This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The NHL playoffs continue Sunday with a five-game slate beginning at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Below, you'll find an overview of the matchups and suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
This will be the second game in as many nights for the Golden Knights-Blackhawks series, and it's also the fourth game of their series, with Vegas having won the first three. The Stars and Flames will also be playing their fourth game, with Calgary holding a 2-1 series lead. The underdog Islanders and Canucks are looking to expand on 2-0 series leads against the Capitals and Blues, respectively, while the Flyers-Canadiens is the only tied series at a game apiece.
GOALIES
Semyon Varlamov ($8,100) has been sturdy in the Islanders' net, allowing two goals on 26 shots in Game 1 and two goals on 25 shots in Game 2. With a solid defensive structure in front of him, the Russian goalie is primed for further success as New York looks to grab a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Cam Talbot ($8,300) wasn't at his best in the first two games, but he delivered a standout performance in Game 3 for the Flames, posting a 35-save shutout to take a 2-1 series lead. He's a sensible option in net against a Stars offense that averaged just 2.58 goals per game in the regular season — only Columbus scored fewer goals among playoff teams, and Dallas ranked sixth-lowest league-wide.
Carter Hart ($8,400) was chased in Game 2 after allowing four goals on 26 shots, but the young Flyers netminder had won each of his previous three starts this postseason while allowing only one goal in each game. Look for Hart to bounce back with the favored Flyers likely to deliver a much better team effort in Game 3.
Jordan Binnington ($7,400) has delivered two subpar performances to put the Blues in an 0-2 hole, but his stellar play en route to winning the Stanley Cup as a rookie last season suggests he's capable of flipping the switch and turning things around. There's certainly upside here at just $7,400. Alternatively, it's possible the defending champs turn to backup Jake Allen ($7,400), who stopped 37 of 38 shots in his lone round robin appearance.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Bo Horvat ($6,600) has been the key player for the Canucks in their series against St. Louis, with two goals in each of the first two games. The team's 25-year-old captain should continue to lead by example in Game 3.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi ($3,800) was one of two Canadiens to score twice in Game 2, along with Tomas Tatar ($5,600). The game seems to be slowing down for the third overall pick from the 2018 draft, who has started to display his high-end skill on a more consistent basis with four goals in six games this postseason. Kotkaniemi's unlikely to stay this affordable much longer if he keeps producing.
Alex Ovechkin ($8,600) scored both of Washington's goals in Game 2 after T.J.Oshie ($6,700) potted both of the team's tallies in the series opener. The superstar Russian is rarely a poor choice if you can afford to save up for him, as he's put six pucks on net in each of the first two games and should continue to be a premier source of shots and likely goals as well.
Anders Lee ($6,500) has been the biggest difference-maker for the Islanders in their series against Washington. The captain knocked out Nicklas Backstrom early in the first period of Game 1 with a borderline dirty hit, then added insult to injury by lighting the lamp in each of this series' first two games. Keep rolling Lee out there until the Capitals show they can contain the power forward.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Golden Knights at Blackhawks
William Karlsson (C - $5,800), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $7,100), Reilly Smith (W - $5,800)
Paul Stastny ($4,700) centered this line in Games 1 and 2, but he was deemed unfit to play in Game 3. Karlsson took over Stastny's spot and immediately lit the lamp in Game 3, and whichever player slots in between these two productive wingers should be primed for success. Marchessault has four assists and 13 shots through this series' first three games, while Smith owns a 3-2-5 line.
Blues at Canucks
Ryan O'Reilly (C - $6,500), David Perron (W - $6,800), Jaden Schwartz (W - $5,800)
It's too early to count the reigning champs out, and this line has been the Blues' best in this series. O'Reilly lit the lamp in Game 2 and is a proven playoff performer, as evidenced by the 2019 Conn Smythe trophy on his mantel. The veteran center also led the Blues with 61 points this season, edging out Perron by one. Perron has been St. Louis' top forward in this series with a goal and two assists, and his 25 regular season goals tied for the team lead with Brayden Schenn ($5,500). Schwartz wasn't far behind with a 22-35-57 line this season, and he has a goal in each of the two losses to Vancouver.
Flames vs. Stars
Mikael Backlund (C - $5,700), Andrew Mangiapane (W - $4,100), Tobias Rieder (W - $3,300)
Locking in this low-cost line can help you afford some of this slate's more enticing high-priced players. Backlund scored a shorthanded goal on four shots in Game 3 and dished an assist in Game 1. Mangiapane's coming off a 17-goal regular season and has skated at least 16:24 in each of Calgary's last six games, and Rieder saw his ice time boosted to 18:39 in Game 3 after lighting the lamp in Game 2.
DEFENSEMEN
Even after being held off the scoresheet in each of the past two games, Shea Theodore ($5,900) still has a 2-3-5 line and 20 shots over the last five. The 25-year-old blueliner posted a career-best 13-33-46 line in the regular season, and his offensive output continues to grow.
Ivan Provorov ($4,900) has been a standout performer for the Flyers, posting an assist and two shots in Game 1 before contributing five shots and six blocks in Game 2. The versatile Russian defenseman has proven capable of thriving whether his team wins or loses, and he's available at a reasonable price.
Miro Heiskanen ($5,200) has been the main driver of Dallas' offense this postseason, with a 2-5-7 line in six games. Like Provorov for the Flyers, Heiskanen usually lays a solid base of shots and blocks.
Olli Maatta ($3,900) scored Chicago's lone goal in Game 3, giving him a 3-2-5 line in seven games this postseason. With his team on the brink of elimination, lock in the streaking affordable blueliner while you still can.
