This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a small two-game slate Friday with the Flyers and Canucks sporting 3-2 series leads over the Canadiens and Blues, respectively. It will be Philadelphia's second opportunity to eliminate Montreal, while the defending Stanley Cup champions face a tough choice between the pipes.
GOALIES
Carter Hart, PHI vs. MON ($7,500): While Hart's performance in Game 5, in which he gave up four goals on 32 shots, certainly left something to be desired, he posted shutouts in his previous two contests. As such, it comes as a bit of a surprise to see him as the least expensive netminder on the slate.
Carey Price, MON vs. PHI ($7,900): If the Habs pull off another upset over a Pennslyvania-based club, it will be almost entirely because Price carried them. In nine postseason appearances this year, the world-class netminder is sporting a 1.64 GAA and a pair of shutouts. He's the best goaltender remaining in the slate, but will he get enough offensive support to win?
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. STL ($8,200): In five of his last six outings, Markstrom has allowed three or more goals to find the back of the net while putting up a .919 save percentage. While the numbers aren't stellar, he's also faced an average of 37 shots a game over that stretch and has managed a 4-2 record. With an offense scoring at a 3.11 goals per game rate (sixth best in the playoffs), Markstrom doesn't need to be perfect, just good enough.
Jake Allen/Jordan Binnington ($7,600): Coach Craig Berube refused to tip his hand at Thursday's press conference regarding his netminder of choice, instead complementing both players' commitment to the team first. The Blues are the best odds to win at -132 according to DraftKings Sportsbook, which could see either netminder with high utilization numbers Friday.
VALUE PLAYS
Adam Gaudette, VAN vs. STL ($2,900): After missing seven games due to injury, Gaudette was relatively quiet in his first game back, as he logged just 7:22 of ice time. What makes the 22-year-old center intriguing is the fact that a minute and a half of his limited minutes came with the man advantage. He is also coming off a career year in which he garnered 33 points in 59 outings. He's certainly not a lock, but at under $3,000, he's worth the potential high upside.
Jake Virtanen, VAN vs. STL ($3,200): Hit while the iron is hot, as the old saying goes, and Virtanen is coming off a two-point performance in Game 5 after being held off the scoresheet in all seven of his previous postseason outings. The winger's shot rate is lower than what you might hope for, less than one per game, considering he is averaging 1:27 with the man advantage. However, he does possess some scoring touch and may have reached the 20-goal mark were it not for the league going on hiatus.
Artturi Lehkonen, MON vs. PHI ($3,300): It's been a tough series for the winger, as he's managed just one assist in five clashes with the Flyers. In four games against the Penguins, Lehkonen tallied one goal and two helpers. Fantasy players will no doubt be hoping his productivity in Game 5 will carry over into Friday's matchup.
STACKS
Philadelphia vs. Montreal
Kevin Hayes (C - $5,400), Travis Konecny (W - $5,600), Scott Laughton ($4,600)
While big names like Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux are still looking for their first goals of the postseason, Laughton finds himself with a trio of markers. Hayes has chipped in five helpers while Konecny has been the weak link. Still, the Flyers' second line won't break the bank and has shown it can produce.
Nick Suzuki (C - $4,500), Paul Byron (W - $3,100), Max Domi (W - $4,500)
The Habs lines have been thrown into a blender of late, but it's Suzuki who is the key. In nine games, the youngster has grabbed two goals and three helpers. He'll provide a boost to whoever he is skating with. As of now, it appears that will be Byron and Domi, who have four and three points respectively. It's one of the cheapest viable stack options and could allow you to spend up elsewhere.
Vancouver vs. St. Louis
Elias Pettersson (C - $7,000), J.T. Miller (W - $6,600), Brock Boeser (W - $5,900)
No doubt you are tired of seeing this recommendation in this article, but the fact of the matter is they continue to produce at a level that outpaces much of the field. In nine appearances, this trio has combined for 11 goals and 17 helpers, including six power-play points. The fact that they not only play together at even strength but also line up together on the No. 1 unit makes them one of the best lines available in the entire playoffs, outside of maybe Colorado's.
Ryan O'Reilly (C - $5,900), David Perron (W - $6,400), Jaden Schwartz (W - $6,000)
O'Reilly and Perron are almost single-handedly driving the Blues offense with four goals apiece and a combined 18 points. For his part, Schwartz has chipped in another two goals but remains bogged down in a three-game goal drought. Still, it's not from a lack of trying, as he's registered 13 shots over that stretch. If you don't want to pay up for Vancouver's studs, you can save $1,200 and slot in the defending champions' top group instead.
DEFENSE
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. MON ($3,600): He's only in the lineup because Matt Niskanen is serving a one-game suspension, but when Gostisbehere has played this postseason, he's averaged 1:46 of ice time per game on the power play and chipped in two assists, eight shots and eight blocks.
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. STL ($5,700): While Edler posted his lowest fantasy-point total of the postseason in Game 5 (4.3), he was also on the ice for just 13:04 due to a minor injury. The blueliner is expected to suit up in Game 6 and should get back to racking up assists and blocking shots.
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. VAN ($6,700): There is a reason Pietrangelo is the most expensive defenseman on the board by a wide margin, as he's racked up one goal and four helpers in eight playoff appearances, including four points with the man advantage. His shots on goal total has dipped below four in just one of his last six contests and he'll continue to serve as the quarterback of the No. 1 power-play unit.
