This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Avalanche and Coyotes kick off the fourth day of Round 1 at 2 p.m. EDT, giving us a potential Nathan MacKinnon line stack. The Flyers have yet to lose in return-to-play action and have a good chance to go up 2-0 in their series against the Habs. Meanwhile, the defending champion Blues have to yet to win a game and could go down 2-0 against the upstart Canucks.
It's been upsets galore this year, and the Islanders were much tougher than expected in a Game 1 win against the Capitals. The Flames and Stars are tied 1-1, and neither team feels like the favorite even though the Stars are the higher seed.
GOALIES
Braden Holtby, WSH vs. NYI ($7,800): Not having Ilya Samsonov means Holtby will likely start again despite a poor performance in Game 1, and Alex Ovechkin admitted they weren't mentally sharp. Count on a better effort from the Caps, who squandered a 2-0 lead and allowed the game-winning goal short-handed.
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. STL ($7,700): He made 29 saves in a strong performance and continues to get plenty of goal support from the Canucks power play. Their defense has also performed better than expected, and combined with a struggling Blues offense, Markstrom is once again a strong value play at this salary.
Carey Price, MON vs. PHI ($7,600): He's the sole reason the Habs have any hope of advancing to the second round, allowing just two goals in a one-goal loss in Game 1. He made 29 saves and is a good bet at this salary, which ranks ninth among the 10 expected starters.
VALUE PLAYS
Anthony Beauvillier, NYI vs. WSH ($5,200): His point streak is now at six games after scoring a goal in Game 1, and he's starting to really look like a bona fide first-line winger. He's generated 74 shot attempts, second only to Matt Barzal, and generated a 60.1 SAT%, second only to Josh Bailey. His speed is a problem for a mediocre Caps defense.
Vladislav Namestnikov, COL vs. ARI ($4,600): The Avalanche's top line buried the Coyotes, outshooting them 40-14 with the top line generating a 84.62 CF% thanks to an 11-2 edge in shots, according to Natural Stat Trick. Namestnikov gives you exposure to a dominant top line at a low salary with some power-play upside with the second unit.
Scott Laughton, PHI vs. MON ($4,000): If not for Price's outstretched stick save, Laughton would've stretched his point streak to four games. He finished with four shots and continues to be one of the best value plays among wingers. Any mishap by the Habs in their own zone will lead to multiple scoring chances, because they don't have much quality or quantity on their back end.
Sam Bennett, CGY vs. DAL ($3,600): He took Matthew Tkachuk's spot on the power play after Tkachuk left the game Thursday, and the move paid immediate dividends when Bennett scored a goal. He finished the night with five shots and 3:18 with the man advantage, fourth most among Flames forwards.
Joel Farabee, PHI vs. MON ($3,400): He's one of Philly's best kept secrets with two goals in two games, and despite Jakub Voracek's return, continued to see time on the top line.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche vs. Coyotes
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $8,600), Mikko Rantanen (W - $7,800), Vladislav Namestnikov (W - $4,600)
The Coyotes had no answer for this line, and there's no immediate solution, either. If you can squeeze these guys in under budget, do it.
Canucks vs. Blues
Elias Pettersson (C - $6,700), J.T. Miller (W - $6,700), Brock Boeser (W - $5,700)
They combined for five points and played a huge role in going 3-for-6 on the power play in Game 1.!Miller looked good with a goal and an assist despite missing warm-ups and is expected to play Game 2.
Islanders vs. Capitals
Brock Nelson (C - $5,400), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $5,200), Josh Bailey (W - $4,700)
They were flat-out dominant in Game 1, out-chancing the Caps 10-1 despite facing John Carlson much of the time. Nicklas Backstrom will not play Game 2, and the returning Lars Eller has usually been matched up against Barzal's line, leaving the defensively-challenged Evgeny Kuznetsov facing Nelson's line. Matchups will be important.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. STL ($5,400): He's a must start while the Canucks PP runs hot, and considering how pedestrian Cale Makar has looked in comparison, Hughes definitely has the most upside.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. CGY ($5,000): He's a safe play because he does so much to fill the scoresheet. Heiskanen finished with an assist, five shots and three blocked shots in Game 1, then added another two goals in Game 2. Back-to-back games won't have the same effect with no travel.
Erik Gustafsson, CGY vs. DAL ($4,100): He's also a strong value play because he runs Calgary's power play, and through six playoff games, he has registered four assists. The drawback to Gustafsson is Dallas' disciplined play — it doesn't give up many power plays with just five in two games.
