This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
With the exception of Wednesday, fantasy players will be looking at two-game slates for the upcoming week, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of things to watch for. Already we've got a goalie situation brewing after Phillip Grubauer suffered an apparent lower-body injury. Dallas no doubt will be looking to capitalize and take an early 2-0 series lead. In the opener of the night, we'll get out first look at the Islanders. vs. Flyers series, which doesn't exactly scream "goal-fest", at least on paper.
GOALIES
Pavel Francouz, COL vs. DAL ($8,400): Despite having only seen action in three of the Avs' nine postseason contests, Francouz is the most expensive netminder on the slate, no doubt a result of the fact that the Avs are the biggest favorite (-165 per DraftKings Sportsbook). In those brief appearances, the 30-year-old went 1-2 with a 1.59 GAA and .941 save percentage.
Carter Hart, PHI vs. NYI ($8,100): In six games versus the Habs, Hart went 4-2 with a 1.96 GAA, .936 save percentage and two shutouts. The keeper will be clashing with an Islanders' squad that scored 3.33 goals per game through nine games (fifth highest in playoffs).
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. PHI ($7,800): There aren't really any bad options on Monday's two-game slate, and Varlamov is no different. In his nine playoff appearances, the Russian tender posted a stellar 1.67 GAA and .934 save percentage. In terms of fantasy value, however, Varlamov isn't facing much in terms of rubber, as his teammates have excelled in limiting shots (25.2 per game).
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. COL ($7,400): With Ben Bishop (undisclosed) on the shelf, the Stars have turned to Khudobin in all but two of the club's 10 playoff contests. Despite riding a four-game winning streak, the veteran's numbers have been a little underwhelming, as he is sporting a 2.60 GAA and .922 save percentage. He'll also face the unenviable task of trying to stop the hottest offense (3.78 goals per game) in the postseason — that also features a nearly unstoppable Nathan MacKinnon.
VALUE PLAYS
J.T. Compher, COL vs. DAL ($3,600): While he was completely blanked to the tune of zero fantasy points in Game 1, Compher put together a solid performance in Colorado's five-game series versus Arizona in which he tallied two goals, two helpers and 10 shots. The fact that he was dropped from the power play in Game 1 is certainly a concern but may not carry into the rest of the series considering the Avs only had one chance with the man advantage in that contest.
Joel Farabee, PHI vs. NYI ($3,400): In an attempt to jump-start his top talents, coach Alain Vigneault shuffled the deck for Game 6 versus Montreal which resulted in Farabee being elevated to the second line with Travis Konecny and Kevin Hayes. The promotion may not be permanent, but if he is playing in a top-six role, the 20-year-old winger could be a steal at his price range.
Mattias Janmark, DAL vs. COL ($3,100): Looking at the price points for Dallas' top six, Janmark comes in at the cheapest, making him worth at least an extra look. The Swede remains bogged down in a 20-game goal drought while registering just four helpers and 35 shots over the stretch. There's no doubt Janmark is a high-risk play, yet for fantasy players looking to spend up in other areas (see below), grabbing a top-six guy without breaking the bank could pay off in GPP contests.
STACKS
NY Islanders vs. Philadelphia
Brock Nelson (C - $5,700), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $4,800), Josh Bailey (W - $4,300)
While the Isles' top line will cost more, it's actually the second group that is leading the way on the scoresheet. Bailey is first in the postseason with 10 points while Beauvillier has racked up a team-leading six goals. Additionally, of the trio's 26 points, 11 have been scored with the man advantage.
Dallas vs. Colorado
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $8,500), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $6,300), Mikko Rantanen (W - $7,200)
Fitting this stack into your lineup won't be easy considering it features the most expensive player on the slate in MacKinnon. In nine postseason contests, MacKinnon has yet to miss out on the scoresheet while racking up seven points in his last two contests. Compared to that, Landeskog and Rantanen have combined for "only" 12 points in their last four contests. Having said that, drafted percentage figures to be through the roof, especially with MacKinnon, so fading them could be an intriguing option if you want to go with the contrarian play.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL vs. DAL ($6,000): The fact that Makar saw a five-game point streak come to an end in Game 5 could serve to lower his drafted percentage, which makes him all the more intriguing. The rookie blueliner is averaging 4:47 of ice time with the man advantage in the postseason and will continue to see plenty of opportunities with the No. 1 unit alongside the Avs' studs.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. COL ($5,700): Sitting atop the defensive scoring this postseason with 13 points, including four power-play points, Heiskanen is almost a near-lock for Monday's two-game slate. There aren't a lot of high-end options available, so fantasy players will likely have to decide between Heiskanen and Makar or try figuring out how to cram both into their lineups.
Travis Sanheim, PHI vs. NYI ($3,900): If there is a defenseman worth a look outside of the top options, Sanheim could be worth utilizing considering he's averaged 2:03 of power-play ice time in the postseason, including overs three minutes in each of the last two contests. The defenseman doesn't have much to show for it with four points in nine contests, but he's still one of the best options available.
