This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Both the Canucks and Flyers can advance to Round 2 with a win, though they have taken drastically different routes to do so. The Canucks ripped through the qualifying round and the first two games but allowed the Blues to tie it up before taking Game 5, as momentum continues to swing wildly. If the Blues lose, it will be the second consecutive postseason the defending champion has been knocked out in the first round.
Speaking of parity and razor-thin margins, the Flyers lead the series 3-2 even though they've scored just eight goals in five games. Goaltending will likely once again be the decider in this series, and note the Habs will be without Brendan Gallagher, their shots leader in both the season and playoffs.
GOALIES
Carter Hart, PHI vs. MON ($8,600): The only other time Hart allowed four goals in this series, he posted back-to-back shutouts in the following games. Neither team has generated much offense, so piling up the saves is probably out of the question for both goalies unless the game goes into overtime.
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. STL ($8,200): Markstom's allowed three goals in each of the past four games but only because he faces a barrage of shots all the time; he's faced 34 shots or more in all but one game.
VALUE PLAYS
Joel Farabee, PHI vs. MON ($3,500): He's been quiet so far but played 16 minutes in Game 5 and scored on the power play, bringing his total to three goals in six games. Alain Vigneault has juggled his lines in an effort to find a spark and Farabee's line with Travis Konecny and Kevin Hayes fared quite well, generating a team-high 11 shot attempts at even strength, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Michael Raffl, PHI vs. MON ($3,400): He gets second- or third-line minutes most games, but will also see the occasional shift playing next to top center Sean Couturier. He didn't score in Game 5 but managed to get four shots on net, tied second-most on the team in Game 5.
Jake Virtanen, VAN vs. STL ($3,200): He brings an element of speed and size that matches up well against the heavy Blues, but more importantly, Virtanen is seeing his minutes increase game-by-game. He played parts of Game 5 on the top line with Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, and they generated nine shot attempts despite playing just 3:30 together at even strength, according to NST. His mercurial play will prompt Travis Green to move him up and down the lineup, but with the right linemates, Virtanen possesses significant upside.
Adam Gaudette, VAN vs. STL ($3,000): Returning to the lineup since the opening game of the qualifying round, Gaudette was noticeable in just seven minutes of play in Game 5, throwing out three hits and blocking two shots. That's not really his game, but it was a good effort that hopefully leads to more minutes for the Hobey Baker winner. He has a wicked shot that the Canucks may find useful if their top line gets shut down again.
LINE STACKS
Flyers vs. Canadiens
Kevin Hayes (C - $5,000), Joel Farabee (W - $3,500), Travis Konecny (W - $5,700)
This is a fun line because they both generate and allow a lot of scoring chances, but it's the best Flyers stack because all three players feature on the power play, albeit on different units. On Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux's lines, only two of the three forwards see action on the power play.
Canucks vs. Blues
Elias Pettersson (C - $7,400), J.T. Miller (W - $6,900), Jake Virtanen ($3,200)
Pettersson has the highest salary at center and Miller is third, but Virtanen's salary brings the total way down. The Blues had difficulty containing Travis Green's new top line, though it's anyone's guess how much Virtanen will play and how Green will juggle his lines once the puck drops.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. STL ($5,600): He's also a strong value play at this salary because of his offensive upside. He definitely tops the list among defensemen for Friday's slate among power play quarterbacks.
Alexander Edler, VAN vs. STL ($4,500): He played just 13 minutes in Game 5 after getting his ear cut by a skate but he's expected to be healthy for Game 6. He simply does everything for the Canucks, and his dedication to blocking shots gives him a high floor for managers looking for dependable production.
Jeff Petry, MON vs. PHI ($4,400): The Habs rely pretty much on three defensemen, and Petry's probably the best bang for your buck. His salary is lower than Shea Weber's and he has much more offensive upside than Ben Chiarot. He'll log big minutes in an elimination game.
Vince Dunn, STL vs. VAN ($3,600): Alex Pietrangelo comes with a hefty premium but his offensive production makes it a tough sell. Dunn plays about half the minutes but he's arguably their most creative player on the blue line. He's registered a shot in every game this series.
