DraftKings outlook: Predators at Sharks, Game 7

NOTE: Player prices are for two-game contests spanning Wednesday, May 11 (one game) and Thursday, May 12 (one game).
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE:
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators ($6,400)
It's a testament to the Predators' depth and strong defense that they have gotten this deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with such little production from Forsberg. He has four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 postseason games and has been limited to one goal and no assists in six games against the San Jose Sharks with a negative plus-minus in each game. Luckily, plus-minus doesn't factor into DraftKings scoring, and Forsberg's high shot-on-goal volume can pad his output if/when he breaks out of his slump. He has at least three SOG in each of the six games this series. After playing most of the season on a line with center Mike Ribeiro, the Predators have moved Ryan Johansen to his line in the hopes of sparking Forsberg, their regular-season scoring leader (64 points).

STEADY PERFORMER:
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks ($5,000)
Vlasic hasn't had a SOG in consecutive games, but that hasn't impacted his DraftKings value. He has assists in four straight games with 12 blocks in that span. He's averaging 4.0 DraftKings points in his past 10 games with six assists, 32 blocks and 23 SOG. His even-strength chemistry with Justin Braun and the Sharks' forward group has been on full display, and his power-play usage on the second unit should not be overlooked. His 24:19 of ice time per game ranks 13th among players with at least eight games played this postseason.

VALUE PICK:
Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators ($3,200)
Speaking of the Forsberg-Johansen line, Arvidsson has rounded out that unit with relentless work on each end of the ice. He scored his first career postseason goal on a beautiful backhand shot in overtime of Game 6 to push this series to the limit, but has flown under the radar with 11 blocks and 13 SOG in six games this series. Three of his nine goals this regular season and playoffs combined have come in eight games against the Sharks, against whom he is averaging 3.1 DraftKings points per contest. He's in a top-six role and in position to score a point in Game 7, but could return DFS value with his strong peripherals alone.
CLUTCH FACTOR:
Joel Ward, San Jose Sharks ($4,100)
Ward has two goals in five career Game 7s, per the Elias Sports Bureau. He brings valuable experience in these series-deciding games to the Sharks, who have lost their past two Game 7s to the Los Angeles Kings in 2013 and 2014. The Sharks power forward had a goal and an assist in Game 1 against the Predators but has been held without a point in each of his past five games, with three blocks and five SOG. Fifteen of his 22 goals in the regular season and playoffs combined have come at SAP Center, so there's a lot to like about this affordable daily fantasy sleeper.

GOALIE MATCHUP:
Sharks goalie starter Martin Jones ($8,200) has never played in a Game 7. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne ($7,900) won the first Game 7 of his career in the Western Conference First Round at the Anaheim Ducks, stopping 36 of 37 shots faced for 9.2 DraftKings points. That said, Rinne allowed four goals in Game 5 at San Jose before being pulled late in the third period. He allowed another three goals in Game 6 at home. The Sharks have outscored their opponents 17-9 at home this postseason, so Jones is worth spending an extra $300 for in this more favorable spot. In this regular season and playoffs combined, Rinne has a .903 road save percentage.
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