FanDuel NHL: Friday Targets

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Published on June 25, 2021

SLATE PREVIEW

It's do or die between the Islanders and the Lightning, with the winner going on to face the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final starting Monday.

The big question for the Lightning will be the status of leading scorer Nikita Kucherov, who took a nasty crosscheck from Scott Mayfield and did not return for the start of the second period. The Lightning managed to make the playoffs without Kucherov, but they also wouldn't have made it this far without him. That's going to put extra pressure on top goal scorer Brayden Point, and it may force Jon Cooper to dress an 11-7 lineup again depending on Erik Cernak's status.

The Islanders will carry some momentum after an overtime victory in front of their fans. The last time they were in Tampa, they were embarrassed 8-0. And despite their winning record on the road (5-4) this postseason, they carry a negative goal differential (minus-9).

Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT.

As with all FanDuel showdown formats, no goalies are available for selection and a Captain can be designated for 1.5x fantasy points. The remaining roster spots are not restricted by position.

VALUE PLAYS

Alex Killorn, TB vs. NYI ($9,000): Killorn tallied three points in Game 5's big win and his 15 goals during the regular season were tied for third on the team. If Kucherov doesn't play, Killorn will have to step up his game and provide some offense from the wing. He's a pretty unique player in their lineup with his strength and ability to score from in close.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, NYI at TB ($7,500): Based on Natural Stat Trick's models, Pageau and Travis Zajac are the only two players who have yet to be on the ice for a goal at 5v5. It's true that Pageau's line has been getting caved in and spending a lot of time defending, but the difference between their xGF and GF is the largest on the club. In the long run, xGF and GF tend to align, so perhaps Pageau is due to get a bounce or two.

LINE STACKS

Brock Nelson ($10,500), Anthony Beauvillier ($11,500), Josh Bailey ($9,000)

Both of the Isles' top trios managed to find the score sheet in Game 6. And even though the Lightning are favored, it sure feels like an upset could happen. Nelson's unit has been the most consistent at generating offense and Beauvillier snapping a 10-game goal drought is a positive sign. Of note, Bailey, Beauvillier and Nelson rank first, fourth and sixth in road scoring for the Isles.

DEFENSEMEN

Victor Hedman, TB vs. NYI ($12,000): It's always tough to count on defensemen in showdown formats, but Hedman represents the cream of the crop and by far the best this series. When it comes to offense, he's far more reliable than any Isles D-man and I'm pretty positive no one picked Scott Mayfield to score the game-tying goal. Hedman ranks fifth on the Lightning in scoring and first among defensemen in the playoffs with a nine-point lead over Noah Dobson, the Isles' leading blueliner.

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.