FanDuel NHL: Monday Targets

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Published on August 24, 2020

SLATE PREVIEW

The Flyers and Islanders will open the action at 7 p.m. EDT. This could be the first real test for Barry Trotz's squad, which dispatched the Panthers in the qualifying round and the Capitals in Round 1. The Islanders rank first with 1.67 GA/GP in the playoffs, while the Flyers are second with 1.78.

The Avs' Stanley Cup hopes take a huge hit with Philipp Grubauer out indefinitely, as he was the playoff leader in even-strength save percentage at the time of his injury. The Stars, who made the second round with their backup, can take a 2-0 lead in the series. The Stars ranked 26th with 2.58 GF/GP during the season but they've raised that to 3.00 GF/GP in the postseason.

GOALIES

Carter Hart, PHI vs. NYI ($8,600): Two reasons to pick Hart: the Flyers are favored and have allowed more shots than the Islanders. Defensively, the Islanders are so hard to pick apart that Semyon Varlamov doesn't always have to win the game for them. Because the Flyers prefer to swap scoring chances, it'll give Hart the better chance to rack up the saves.

Pavel Francouz, COL vs. DAL ($7,800): Francouz allowed two goals in 33 minutes of relief but, overall, he's been a pretty dependable goalie. The Stars played well, but a couple of their goals came off lucky bounces, and expect the Avs to put more effort on defense with their backup in goal.

Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. COL ($7,500): If managers are looking for the value play, Khudobin is it. What you're looking for from Khudobin is plenty of saves and a decent chance at a win. The Avs offense remains terrifying but it's the Stars' goal support that's been a nice surprise.

VALUE PLAYS

Roope Hintz, DAL vs. COL ($4,500): He's been pretty good in the playoffs with four points, including a goal in Game 1. The Stars get depth scoring from both their second and third lines, with Hintz serving as the centerpiece of the third unit. He gets time with the second power-play unit, as well, so that provides some additional upside.

Joel Farabee, PHI vs. NYI ($3,700): He's a boom-or-bust candidate as he continues to carve out a role in the NHL. Alain Vigneault has juggled his lines, but it's apparent that he likes Farabee's upside, who continues to be in the mix on the top two lines and remains on the top power-play unit.

LINE STACKS

Stars vs. Avalanche

Roope Hintz (W - $4,500), Jason Dickinson (W - $3,300), Corey Perry (W - $3,700)

We're cheating a little bit here because Hintz is listed as a W even though he centers this line. Both Hintz and Dickinson collected a point in Game 1, and according to Natural Stat Trick, this was the Stars' best puck possession line, generating eight shot attempts and allowing just four. The Avs defense is talented but not deep, so the Stars' forward depth should be able to take advantage.

DEFENSEMEN

Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. COL ($5,600): He's a better value play than John Klingberg ($6,200) because at even strength Heiskanen is the better all-round player, and the Stars power play hasn't exactly been lights-out.

Cale Makar, COL vs. DAL ($5,400): He's the clear No. 1 in Colorado — especially with Erik Johnson doubtful for Game 2. Unlike Heiskanen and Klingberg with Dallas, Makar doesn't have anyone to take a chunk of the lion's share of the work, and depending on game flow could come close to playing 30 minutes.

Samuel Girard, COL vs. DAL ($4,600): He's traditionally been a strong puck possession player, and when the Avs need to give Makar a break, Girard's usually the guy. He had two assists in Game 1 and has registered at least one shot in every playoff game. He played 22 minutes in Game 1, but like Makar, expect those minutes to increase without Johnson.

Philippe Myers, PHI vs. NYI ($3,600): In an elimination game against Montreal that ended up being just a one-goal win, Myers led all Flyers defenseman in even-strength ice time with 22:16, according to NST. Travis Sanheim was a distant second with 17:48, while Ivan Provorov was third but ended up getting the most ice time due to his role on both special teams. Myers' play is trending upwards, and he's been a dependable source of shots and blocked shots this postseason.

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.