This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Penguins, Panthers and Wild are on the chopping block, trailing 3-2 in their respective series.
The Islanders stole Game 5 thanks to Ilya Sorokin's 48 saves, and a costly giveaway by Tristan Jarry led to the double-overtime winner. Jarry will need to limit his mistakes in a do-or-die Game 6 (6:30 p.m. EDT).
Did Spencer Knight arrive just in time to save the series? The rookie made 36 saves to keep the Panthers' playoff hopes alive and, despite his inexperience, has been their most reliable option so far and no doubt he will get the start in Game 6 (8 p.m.) It would be a shame if this series doesn't go the distance.
The Golden Knights get a chance to close out the series in Game 6 (9 p.m.) but they'll have to do it on the road in a rink they've struggled since their inception. After limiting the Wild to just four goals in the first four games, they allowed four in Game 5.
GOALIES
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at MIN ($8,200): It's actually really difficult to stop pucks when they come at you infrequently. The Knights have dominated possession all series but they've been continuously stymied by Cam Talbot. Fleury has a good chance to win because the Knights will probably continue to control much of the play.
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. PIT ($7,700): Sorokin has taken over the series, allowing just six goals on 122 shots (.951 Sv%). His performance in the regular season was nothing to write home about, but note Sorokin is a former Olympic gold medalist and KHL champion, and in five career playoff runs has never finished with a save percentage below .916. He obviously thrives in pressure situations and his performances are not a fluke.
Spencer Knight, FLA at TB ($6,900): We're all aboard the Knight train, and it's a good value play relative to Andrei Vasilevskiy ($8,100). Knight has yet to lose a game in five appearances since turning pro and the Panthers are winning the possession battle with a 54.84 percent share of shot attempts in the series, according to Natural Stat Trick.
VALUE PLAYS
Alex Tuch, VGK at MIN ($4,800): Tuch has scored a point in each of the past two games and he's got plenty of upside playing on the top line. Max Pacioretty has been a game-time decision but it really doesn't look like he's returning soon.
Ross Colton, TB vs. FLA ($3,600): Colton has scored twice in the past two games and he tends to score in bunches; six of his nine goals during the season were scored during an eight-game span. Depth could be the difference maker in the series with each team's top players trading goals.
LINE STACKS
Panthers vs. Lightning
Sam Bennett (C - $5,100), Jonathan Huberdeau (W - $8,100), Owen Tippett (W - $3,400)
The trade for Bennett might end up being one of the best moves of the season, and both him and Huberdeau have been excellent all series. Tippett's the wild card, but he's got a good touch around the net and he's been held without a shot just twice this series.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. FLA ($6,300): Kris Letang ($6,500) doesn't seem to be worth the premium because the Pens are running into a brick wall in Sorokin, Alex Pietrangelo ($6,500) isn't even the best fantasy option on his own team, which again leaves Hedman as the obvious choice in the elite tier. He did not register a point last game but did finish with four shots for the third time in the series. His high usage and production in this series – seven helpers so far – makes him a good pick.
Shea Theodore, VGK at MIN ($5,400): When Theodore is on the ice, Vegas is out-chancing the Wild by a margin of 108-80 at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. It's baffling how Theodore has yet to register a point this series even though he's generating tons of offense with 16 shots on goal. At some point, the bounces have to go his way.
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA at TB ($4,400): Weegar continues to play a big role for the Panthers and continues to be a good value play. The minutes are getting spread around but Weegar's making the most of it, scoring two points and blocking three shots in just 20 minutes last game.
