This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Lightning needed a late goal from Nikita Kucherov to win Game 2, but there's no doubt that they've been the better team so far. They're a deeper and more talented squad, though they will be without Alex Killorn, who was suspended for his hit on Brock Nelson, and perhaps top forward Brayden Point. Look for Mitchell Stephens and/or Carter Verhaeghe to take their spots.
The Islanders clamped down on defense after allowing eight goals in Game 1 but they have not been able to get any scoring from their top forwards. Only five Islanders have scored points and only one goal has come from a top-six forward. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT.
GOALIES
As always, with only one game on the slate, no goalies will be made available for selection. Andrei Vasilevskiy will start for Tampa and Semyon Varlamov, who played well despite getting tagged with the loss in Game 2, will probably get the start for New York.
VALUE PLAYS
Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. NYI ($7,500): If Point doesn't play, look for Cirelli to play on the top line with Kucherov and Ondrej Palat. That's a big upgrade from his usual linemates, and the trio generated nine shot attempts in just over seven minutes of even-strength play together after Point was hurt, according to Natural Stat Trick. Cirelli doesn't have elite finish, but he's an excellent two-way player who can get Kucherov the puck a lot.
Tyler Johnson, TB vs. NYI ($7,000): He started with Cirelli and Killorn in Game 2, but neither may be on his line in Game 3. Perhaps a brand-new line for Johnson will provide a spark on offense, who is shooting an absurd 27.3 percent but has just 11 shots in 14 games. If he can be the centerpiece of his new line, perhaps it'll lead to more points.
Carter Verhaeghe, TB vs. NYI ($6,000): Both Verhaeghe and Stephens can score, but Verhaeghe has the better track record as a point-per-game player in the AHL and nine goals in 52 games with the Lightning this season. Jon Cooper has a lot of options with multiple centers in his lineup, but I suspect Verhaeghe will be ahead on the depth chart with Stephens on the fourth line.
LINE STACKS
Islanders vs. Lightning
Brock Nelson (C - $12,500), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $10,000), Josh Bailey (W - $8,500)
They were excellent in Game 2 and it's a cheaper line stack than Mathew Barzal's line, which generates more scoring chances at even strength but also allows quite a few. Nelson's line has been the best, analytically speaking, and with Tampa shorthanded perhaps they can take advantage.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYI ($13,000): With a lack of star power on the Isles blue line, Hedman's the only high-upside defenseman. None of the FanDuel spots are locked by position, so reaching for any defenseman not named Hedman would be a risky gamble.
Ryan McDonagh, TB vs. NYI ($8,000): He's on a two-game point streak and playing very well over the past few games. McDonagh is at 57.17 CF% at evens even though he was barely above 50 CF% during the season. He's a good value play right now and even if he doesn't score any points he's a very reliable shot blocker.
Devon Toews, NYI vs. TB ($7,500): He's worth picking because he quarterbacks the Islanders power play, but he's not the type of dynamic offensive playmaker that most elite teams have. Toews is a boom-or-bust option and he has not scored a goal since Game 1 against Philadelphia.
