This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
Sunday's two-game NHL slate beginning at 3:00 PM Eastern time features closeout opportunities for the Lightning and Golden Knights, who have a 3-1 series lead over the Bruins and a 3-2 lead over the Sharks, respectively. Read on to see which players are primed to step up in this critical moment and which are likely to wilt under the pressure.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SJ vs. VGK ($27): Once again, Jones is so much cheaper than any alternative goaltender that it's tough to turn him down. He comes in at least $5 below each of the other three starters despite boasting a 2.29 GAA and .926 save percentage this postseason, both of which rank second in this slate behind only $38 netminder Marc-Andre Fleury. Plus, Jones gets a boost in value from playing at home here.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Tuukka Rask, BOS at TB ($32): Since riding the offense to a 6-2 win in Game 1, Rask has allowed at least three goals in each subsequent game for a total of 10. Considering Tampa Bay's offense led the league with 3.54 goals per game this season, Rask's chances of limiting the Lightning on the road aren't great.
CENTER
Patrice Bergeron, BOS at TB ($29): You can't blame Boston's 3-1 series deficit on Bergeron, who has six goals and 10 points over a five-game point streak dating back to Game 7 of the Toronto series. The two-way stud has a pair of two-goal performances in these four games against the Lightning, and he's averaging five shots per contest against Tampa Bay as well. Bergeron won't go quietly with his season on the line, so expect greatness from him even if his team ends up falling short.
CENTER TO AVOID
Steven Stamkos, TB vs. BOS ($26): Stamkos has lit the lamp in consecutive games, but he still appears to be operating at less than 100 percent considering he hasn't topped 18 minutes of ice time yet in this series after averaging 18:46 during the season. It's best to either pay up for Bergeron or save a few bucks at center in this situation.
WINGS
Logan Couture, SJ vs. VGK ($22): Vegas has had no answer for Couture, as illustrated by his seven points in the past four games. The talented forward has generally approached elite status when healthy, and he looks to be operating at 100 percent right now. This could be your last chance to utilize Couture this season, so don't miss out.
J.T. Miller, TB vs. BOS ($15): This is a good buy-low opportunity on Miller, who has helpers in back-to-back games and continues to skate on the top line with Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Including the playoffs, the former Rangers forward has 24 points (11 goals) in 28 appearances since coming over at the trade deadline, so his price is unlikely to dip below its current $15 mark.
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WINGS TO AVOID
Timo Meier, SJ vs. VGK ($17): Meier has usually left owners wanting more in recent games, scoring fewer than 2.0 fantasy points in four of the last six while exceeding 14 minutes of ice time just twice in that span. There are much better options out there than the overpriced third-liner.
Jake DeBrusk, BOS at TB ($16): DeBrusk's dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it appears to be taking a serious toll on his game. He's averaging just 1.2 fantasy points over the past three contests, so use DeBrusk at your own risk right now.
DEFENSEMEN
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at TB ($13): McAvoy ranked second on Boston's blue line with seven power-play points this season, so he's the leading candidate to move up to the first unit with Torey Krug (lower body) ruled out for Game 5. That move would raise McAvoy's offensive upside, and he's already a decent value at $13 given his boatload of playing time as Zdeno Chara's defense partner at even strength.
Brayden McNabb, VGK at SJ ($13): McNabb's one of the cheaper options on a balanced Vegas blue line, but he's proven capable of stepping up this postseason with 7.8 or more fantasy in half of his past six games. He's also skated 23:36 or more in three of those contests, so McNabb should get plenty of opportunities to rack up value without burning a hole in your wallet.
DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID
Shea Theodore, VGK at SJ ($19): Theodore has taken the phrase "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" to heart, as he's been completely unable to carry over any home success to the road. He's averaging 10.7 fantasy points in five home games this postseason and just 2.3 in his four road games. Game 6 is in San Jose, so odds are Theodore's in for another quiet effort.
Dan Girardi, TB vs. BOS ($16): Girardi's come alive with two goals and an assist over his past four games, but that production is unlikely to be a sign of things to come. He had been held off the scoresheet in each of his previous six contests before this hot streak while failing to top 4.0 fantasy points during that stretch. Considering he had only 18 points in 77 regular-season appearances, that six-game cold spell is more representative of Girardi's true ability than his subsequent outburst.
