This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
We'll be down to showdown slates the rest of the way, as we settle into the conference finals for both sides. Monday will feature Game 1 between the well-rested Lightning, who haven't played in nearly a week, and the defensively-minded Islanders.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TAM ($16,200/$10,800): While most goaltenders have faced an extensive workload throughout the postseason, Vasilevskiy is one of the few remaining netminders to have gotten some time off since entering the bubble. In five contests with the Bruins, the Russian went 4-1 with a .936 save percentage and 1.79 GAA. Heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, Vasilevskiy will be tasked with shutting down the third most potent offense this postseason, as the Isles are converting at a 3.38 goals per game rate.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI ($15,600/$10,400): It will be crucial that fantasy players check to make sure that Varlamov does indeed get the start, as coach Barry Trotz turned to Thomas Greiss ($15,300/$10,200) for Game 7. Part of that decision no doubt stems from the fact that Varlamov conceded nine goals in his last two appearances. Additionally, the fact the New York is allowing the second-fewest shots per game in the playoffs (26.9) won't improve the 32-year-old goaltender's fantasy value.
Captain Options
Goalies (See Above): To utilize a netminder as the captain, you'll need to get creative throughout the rest of the lineup given their high price tags. Still, if the keeper can limit the goals allowed, or even record a shutout, they are likely to be near the top in fantasy points. Still, the premium is a little too steep for me, especially considering the quality of offense put out by both clubs.
Brock Nelson, NYI ($12,600): In addition to his four-game point streak, Nelson has racked up four multipoint games in his 16 playoff appearances. In those outings, the elite center managed seven goals and eight helpers, though he's only managed two points on the power play. Still, despite his lack of production with the man advantage, the center trails only a handful of players in terms of playoff production.
Brayden Point, TAM ($13,500): One of those players who is ahead of Nelson in the points column is Point, who has racked up 18 points in 13 outings. The winger offers similar production with the man advantage, as he has just two power-play helpers but should continue to see plenty of opportunities considering Steven Stamkos (lower body) is not expected to play during the series.
STACKS
Tampa Bay Lightning
Brayden Point (C - $9,000), Nikita Kucherov (W -$10,200), Ondrej Palat (W - $7,400)
In order to make this stack work, you almost certainly can't utilize any of the aforementioned players in the captain spot, with the exception of Palat ($11,100). Even so, it may still require fantasy players to punt on a spot in the lineup, though it would allow you to utilize the team's top-three point producers who have combined for 15 goals and 28 assists in 13 contests.
New York Islanders
Brock Nelson (C - $8,400), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $7,800), Josh Bailey (W - $6,400)
As a trio, the Isles' second line comes in cheaper than the first group but offers more upside when you consider it is Bailey who leads the way with 17 points followed by Nelson (15) and Beauvillier coming in fourth (12). It's not all even-strength production for this group either when you consider 12 of their combined 34 points have been recorded on the power play. Bailey, for his part, would make an intriguing captain pick when you consider his salary in that spot is just $9,600.
DEFENSE
When contests require you to utilize defensemen, looking for players that can contribute with blocks certainly is a solid strategy. However, that's unlikely to bring home the bacon when you get into the open flex format of showdown contests. As such, finding the offensive contributors will be a necessity for fantasy players.
Devon Toews, NYI ($6,000): The Islanders aren't known for their blue-line scoring, so finding players to utilize among this group may be a fool's errand. Still, Toews offers a similar value to Ryan Pulock ($7,600), as both players have eight postseason points but comes in significantly cheaper. I wouldn't go utilizing Toews as a captain, yet getting him into the lineup will allow fantasy players to pay up at other positions.
Mikhail Sergachev, TAM ($6,200): Much like Toews, Sergachev isn't the most expensive blueliner on the team, as that honor falls to Victor Hedman ($8,600). The youngster still offers plenty of value when you consider he is averaging 2:34 of power-play ice time in the playoffs. He has only four points to show for it but the fact that he is logging more minutes on average with the man advantage than Hedman (1:42) should set Sergachev up to snag a few points in this series.
