This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Lightning, Bruins, Avalanche and Flyers can all advance with a win Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Canucks and Blues clash in a crucial Game 5, with the defending Cup champions rallying from a 2-0 series deficit by shutting down the Canucks' vaunted power play in Game 4. All five games are available on FanDuel's slate with the action starting at 12 p.m. EDT.
GOALIES
Carter Hart, PHI vs. MON ($8,500): Hart's the big reason why Philly has put the Habs on the brink; after all, they've only scored five goals through four games. The Habs won't go down easily, but other than the occasional outburst, their lack of consistent offense has really hurt them. Judging by the series so far, expect a low-scoring game with the ice tilted toward the Flyers. Hart is 14-2-0 since February.
Jaroslav Halak, BOS vs. CAR ($8,400): The B's have taken a commanding lead in the series with physical defensive play that's been rough on the Carolina defense, which has looked absolutely deflated after blowing a 2-0 lead in the third period of Game 4. The Bruins generated 26 shot attempts and allowed only four in that period, according to Natural Stat Trick. They'll carry a lot of momentum into Game 5.
Jake Allen, STL vs. VAN ($7,600): It took long enough, but it looks like the Blues have figured out the Canucks power play, going 7-for-7 on the penalty kill in Game 4. Momentum is on the Blues' side after being down 2-0 in the series; you never count out the Cup champs and Allen has outplayed Jordan Binnington for stretches during the season. Allen's a strong value play at this salary, and don't forget the Blues have last change in Game 5.
VALUE PLAYS
Charlie Coyle, BOS vs. CAR ($4,800): He didn't register a point in Game 4, but most importantly, he played nearly nine minutes with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand at even strength. The trio was the Bruins' best line, generating a 68.42 CF% with four high-danger scoring chances, according to NST.
Alexandre Texier, CBJ vs. TB ($4,100): He continues to be a fixture on Pierre-Luc Dubois' left wing, and I think it's very reasonable to think John Tortorella's squad will push back hard with their backs against the wall. Texier's strong two-way play means Tortorella will play him a lot, and any offense the Jackets generate usually comes from their top line.
Ondrej Kase, BOS vs. CAR ($3,500): Kase's a strong value play because you know what to expect. Bruce Cassidy has kept his line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk intact, and in Game 4 they played the most minutes together at even strength, according to NST. They don't have the upside of Boston's top unit, but Kase had two assists in Game 4 and was a big catalyst for their comeback win.
Jordan Martinook, CAR vs. BOS ($3,100): He took Andrei Svechnikov's usual spot on the top line in Game 4 and the results were surprisingly good. Once again, the line powered by Sebastian Aho was Carolina's best, but it was Martinook who ended up scoring a goal. Martinook doesn't generate much offense by himself, but he's getting a chance with two of the team's best offensive players.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche vs. Coyotes
Nazem Kadri (C - $5,800), Joonas Donskoi (W - $3,700), Andre Burakovsky (W - $4,500)
If you can stomach the fact that Burakovsky doesn't shoot much, this is a good stack against a team that is getting absolutely buried. Kadri has been particularly effective, scoring three points in Game 4, including two goals on the power play, which pushes his total to five points in four games.
Blues vs. Canucks
Ryan O'Reilly (C - $6,900), David Perron (W - $7,000), Jaden Schwartz (W - $5,900)
They've been the Blues' most effective line against the Canucks, and in Game 5 they'll be able to dictate the matchups with last change. The Canucks simply have no answer against this line, no matter if it's Bo Horvat or Elias Pettersson going head-to-head. Perron has been fantastic with six points as the main shooter, and it really feels like the momentum has shifted to the Blues' side.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. CBJ ($6,500): He'll play a big role because the Lightning won't squander a chance to advance to Round 2. He had a quiet Game 4 with just one shot on goal, but that's the exception rather than the norm. If the Jackets come out swinging – and they should – Hedman will be a shot-blocking machine.
Cale Makar, COL vs. ARI ($5,900): The Coyotes' hold-fast approach is not working and their ship has been taking on water all series. Makar has scored a point in every single game.
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. BOS ($5,800): He's been good since returning and still continues to drive a lot of puck possession. The problem is that the Canes' third periods have been atrocious, and they lack the ability to finish games. Shot blocking has become a big part of his repertoire, so that gives managers a nice floor.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. STL ($5,400): The power play laid an egg, but Hughes played a series-high 28 minutes in Game 4 and remains the Canucks' most dangerous weapon on the blue line. He's played very well at even strength, so he's more than just a power-play specialist.
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. STL ($4,600): Edler is Vancouver's best all-around defenseman, someone who plays in all situations, blocks plenty of shots and also shoots a fair amount. He ranks second in blocked shots among defensemen and 11th in blocks/60 minutes while averaging 24 minutes per game.
