This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
I guess we shouldn't be surprised the defending champs made quick work of a major underdog whom they've beaten 13 times in their past 16 meetings, with only one loss in regulation time. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point powered the Lightning with three points apiece while the Canadiens' top scoring line featuring Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli combined for a minus-9 rating with just three shots on goal.
Game 1 ended up featuring six goals, which is higher than usual when these two teams meet, and keep in mind two of those goals came off lucky bounces and both involved Ben Chiarot, who had zero points in 17 playoff games prior to that. The two teams also combined for just 46 shots; the Habs managed only 19, their lowest total since Game 2 against the Maple Leafs, though 15 were blocked by the Lightning.
The two teams continue to give up very little to their opponents; perhaps with fewer (un)lucky bounces, Game 2 could feature fewer goals, though the Lightning's superior elite talent was a big reason why they have the series lead.
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT. All fancy stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick.
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
Blake Coleman, TB vs. MON ($8,500): All three members on Coleman's line contributed on offense on the same scoring play again, and when we look back, we'll describe this line as one of the best third lines on championship teams. Yanni Gourde ($11,500) got the goal but it was Coleman who shot the puck, and he generally has more upside than Barclay Goodrow ($7,000).
Eric Staal, MON at TB ($6,000): Staal's on the fourth line but they're not really deployed like one, taking three draws in the offensive zone, the same number as Nick Suzuki's line. With Phillip Danault's line drawing tough defensive assignments and Suzuki's line likely facing the Lightning's second pairing a lot, that leaves Staal against Tyler Johnson's line and the Lightning's third pairing. It may be a long shot but perhaps the Habs' fourth line can give them an offensive advantage.
Patrick Maroon, TB vs. MON ($6,000): If Alex Killorn is unavailable, look for Maroon, Coleman or Anthony Cirelli to get some chances on the power play. The Lightning don't have many options on the blue line so it's unlikely they'll play two defensemen on the same power play unit, so either Cirelli re-joins one of the two units or Maroon or Coleman, who rank ninth and 10th in PP TOI/GP in the playoffs, get more minutes.
LINE STACKS
Brayden Point ($15,500), Nikita Kucherov ($14,500), Ondrej Palat ($9,500)
Point and Kucherov have combined for 53 (!) points so far. That's exactly the same as the Habs' top five scorers combined. There may be better value stacks out there, but it's a good bet that this line ends up with the most points every single game.
DEFENSEMEN
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. MON ($7,500): Sergachev's assist on Kucherov's goal was his first point in over a month and just his third point of the postseason even though he's just one of four Tampa defensemen to play in every game and averaging 22:03 TOI per game. Tampa's depth has pushed Sergachev down the depth chart, but other than Hedman he is probably their most talented offensive player on the blue line. He ranks third in 5v5 xGF but sixth in 5v5 GF, ahead of only Luke Schenn, who has played just eight games.
