This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Well, I didn't think it'd be this lopsided. The Avalanche can complete the sweep against the Blues (5 p.m. EDT) in a series they've completely dominated. The Bruins can also advance with a win against the Capitals (7 p.m.), who have looked disinterested for most of the playoffs and a victim of their own costly mistakes.
The Hurricanes can take a 3-1 lead against the Predators (2:30 p.m.) while the Jets can take a commanding 3-0 lead against the Oilers (7:30 p.m.) in a series that has defied all expectations.
One thing to watch as the playoffs progress: Tampa's Jon Cooper, Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour and St. Louis' Craig Berube have all spoken out against the inconsistencies in officiating. Whether true or not, it'll be interesting to see if their teams get more power plays going forward. This is, after all, a league that often confuses equal power play opportunities with equal opportunity – they are definitely not mutually inclusive.
All salaries quote are for the all-day slate.
GOALIES
Alex Nedeljkovic, CAR at NSH ($8,300): The Canes just lost by one goal in overtime, so I don't think a goalie switch is happening especially with Nedeljkovic playing so well in the first two games. Note the loss in Game 3 was the third straight Carolina has suffered in Nashville, though curiously enough the Canes have also won the 5v5 possession battle in all three contests. And with a PDO well below 100, it seems more like bad luck than poor play.
Philipp Grubauer, COL at STL ($8,300): Grubauer and Carolina's goalies are valued the same, but the Colorado netminder should have a better chance in winning even though he'll likely face fewer shots. The Avs have outscored the Blues 15-5 in the series and limited them to just 8.65 high-danger shots attempts per 60 minutes, sixth-best among playoff teams according to Natural Stat Trick.
Ilya Samsonov, WSH vs. BOS ($7,400): The Caps should have enough fight in them to force another game and, if anything, goaltending has been a strong suit and not a weakness. They simply need to provide more goal support and stay out of the penalty box. Samsonov has been peppered with shots and should at least be able to rack up the stops and a post nice save percentage.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. EDM ($7,300): Hellebuyck's Vezina-worthy performances so far have been the big difference maker because the Oilers are dominating possession and getting plenty of shots on net. His home record and head-to-head with the Oilers have not been spectacular, but he's a decent value selection since he's playing at a high level.
VALUE PLAYS
J.T. Compher, COL at STL ($3,700): Compher replaced Nazem Kadri at center and responded with a goal, though it did come shorthanded and into an empty net. Given the Blues' depleted defense, both Compher and Tyson Jost ($3,700) - who also scored a goal and comes in with a higher offensive ceiling - represent solid value plays. Alex Newhook ($3,000) is the high-profile rookie who can make a difference, but he's been skating fourth-line minutes.
Eeli Tolvanen, NSH vs. CAR ($4,300): Tolvanen was very quiet in the first three games, but registered six shots across 26 minutes in Game 4. He's playing on the second line and PP1 and should find the scoresheet with his play trending up and the potential for another high-scoring contest.
LINE STACKS
Hurricanes at Predators
Sebastian Aho (C - $7,900), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $6,700), Teuvo Teravainen (W - $5,700)
This is a good value stack because the Canes' offense are averaging four goals and Svechnikov enters with the ninth-highest salary among wingers even though he's posted a point per game. Vincent Trocheck and the second line are also worth stacking, but both Aho and Svechnikov feature on PP1.
Bruins at Capitals
David Krejci (C - $5,700), Taylor Hall (W - $6,600), Craig Smith (W - $4,800)
Brad Marchand may be scoring the big goals, but the second unit isn't far behind in point production and it doesn't matter how you accumulate points in fantasy. The second group has combined for eight points and Hall's underlying numbers have been excellent so far.
Avalanche at Blues
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $8,900), Mikko Rantanen (W - $8,200), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $7,000)
Expensive, but worth it. MacKinnon is a proven playoff performer and the Avs' top trio has been tuning up the Blues since puck drop while also ranking 1-2-3 on the team in playoff scoring.
DEFENSEMEN
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at NSH ($6,400): Hamilton did not register a point despite playing 36 minutes, but tied with Aho with a team-high seven shots when no other Carolina defenseman had more than three. Hamilton profiles similarly to Roman Josi ($6,600) as blueliners who are heavily relied upon to generate offense, but the former has the edge with a slight discount in salary.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at WSH ($5,500): It was McAvoy who's made a difference on the Bruins power play by pitching in with three helpers in Game 3. He replaced Matt Grzelcyk, who was bumped to PP2, and the difference was immediate. McAvoy has also produced five assists and 15 shots this series.
Brett Pesce, CAR at NSH ($4,200): Pesce's stepped up his play in Jaccob Slavin's absence by recording a point in each of the first three games. He doesn't offer the same offensive upside as Hamilton, but the pucks are bouncing his way and he continues to play a lot of minutes in a high-scoring series.
