This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Mark Scheifele will serve the first of his four-game suspension in Game 2 (7:30 p.m. EDT), so it will be a big blow to the Jets to lose their top center. Paul Stastny's status is questionable, and if he doesn't play that will put a lot of pressure on Pierre-Luc Dubois to face the Canadiens' Phillip Danault and Nick Suzuki. Another significant loss is Dylan DeMelo, who's not expected to play. It looks like the Jets' depth will face a tough test for the rest of the series.
The Golden Knights made it close in Game 2, but the Avalanche won in overtime on the back of Philipp Grubauer's excellent goaltending and a generous decision from the refs. Vegas will be loud, and the Golden Knights could get a make-up call at some point tonight.
GOALIES
Carey Price, MON at WPG ($8,000): The Habs' chances of winning increase significantly withthe Jets' key injuries. Price was fine in Game 1 with 27 saves, and he probably won't have to be any better than that to win tonight. Connor Hellebuyck won't get much help from his thin defense and didn't look particularly sharp in the opener.
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. COL ($7,200): Vegas was the better team in Game 2, but couldn't stop the Avs' PP. Fleury made the stops when he needed to and it wasn't his fault for the loss; it was an offense that was continually stymied by Grubauer. Fleury represents a good value play for a team that's generally excellent at home, so a little more luck on offense should give him enough goal support.
VALUE PLAYS
Pierre-Luc Dubois, WPG vs. MON ($4,700): Dubois recorded an assist in Game 1, but his tenure with the Jets so far has been rather underwhelming considering his past playoff numbers for the Blue Jackets. There's no hiding now with Scheifele and perhaps Stastny out of the lineup, and his usage should increase after playing only 15 minutes on Wednesday.
Corey Perry, MON at WPG ($3,900): The savvy veteran has scored a point in four straight games and Game 1 showed it will be a physical, rough-and-tumble series. That kind of style suits Perry perfectly as no one is better in the crease.
Tyson Jost, COL at VGK ($3,900): Jost's second goal of the playoffs gave him a point in two straight games against Vegas, and he's really stepped up in Nazem Kadri's absence. His role on PP2 provides a little more fantasy value.
Andrew Copp, WPG vs. MON ($3,700): Copp's another player who may get an increased role with Scheifele out of the lineup as a versatile forward who can play both center and wing. He showed during the season he's got some scoring touch and has been one of the Jets' more reliable forwards this season while registering a shot in every playoff contest.
LINE STACKS
Golden Knights vs. Avalanche
Chandler Stephenson (C - $4,700), Mark Stone (W - $6,600), Max Pacioretty (W - $7,200)
It's a little worrisome Stone hasn't managed a point in four straight, but this line has played quite well other than the lack of production. The second line is also stack-worthy, but all three forwards here play on PP1 quarterbacked by Shea Theodore.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. COL ($5,700): Theodore's offense has come to life with four assists in his last three games after being snakebit the entire series against Minnesota. It's not that the Avs defense is weaker – it's definitely not – but the pucks are finally starting to bounce his way. Also, a reminder that Theodore led Vegas in scoring last season.
Samuel Girard, COL at VGK ($4,500): The least expensive defensemen of the Avs' three-headed monster on the blue line, Girard has notched four assists in three - including a helper on Jost's PPG. Vegas did a nice job of blocking shots, otherwise Girard would've had a few shots on goal.
Josh Morrissey, WPG vs. MON ($4,200): Look for Morrissey and Neal Pionk ($4,800) to log big minutes for the Jets, and both are riding three-game point streaks heading into tonight. Pionk has more offensive upside, but Morrissey has been a beast in the playoffs so far and may be the better value play.
