This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Will we be getting a Game 7 after Thursday? The Flyers and Canucks both scored Game 5 wins to keep their series alive. They both need to do that again to avoid elimination. I'm personally pulling for at least one Game 7, as it means more hockey to watch and more chances to play NHL DFS. With that in mind, here are my picks for Thursday.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. PHI ($32): The Islanders have clamped down defensively in the playoffs, as they've allowed only 27.4 shots on net per game in 14 postseason contests. That's helped Varlamov post a 1.85 GAA and .929 save percentage in the playoffs after registering a 2.62 GAA in the regular season. Philly's offense has scuffled a bit in the playoffs, as it's only managed 2.36 goals per game.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. VGK ($25): With Jacob Markstrom out with a groin issue, Demko stepped up big with 42 saves on 43 shots in a must-have win. If Demko is called upon again, don't expect a repeat performance. This year, the rookie goalie had a 3.06 GAA and .905 save percentage. If Markstrom is healthy and starts I would also avoid him.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. PHI ($23): Barzal took a stick to the face in Game 5, but he's expected to be able to play in Game 6. That's good, given that he scored a goal in his last outing and has 11 postseason points. That's after he had 60 points in 68 regular-season contests. Carter Hart has allowed three goals in each of his last four starts, so this seems like a good time for Barzal to stay on the scoresheet.
CENTER TO AVOID
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. VGK ($23): Horvat does have nine postseason goals but with only two assists. He's not usually this prolific, as his 19.6 shooting percentage in the playoffs is well above his career average. On top of that, he only has three-power play points in the playoffs after having 16 in the regular season. That could keep him from taking advantage of the fact the Golden Knights had the 27th-ranked penalty kill this season (mostly without Robin Lehner, mind you).
WING
Mark Stone, VGK at VAN ($26): It's weird that William Karlsson hasn't had a very good postseason, because his wingers Stone and Max Pacioretty have been crushing it. In fact, Stone has 15 points in 13 games and has been held without a point only once in this series. Vancouver allowed 33.3 shots on net per game this season, so if Demko is in net again he could be busy, and that doesn't bode well.
Tyler Toffoli, VAN vs. VGK ($18): Toffoli missed the start of the playoffs, but he has four points in four games since returning. Also, due to some lineup shuffling the 28-year-old is now on Elias Pettersson's wing. That's a great place to be. Toffoli has also been plopped down on the top power-play unit for Vancouver, which raises his offensive upside.
WINGS TO AVOID
Jordan Eberle, NYI vs. PHI ($18): Eberle has racked up a few assists recently, but he doesn't have a goal in his last nine games. On top of that, though Hart has allowed three goals in each of his last four starts, Philly's GAA in the playoffs is 2.29. The Flyers also allowed only 28.7 shots on net per contest this season, fewest in the NHL.
Jakub Voracek, PHI at NYI ($18): Voracek has been held without a point in his last five games. He also might be without his center Thursday. Sean Couturier is banged up after Game 5, and if he doesn't play that will change the landscape for the Flyers. That includes on the power play, and 17 of Voracek's 56 points came with the extra man this year.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. VGK ($19): I keep going to the Hughes well, and I see no reason not to. The rookie defenseman has 14 points in 15 playoffs games, including nine with the extra man. That's after he had 25 power-play points in the regular season. Whether or not Lehner is in net, the fact remains the Golden Knights had the 27th-ranked penalty kill this season.
Nate Schmidt, VGK at VAN ($17): If you want to pay a lower salary than Shea Theodore's, Schmidt is a fine option. He had 31 points in 59 regular-season games and has added eight more points in the playoffs. If Demko, with his .905 save percentage this season, is back in net, this is clearly the easiest matchup any offense has Thursday. In truth, even if Markstrom is back that will be the case.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Ryan Pulock, NYI vs. PHI ($17): Pulock started the playoffs hot but over his last seven games he has only one point, an assist. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising, given that Pulock only put 163 shots on net in 68 games. That's not bad, but it's far from prolific, and the Flyers did only allow 28.7 shots on net per game this year.
Matt Niskanen, PHI at NYI ($13): Niskanen scored on his lone shot on net in Game 5, but that was his first goal of the playoffs. In fact, it's only his second point of the postseason. He doesn't have a single game with more than two shots on goal in the playoffs, so the odds of him lighting the lamp again, especially with Varlamov in net, are quite slim.
