on 63 shots over the past two contests and shutouts in Games 1 and 6. He'll likely be the busier of the two goalies, giving Talbot the higher ceiling.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Mark Stone, VGK vs. MIN ($9,800): Stone's usually more of a playmaker, but he's upped his aggressiveness with sniper Max Pacioretty (undisclosed) out of the lineup, leading Vegas in both goals (four) and points (five) in this series. He should be worth paying up for as the focal point of the Golden Knights' offense, both at even strength and with the extra man, and Stone's a strong candidate for your Captain spot if you don't use a goalie there.
Kirill Kaprizov, MIN at VGK ($9,400): Kaprizov's been contained in his first career playoff series, but the standout rookie is an enticing against-the-grain option, as he has the skills to singlehandedly the carry the Wild in this deciding game. He only has a goal and an assist through six games against the Golden Knights but had a 27-24-51 line in 55 regular-season contests, including 11 goals and five assists over the final 13.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Golden Knights vs. Wild
William Karlsson (C - $8,000), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $9,000), Reilly Smith (W - $7,000)
The "misfits line" is the quintessential representation of Golden Knights hockey, as these three cast-offs from their former teams have been with Vegas since the team's inception. They've all experienced plenty of big postseason moments together as a result. In fact, Smith (12-33-45) and Marchessault (16-22-38) are Vegas' top two scorers through the franchise's first 53 playoff games. They're likely to be difference-makers in this winner-take-all scenario, as is Karlsson, whose 1-2-3 line in this series has his playoff line as a member of the Golden Knights at 14-19-33.
Wild at Golden Knights
Ryan Hartman (C - $5,800), Kevin Fiala (W - $8,400), Zach Parise (W - $3,400)
This has been Minnesota's best line in this low-scoring series. Hartman is one of two Wild forwards — along with Joel Eriksson Ek ($7,200) — with multiple goals in this series. Parise has a 1-1-2 line in three games since being inserted into the lineup, as the battle-tested veteran winger has provided a spark. Fiala finally broke out with a goal and an assist in Game 6, and the skilled winger is tied with Eriksson Ek for the team lead in shots this series with 20.
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Dumba, MIN at VGK ($6,400): Dumba's tied with Jordan Greenway ($5,200) and Jonas Brodin ($6,200) for the team points lead in this series at three, and he's capable of chipping in hefty supporting stat totals as well, totaling four shots and eight blocks in Game 2 alone. He's struggled with game-to-game consistency, but Dumba has averaged 23:40 of ice time the last three games and can be a difference-maker at both ends when he's on.
Nick Holden, VGK vs. MIN ($2,000): Holden has given the Golden Knights some surprising offense from the blue line, chipping in three helpers in four appearances this series. He's a great bargain choice to round out your lineup if you want to lock in as many top-tier players as possible. If you have the funds to fit any defenseman, Holden's teammate Alex Pietrangelo ($8,800) — who has put at least four pucks on net in all but one game this series — is the guy to target.
