This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Welp, it happened again. For the third straight time – mirroring the Lightning's quirky streak – the Islanders lost their first home game of the series. But they have a chance to keep another run going if they take the second home game of the series.
The Lightning needed a late goal from Brayden Point on the seat of his pants to win Game 3 while both Semyon Varlamov and Andrei Vasilevskiy performed well. And depth scoring was once again the difference maker, with Tampa's third line opening the scoring and then the Isles' fourth line tying it up before Point's clincher. In Game 1, Jan Rutta's first goal of 2021 ended up being the game winner. This may be the story all series.
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT.
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
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, NYI vs. TB ($8,500): Pageau has played hard, but has gone scoreless despite putting seven shots on goal. He's come close a few times and remains a solid value play given his vital special-teams role and based on how the Isles spread out their minutes.
Blake Coleman, TB at NYI ($9,000): All three members of Tampa's checking line can be considered, but Coleman has been more productive with a point in each of his last two contests and along with Yanni Gourde tends to provide most of the unit's shot attempts.
LINE STACKS
Brock Nelson (C - $11,500), Josh Bailey (W - $10,500), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $9,000)
The trio have combined for 29 points in nine playoff wins and only five in six defeats. With the Lightning taking Game 3, look for the Isles to push back harder tonight. As mentioned previously, the Isles are 0-3 from their first home game of each series, but 2-0 so far in the second one.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB at NYI ($12,000): Hedman's in a class of his own and is worth selecting because he's a point-per-game player and doesn't generate any less offense than a solid top-six forward. He's also recorded three points in his last two appearances.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. TB ($7,000): It's hard to pick an Isles' D-man because they score so infrequently, though I like Leddy's value upside as a power-play quarterback. He's not a particularly strong shooter, but moves the puck well and represents the least expensive blueliner among those who regularly receive man-advantage minutes.