This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's pivotal Game 4s for the Panthers-Lightning (12:30 p.m. EDT), Penguins-Islanders (3 p.m.) and Golden Knights-Wild (8 p.m.). Going down 3-1 in a series is never ideal because – given the parity in the league – winning three straight is very, very tough. The matinee games are always more difficult to predict, though the all-Florida series has been close enough as it is. The Leafs will try to even the series against the Canadiens in Game 2 (7 p.m.) after an upset in the opener while Toronto will be without captain John Tavares indefinitely while Montreal won't have Jake Evans in the lineup.
GOALIES
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at MIN ($8,500): The Wild are not getting production from their top players, but it's hard to do so when you hardly ever touch the puck. Vegas has been dominant in this series and looked awesome in Game 3, so it would take a monumental collapse for them to lose the series.
Tristan Jarry, PIT at NYI ($8,200): The series is still up for grabs, but the Pens are getting top performances from their top players while the Isles' leading scorer is, um, Scott Mayfield. Their big line has managed zero goals so far and yet they continue to insist on playing Leo Komarov there to balance out their top-nine. The Pens will gladly keep taking that matchup advantage and Jarry's managed to hold the fort so far despite his playoff inexperience.
Jack Campbell, TOR vs. MON ($7,800): The Leafs looked a little shellshocked following a scary collision that resulted in Tavares being stretchered off. And while there's no replacing their captain, they should be able to even up the series given their scoring talent. Campbell was not at fault for the Game 1 loss having stopped 28 of 30 shots.
VALUE PLAYS
Alex Galchenyuk, TOR vs. MON ($3,700): The Leafs moved Nick Foligno to center on the second line and Galchenyuk has moved from the taxi squad right into the top-six. It's an interesting decision by the Leafs and perhaps there's some extra motivation to get revenge on his former team.
Ryan Hartman, MIN vs. VGK ($3,800): Hartman finally broke through with a goal after generating numerous chances in Games 1 and 2. He's been one of the Wild's best players even though the lack of production from wingers Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov is hurting him a little bit.
Sam Bennett, FLA at TB ($4,700): Few have been better than Playoff Sam, who's posted three points in two appearances this series. He's a great value play on a high-scoring team playing top-six minutes with a proven history of being able to elevate his game during the postseason.
LINE STACKS
Golden Knights at Wild
William Karlsson (C - $5,500), Reilly Smith (W - $4,800), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $6,700)
With Max Pacioretty out of the lineup and Alex Tuch still getting used to playing on the top line, this trio has once again emerged as Vegas' most consistent and reliable unit. They've been together since the beginning and their established chemistry has paid off while the Golden Knights juggle the rest of their lineup. They've also generated 36 shots attempts in 30:16 5v5 TOI with a 59.02 5v5 CF%, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Penguins at Islanders
Jeff Carter (W – $5,600), Jared McCann (C - $4,300), Frederick Gaudreau (W - $3,300)
Note Carter is listed as the winger on this line when he's actually playing in the middle, but either way the Carter-McCann pairing has been excellent for the Pens sporting a 59.38 5v5 CF% in 36:19 TOI, according to Natural Stat Trick. Those are exceptional numbers and they've been excellent with Gaudreau or Kapanen on their line. Although this is technically the Pens' third line, it's been one of the best producers and Evgeni Malkin is just returning from injury.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB vs. FLA ($6,600): It's pretty amazing Hedman has managed to play so well with six assists in three games, even though everyone knows he'll undergo surgery in the offseason. He's a solid play because this series has already combined for 24 goals and will likely stay this way given Florida's shaky goaltending.
Shea Theodore, VGK at MIN ($5,600): It's now eight straight Theodore has failed to register a point going back to the regular season. That's a long drought for him, but the points should come sooner than later given his usage and ability to generate offense. Vegas has dominated possession in this series with a 52.53 5v5 CF%, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Gustav Forsling, FLA at TB ($3,700): It's been a breakout performance for Forsling and MacKenzie Weegar in this series, and both are strong value plays considering their role. Forsling is the No. 2, but is a good skater with the ability to generate offense and finished with two points in 24 minutes last time out. As the series continues and the margin of error gets smaller, look for the Panthers to shorten their bench – as they did by scratching Keith Yandle last game – and lean on Forsling and Weegar.
