FanDuel NHL: Sunday Targets

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Published on June 13, 2021

SLATE PREVIEW

We're there and back again with the Islanders and Lightning facing off in the semis for the second straight season. And it's largely following the same path with the Lightning making a deep run, especially after Nikita Kucherov showed no rust, and the Islanders once again defying expectations to make it this far.

The Lightning are 3-0 against the Isles all-time in the playoffs, including last season's triumph in six games. The storyline remains the same: can the Isles' structure and checking (and improved goaltending) keep the defending champs off the board? They have a chance if Mathew Barzal continues his ascent into elite territory and becomes the best forward in this series and if Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin can shut the door.

Puck drop is at 3 p.m. EDT.

As with all FanDuel showdown formats, a Captain can be selected for 1.5x fantasy points and the remaining roster spots are not restricted by position.

GOALIES

No goalies are available for selection in showdown formats.

VALUE PLAYS

Anthony Cirelli, TB vs. NYI ($8,000): Cirelli's points haven't come frequently, but he's been a great fit on the second line with Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos, both of whom can score goals. Cirelli's main fantasy value will come from exposure to his two wingers.

Travis Zajac, NYI at TB ($6,500): I'm reaching a little here, but it bears mentioning how much Zajac's fantasy value has increased after starting the postseason as a healthy scratch. His goal in the finale against Boston broke a tie and he averaged over 15 minutes in that series while finding a home on what has been an effective third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and ex-Devils teammate Kyle Palmieri.

LINE STACKS

Mathew Barzal (C - $14,000), Jordan Eberle (W - $11,500), Leo Komarov (W - $6,500)

It's a minor miracle if Komarov even touches the puck, but there aren't many roster spots in showdown formats. That makes stacking both Brayden Point's line and Brock Nelson's line pretty difficult because it's hard to cut out the third wheel like we can with Komarov. Barzal and Eberle didn't play much in Game 6 due to game flow, but they'll definitely need their offense against the Lightning.

DEFENSEMEN

Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYI ($11,000): Hedman may be the only defensemen worth taking in this series as he's averaging a point per contest and the Isles' leading scorer on defense is Noah Dobson, who's their sixth defenseman and a power-play specialist.

Ryan Pulock, NYI at TB ($8,500): Dobson ($8,000) probably represents the better value play and Nick Leddy ($7,500) is the only other Isles blueliner who's recorded a point on the power play, but I like Pulock's all-situations usage and he ranks first in goals and second in points. If you're looking for blocked shots - and there should be plenty for the Isles - consider Scott Mayfield ($6,500) as he's accumulated 36 of them while adding five points.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.