This article is part of our Cap Compliance series.
The back-and-forth series between the Lightning and Islanders continues Monday, and Yahoo has a single-game contest where you're not position-restricted and can select five players while staying under a $115 salary cap. While New York won Game 4 to even the series, the Lightning's third-period push could prove to have swung the momentum back in their favor. Tampa Bay also has home-ice advantage again in Game 5 and is a significant favorite. Here are a number of recommendations and fades from Monday's player pool.
All statistics from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
Picks
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. NYI ($38): Even with his underwhelming Game 4 showing, Vasilevskiy still boasts an elite .944 save percentage and 1.62 GAA through his past five outings and .933 and 2.19 marks over 15 postseason starts. There are enough values in the player pool to roster Vasilevskiy. He likely has the highest fantasy ceiling, too.
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. NYI ($34): The 28-year-old winger has been next to automatic all postseason with 24 points -- five goals -- through his past 15 games. There's also potential positive regression ahead of his 13.5 shooting percentage, considering he posted a 15.6 mark through his past four regular seasons and hasn't scored in one of the past 11 games.
Anthony Beauvillier, NYI at TB ($18): It's been a strong postseason for Beauvillier. He's collected four goals, eight assists, and his 44 individual high-danger scoring chances pace the Islanders. Beauvillier is also locked into an offensive role and receives consistent power-play time.
Kyle Palmieri, NYI at TB ($16): This is a reasonable salary to target Palmieri. He hasn't found the scoresheet in four games against the Lightning but has registered a respectable nine shots, 16 attempts and five individual high-danger scoring chances, so the opportunities have been there. Additionally, he's been moonlighting on the No. 1 line with Mathew Barzal ($18) and Jordan Eberle ($16) at times throughout the playoffs, which adds to his appeal.
Noah Dobson, NYI at TB ($10): A minimum-salary target with a modest floor and a sprinkle of upside, Dobson has posted a sneaky playoff stat line. The 21-year-old defenseman has picked up seven helpers, 18 shots and 16 blocks through 16 games, and he's received consistent power-play time.
Pans
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. NYI ($29): The Islanders have kept Stamkos in check to the tune of just a single assist, five shots and a single individual high-danger scoring chances through the first four games of the series. A breakout showing wouldn't surprise, but the cap hit is also hefty.
Ryan Pulock, NYI at TB ($19): The Game 4 hero will probably have a long night trying to slow down Tampa Bay's No. 1 line Monday. Pulock has also missed the scoresheet in three straight games and registered just three shots.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, NYI at TB ($19): Without a point through four games against the Lightning, Pageau's salary is probably a little high. He's been tasked with slowing down Tampa Bay's No. 1 line, so there's an added plus-minus risk attached to Pageau, too.
