This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Tuesday's NHL slate begins at 3:00 p.m. EDT and features four games. Below, you'll find an overview of the matchups and suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are a pair of Game 4s and a pair of Game 5s on the docket. The Islanders have used superior depth and defense to grab a 3-0 lead over Washington, but the Capitals' best players will be desperate to keep their season going in Game 4. Chicago also has its back against the wall, as Vegas will be making a second attempt at closing out the series with a 3-1 lead. Philadelphia leads Montreal 2-1 in a more defensive-minded series, while the Stars have twice erased one-game deficits against the Flames to get to 2-2.
GOALIES
Other than a Game 2 dud in which he got pulled after allowing four goals, Carter Hart ($8,000) has been outstanding this postseason, allowing a total of three goals in his four other starts. The Flyers collectively laid an egg after taking a lead in this series the first time, but they should deliver a stronger performance in front of their 22-year-old goaltender this time.
If you prefer Montreal's chances in Game 4 to Philadelphia's, then it makes sense to lock in Canadiens goalie Carey Price ($7,300). Price has allowed just three goals on 81 shots (.963 save percentage) in this series, and he owns a 1.40 GAA and .953 save percentage overall this postseason.
The Islanders have made life easy for Semyon Varlamov ($7,700), limiting Washington to just 74 shots through three games. Varlamov has stopped 69 of those (.932 save percentage) en route to a 3-0 series lead, and he'll be a high-floor goalie option in Game 4.
Chicago has scored just eight goals, including one empty-netter, through four games against the Golden Knights, as Vegas has looked far superior to a Blackhawks team that came into the bubble as the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. Robin Lehner ($8,300) is 2-1 with six goals allowed, while Marc-Andre Fleury ($8,300) stopped 26 of 27 shots to win his lone start in this series, so whichever guy gets the nod in the Golden Knights' net will be an appealing fantasy option.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
After a quiet start to this series, Joe Pavelski ($4,200) was Dallas' best player in Game 4, finishing with a hat trick on eight shots. Those three goals give the seasoned veteran 53 in 141 career playoff appearances, and Pavelski's net-front presence will make him a consistent threat to add to that goal total in Game 5.
Alex Ovechkin ($8,600) is hardly to blame for Washington's 3-0 series deficit, as he's generated a 2-1-3 line and 13 shots for a team that's managed only five goals in total. Expect the Great 8 to bring his A-game facing elimination. In a slate full of defensive-minded teams, Ovechkin is arguably the most reliable source of offense.
Tomas Tatar ($4,700) posted a 22-39-61 line in 68 regular season games, leading the Canadiens in points while tying Brendan Gallagher for the lead in goals. The Slovak winger has been quiet this postseason outside of a two-goal performance in Game 2, but his production throughout the season suggests another breakout performance could be forthcoming.
If Paul Stastny (undisclosed) remains out, Chandler Stephenson ($3,300) should continue to skate in a top-six role for the Golden Knights. He has topped 15 minutes of ice time in every game this postseason, and Stephenson's affordability and deployment should make him a popular choice as Vegas tries to close out the series against Chicago.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Islanders vs. Capitals
Mathew Barzal (C - $6,800), Anders Lee (W - $6,000), Jordan Eberle (W - $5,700)
Washington has been unable to keep New York's top line in check, which is part of the reason why the Capitals find themselves on the brink of elimination just three games into this series. Barzal scored the overtime winner in Game 3 and has a 1-2-3 line in this series. Lee has lit the lamp in each game and has 12 shots, while Eberle has chipped in a 1-1-2 line.
Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks
William Karlsson (C - $6,300), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $6,600), Reilly Smith (W - $5,600)
Karlsson should continue to center this line until Stastny returns, and either pivot should be a strong choice between two wingers that Chicago has been unable to contain in this series. Marchessault is yet to light the lamp on 18 shots in this series, but he has still contributed with four helpers. Meanwhile, Smith has a 3-2-5 line. Karlsson has been quiet outside scoring a goal in Game 3, but he has 10 shots in the last three games and is capable of heating up in a hurry.
Flames at Stars
Sam Bennett (C - $3,600), Dillon Dube (W - $3,300), Milan Lucic (W - $2,600)
If you're saving up for some of this slate's more expensive options, Calgary's third line offers sneaky upside at affordable prices. Bennett starred in Game 4 with a goal and two assists, giving him a 5-2-7 line in eight games this postseason. Dube lit the lamp three times over this series' first two games and has a 4-1-5 line this postseason, and Lucic has sprinkled in a 1-5-6 line to go with his grit.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore's ($6,300) goal in Game 4 gave him a 4-2-6 line in his last six games. The talented Vegas defenseman has also put at least three pucks on net in each of the past six contests, totaling 24. If you can't afford Theodore, teammate Alec Martinez ($4,500) is a nice consolation prize. Martinez has three assists in this series' first four games, and he has rounded out his line nicely with seven shots and 10 blocks.
John Klingberg ($5,000) has helped generate much of Dallas' offense from the blue line, dishing out five helpers to go with 16 shots in this series' first four games. For the offensively challenged Stars to finally take the lead in this series, Klingberg will likely have to continue chipping in significant production from the back end.
Ivan Provorov's ($5,200) well-rounded skill set makes him a high-floor fantasy option, even in the low-scoring Canadiens-Flyers series. The Russian rearguard has just one assist in this series after posting a 13-23-36 line in the regular season, but he's still leaving his mark on games with six shots and seven blocks over the last two.
Olli Maatta ($3,200) has been a surprising offensive contributor for the Blackhawks during their playoff run, with a 3-3-6 line in eight postseason games following an unimpressive 4-13-17 regular season line. With 77 games of postseason experience under his belt, Maatta's comfortable under pressure and makes for a nice cheap filler to round out your lineup.
