This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Canadiens threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Lightning and still couldn't win. The Habs' 43 shots on goal represented their highest total of the postseason, but Blake Coleman's goal with two seconds remaining in the second period hurt and Montreal never recovered. They were 8-1 in games in which they registered at least 30 shots prior to Game 2, but Andrei Vasilevskiy was simply brilliant and certainly stands as a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
However… the series now moves to Montreal, where the atmosphere and stakes would still be hard to ignore even without a capacity crowd. Remember that Alex Burrows was a Vancouver Canuck in 2011 when they won the first two games of the series before losing in Game 7, and now is on the other side behind the bench as an assistant coach.
As predicted, the series has been about goaltending. Can Carey Price backstop his team to victory and will the Habs be able to find any holes in Vasilevskiy?
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT. All fancy stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick.
As with all FanDuel showdown formats, no goalies are available for selection and a Captain can be designated for 1.5x fantasy points. The remaining roster spots are not restricted by position.
VALUE PLAYS
Brendan Gallagher, MON vs. TB ($8,500): In eight playoff games at home, Gallagher ranks fourth on the team in shots (22), second among forwards in 5v5 xGF (6.36) and first in 5v5 CF% (55.0) among players with at least 60 minutes played. And how many goals has he scored? Zero. Gallagher has been the best Hab on the ice for stretches and is a victim of some really poor luck, even though the team is also having trouble scoring.
Anthony Cirelli, TB at MON ($8,500): Cirelli scored a goal in 19 minutes after getting moved up to the top power-play unit with Alex Killorn out. The versatile, two-way center offers some offense, but doesn't shoot often and usually prefers to defer attacking duties to his more talented teammates.
Tyler Johnson, TB at MON ($7,000): Johnson moved up to Killorn's spot and responded with an assist and two shots on goal. If Killorn plays, Johnson will move back down to the fourth line and provide him little fantasy upside in fantasy. But should Killorn be unavailable again, look for Johnson to renew his expanded role. He's also scored more than 10 goals in his career against three teams, and one of them is the Habs.
LINE STACKS
Nikita Kucherov ($15,000), Brayden Point ($14,500), Ondrej Palat ($10,000)
Palat's salary gets a slight bump with a point in two straight, which still allows you to add Johnson, Barclay Goodrow or Mikhail Sergachev. Maybe Price and the Habs will find some magic in Montreal, but odds are this will once again be the best line on the ice.
Yanni Gourde ($12,500), Barclay Goodrow ($7,500), Blake Coleman ($9,500)
This trio represents the best third line in hockey and a big reason for Tampa's success. If they win another Cup, this line deserves to be held in the same regard as the famed Red Wings' Grind Line of Kris Draper, Darren McCarty and Kirk Maltby.
Nick Suzuki ($14,000), Cole Caufield ($9,500), Tyler Toffoli ($13,000)
Just in case the Habs shoot a lot and actually score, Suzuki's unit is still their most dangerous. He led the team with a goal and nine shots, and they'll be able to get easier matchups on home ice with the last change.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Weber, MON vs. TB ($11,500): I should know better than to trust a player with no thumbs on offense, but Weber remains the Habs' best option and leads the defense in both ice time per game and shots on goal. Montreal made a slight tweak and used Erik Gustafsson on the power play instead of Weber in Game 2. That obviously hurts his fantasy value, but he sees plenty of minutes and still produced more shots on goal and blocked shots.
