FanDuel NHL: Wednesday Targets

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Published on June 2, 2021

SLATE PREVIEW

The battle of the two underdogs between the Canadiens and Jets (7:30 p.m. EDT) begins Wednesday, and it might be a goalie showdown for the ages between Connor Hellebuyck and Carey Price. This is a matchup not many have predicted, and it should be close; the Jets went 6-3-0 against the Habs during the season but three of those wins came via overtime.

Do the Golden Knights even stand a chance? A 7-1 shellacking and a temper tantrum that led to Ryan Reaves getting suspended for two games means Avalanche players won't have to worry about his antics in Games 2 and 3. Perhaps we can give the Knights a pass for facing a very talented and well-rested team, but they need to keep the games closer if they want to dig out of their hole.

GOALIES

Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. VGK ($8,500): Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if Robin Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury were in net. Fleury should get the start, but the Avs were dominant from puck drop and Grubauer needed to make just 24 saves for the win. It was the fourth time – including the regular season – the Avs held the Knights to just one goal.

Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. MON ($8,000): The Jets are at home and they should be more well-rested, which gives them the advantage. It's the same playbook as the Avs' performance in Game 1, where they had a full week of rest before facing a team that was just one day removed from a tense Game 7. As stout as the Habs' defense has been, goal scoring has been an ongoing issue, averaging just two per game in the playoffs.

VALUE PLAYS

Jake Evans, MON at WPG ($3,200): Tomas Tatar was scratched in favour of Evans, who skated on the top line with Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher. He didn't do a whole lot in 17 minutes, recording just one shot, but playing on the top line means his usage and offensive opportunities have increased significantly.

Tyson Jost, COL vs. VGK ($3,800): Jost had an assist in Game 1, giving him three points in his past four games and continues to really grow into a reliable top-nine center. Depending on the situation, both Jost and J.T. Compher have split centering duties behind Nathan MacKinnon, but Jost has a bit more upside with his role on PP2. Linemate Brandon Saad has also scored in four straight games.

Joonas Donskoi, COL vs. VGK ($4,000): Donskoi is shooting the puck a little more often these days, which can only increase his fantasy value. He's scored four points and 11 shots in five games in the playoffs, and also sees some time on PP1.

LINE STACKS

Canadiens at Jets

Nick Suzuki (C - $5,800), Cole Caufield (W - $3,300), Tyler Toffoli (W - $6,400)

Toffoli led the way with six goals and nine points in eight games against the Jets during the season, and the Suzuki-Caufield pairing is about as high-upside as you can get on the Habs, who don't really have any elite finishers and have trouble scoring 5v5 even though they are very good at controlling the play.

DEFENSEMEN

Shea Theodore, VGK at COL ($5,400): Theodore's been fairly quiet throughout the playoffs but I'm counting on a better effort from the Knights in Game 2, and Grubauer has yet to be really tested. Theodore's excellent at generating offense from the back end, and if the Avs defense breaks down a little, he might get a chance to grab a point or two. At his best, his upside is better than Alex Pietrangelo ($6,000) and comparable to Cale Makar ($6,000).

Samuel Girard, COL vs. VGK ($4,300): On most nights the Avs' top three defensemen – Girard, Makar and Devon Toews ($4,600) – all make significant contributions, and in a playoff in which they've dominated nearly every game, they're all pretty good fantasy options. However, Girard is the least expensive of the trio so he's potentially the bigger bargain.

Josh Morrissey, WPG vs. MON ($3,900): Morrissey was brilliant against the Oilers, logging heavy minutes and playing in all situations. He's not known for scoring and the Jets don't activate their defense very much on offense, but he's on the ice when it matters most and in the final two games against the Oilers scored four points with three shots and 10 blocked shots.

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.