This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Friday's five-game slate was supposed to be the first day with five games in this round, however, that plan changed after the Lightning and Blue Jackets decided to play a full extra game and then some Tuesday. It will be the Flames and the Stars who will be playing their Game 3 on a back-to-back after Dallas came out on top Thursday evening.
GOALIES
Carter Hart, PHI vs. MON ($8,200): Since his first appearance in the postseason, the 22-year-old Hart has been unbeatable, as he has racked up three wins, and 1.00 GAA and a .966 save percentage. Through five games, the Habs are averaging 28.6 shots, which should equate to a decent number of saves if Hart can maintain his elite-level form.
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. ARI ($8,400): It's certainly hard to argue with results, as Grubauer has secured the only shutout of the round this far. Fantasy players will want to take note of the fact that the German netminder faced just 14 shots in Game 1, which limited him to just 19.8 fantasy points despite the perfect performance. Banking on him completely shutting down the likes of Taylor Hall and Phil Kessel two games in a row is certainly a high-risk, high-reward play, especially considering he is the most expensive netminder in the slate.
Darcy Kuemper, ARI vs. COL ($7,100): Contrary to Grubauer's light workload in Game 1, Kuemper faced a barrage of rubber, as he stopped 37 of 40 shots. In fact, despite not securing a win and giving up a trio of goals, Kuemper actually secured more fantasy points (20.5) than his opponent. It was the fourth time in five postseason appearances this season that the 30-year-old faced at least 40 shots, so fantasy players should anticipate another busy night Friday.
VALUE PLAYS
Joel Farabee, PHI vs. MON ($3,700): Even with the return of Jakub Voracek to the lineup, coach Alain Vigneault kept the 20-year-old Farabee on the Flyers' top line with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier. The young winger rewarded his coach's faith by putting in his second goal of the postseason. As long as he doesn't get bounced, Farabee should continue to excel with his elite linemates.
Denis Gurianov, DAL vs. CGY ($3,700): In his first full NHL season, Gurianov notched 20 goals in 64 outings and certainly showed a scoring pedigree. He was stymied in the round-robin clashes but finally broke through in Game 1. He is averaging 1:40 of power-play ice time through his first four contests and should get plenty of opportunities to put pucks to the net.
Jake Virtanen, VAN vs. STL ($3,600): In four postseason appearances, Virtanen hasn't offered much in terms of value, with Game 1 being his best outing with 2.8 fantasy points. While his ice time has been limited (less than 10 minutes per game) he continues to get chances with the man advantage. The 23-year-old winger's recent run of poor form will likely lead to low utilization, which makes him an intriguing option.
STACKS
Arizona vs. Colorado
Christian Dvorak (C - $4,500), Taylor Hall (W - $6,600), Phil Kessel W - $4,500)
To get a first-line stack for just a combined $15,600 is a relative steal when you consider the trio registered four goals and seven assists in five outings, including four points with the man advantage. The fact that the Avs are favored at -190 according to the DraftKings Sportsbook could serve to depress utilization across the board for Arizona, including its top line.
Washington vs. New York
Lars Eller (C - $3,400), T.J. Oshie (W - $5,200), Jakub Vrana (W - $4,500)
In Game 1, Oshie lit it up with a pair of power-play goals along with four shots and four blocks to the tune of 31.2 fantasy points. It will be the second postseason game for Eller, who has spent time away from the team for personal reasons, but he managed an assist in that one outing. The riskiest play in this stack will no doubt be Vrana, who remains pointless in the playoff.
Vancouver vs. St. Louis
Elias Pettersson (C - $7,200), J.T. Miller (W - $6,100), Brock Boeser (W - $5,700)
It's certainly an expensive stack, but they racked up two goals and three helpers in Game 1. Opposing netminder Jordan Binnington has been subpar at best this postseason, having given up 13 goals on 98 shots (.867 save percentage) in four contests.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. STL ($5,400): The Calder Trophy candidate is currently riding a four-game point streak in which he's garnered one goal and six helpers, including five power-play points. Despite his strong run of form, the youngster is still just the 10th-most expensive blueliner and isn't even the most expensive defenseman on his own team (AlexAndre Edler, $5,800).
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. CGY ($5,000): Heading into Thursday's Game 2 matchup, Heiskanen was riding a nine-game goal drought despite averaging 2.89 shots per game. The blueliner finally put two into the back of the net, bringing his postseason point total to two goals and five assists. His role on the top power-play unit should provide him plenty of chances at extending his current three-game point streak.
Travis Sanheim, PHl vs. MON ($4,500): Unlike his contemporaries above, Sanheim doesn't quarterback the top power play but still managed to notch one goal and two helpers through four playoff outings. In his one game without a point, the blueliner actually put up his highest fantasy point total of the postseason (17.9) thanks to an impressive eight blocked shots.
