This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are four games Thursday, with the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks both facing elimination. The Rangers-Habs and Sharks-Oilers series are both tied 2-2 as the higher seeds return to home ice for huge Game 5 matchups. Here are a number of players to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. NYR ($8,800): The Rangers are generating the second-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five of any team in action Thursday, and New York has been held to two goals or fewer in three of this series' four games. Price sports a .942 save percentage in these playoffs, and he posted a 23-11-3 record with a .929 save percentage and 2.09 GAA at home during the regular season.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. CLM ($8,900): After posting an unmatched 3.74 points per 60 minutes in the regular season, Malkin has two goals, eight points and 12 shots through the first four games of the playoffs. Considering his 137 career playoff points through just 128 games, he's a lineup lock with Columbus allowing 13.69 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five during the series.
Alex Galchenyuk, MON vs. NYR ($5,200): The 23-year-old pivot has been bouncing all over the lineup and has just two assists through the first four games of this low-scoring series. However, he finished Tuesday's game on an intriguing line with Alexander Radulov and Artturi Lehkonen. During the regular season, Galchenyuk and Radulov combined for 3.14 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. NAS ($8,500): With a goal and nine shots on net during Game 3, Kane did his part in the attempt to avoid a 3-0 hole in the series. Expect more of the same Thursday, especially since last year's Hart Trophy winner is averaging 23:59 of ice time (3:04 on the power play) through the first four games; he also has 50 goals and 122 points through 126 career playoff contests.
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. CLM ($7,300): With the No. 1 line garnering most of the attention (both from the media and the Blue Jackets), Kessel's hot start to the playoffs might be flying under the radar. He's collected a goal, five points and 17 shots while averaging 3:18 of power-play time during the first four games. The veteran sniper's also now up to 24 goals and 49 points through 50 career playoff games.
Artturi Lehkonen, MON vs. NYR ($3,900): For those a chasing a little narrative incentive, Lehkonen paced the Swedish Hockey League in scoring during a championship run last spring, so he has some noteworthy playoff experience. The rookie posted an impressive 9.5 shots per 60 minutes at five-on-five during the regular season and could continue playing with Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov in Game 5. All packaged up, Lehkonen offers upside at an affordable salary.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SAN at EDM ($7,300): Everything came together for San Jose in Game 4, and Burns notched three power-play helpers and five shots after being held off the scoresheet in the first three games against Edmonton. For the series, Burns is up to 18 shots and eight blocked shots over four games, so not only does his offensive upside provide a high ceiling, but his peripheral coverage offers a comfortable floor.
Ryan Ellis, NAS at CHI ($5,000): Targeting defensemen with elite blue-line partners can be a sneaky path to fantasy upside, and Ellis has been awesome during the playoffs alongside Roman Josi. Ellis has a goal and an assist with 11 shots and nine blocked shots through the first three games, and he's also coming off a career-best regular season.
