This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's an odd schedule quirk with the Oilers and Canucks (3:30 p.m. EDT) still finishing off their regular season while the Bruins and Capitals (7:15 p.m.) start their Round 1 playoff series. FanDuel is only offering an all-day slate.
GOALIES
Thatcher Demko, VAN at EDM ($6,800): It may be in Vancouver's best interest to lose so they can get a higher draft pick. Demko has been hung out to dry all season by the defense, but look for the Oilers to take their foot off the pedal as they gear up for the playoffs. At the other end of the ice is Mikko Koskinen, who has struggled with a 2-3-0 with a .877 Sv% against the Canucks this season.
Tuukka Rask, BOS at WSH ($7,800): It's a good value play for Rask, who faced the Caps three times this season and only allowed five even-strength goals. His two losses also came in extra time while the Caps' offense may be hurt with Evgeny Kuznetsov still in COVID protocol.
VALUE PLAYS
Matthew Highmore, VAN at EDM ($3,500): Highmore has produced two points in three games since moving up the lineup and will likely play with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. While Highmore's main role will likely be forechecking and puck retrieval, his willingness to go to the dirty areas may continue to pay off.
Lars Eller, WSH vs. BOS ($4,800): Eller will continue to center the second line with Kuznetsov unavailable and will see a lot of minutes with the Caps' lack of depth down the middle. Offense may not be Eller's No. 1 priority as Washington's top checking center and will have his hands full with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, but he did score three goals against the Bruins during the season and a bigger role could lead to more opportunities.
Anthony Mantha, WSH vs. BOS ($5,000): Mantha comes at a discount because his scoring has cooled off considerably since his first few games with the Caps, but he's in a favorable situation with Nicklas Backstrom in the middle and Alex Ovechkin on the opposite wing. Look for Washington to lean on this line given their lack of scoring depth on the other units.
LINE STACKS
Bruins at Capitals
Patrice Bergeron (C - $7,800), Brad Marchand (W - $8,200), David Pastrnak (W - $7,600)
Pastrnak's cold streak was concerning, but he heads into the playoffs on a heater with a goal and four assists over his past four contests. The Perfection Line has been excellent against the Caps all season by combining for 30 points (!) and a plus-31 (!) in seven.
DEFENSEMEN
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. VAN ($6,500): Not sure how much Barrie will play at even strength, but his spot on the power play is virtually untouchable. He posted four points in a four-game series against the Canucks earlier this season and continues to be productive when on the ice with Connor McDavid, which happens more often than not.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS as WSH ($5,600): McAvoy managed five points with a plus-9 across five games against the Caps during the year and look for him to log plenty of minutes. He's tallied three points in his past three and is likely the best D option in this matchup since the Caps' blueline has struggled against the Bruins.
Jack Rathbone, VAN at EDM ($3,600): The Canucks haven't generated much offense from their defense of late, which makes Rathbone a decent value play since Quinn Hughes and Nate Schmidt haven't put up many points. Rathbone offers offensive upside, skates on the power play and has managed to get at least one shot on goal in every appearance.
