This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Casey Cizikas promised we're going to "see a different team" for Game 6, and they'll have to be after getting embarrassed 8-0 in Tampa. The Lightning will certainly carry a lot of momentum after a dominant performance, but the Nassau crowd is raucous and the Islanders are usually much better at home, averaging nearly one more goal per game than on the road.
The Isles' performance in Game 5 was uncharacteristically bad, and Cizikas is probably right — partly because they couldn't be any worse. But can they fend off the Lightning, who account for the top five scorers in the playoffs, including points leader Nikita Kucherov and goals leader Brayden Point?
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. EDT.
As with all FanDuel showdown formats, no goalies are available for selection and a Captain can be designated for 1.5x fantasy points. The remaining roster spots are not restricted by position.
VALUE PLAYS
Nikita Kucherov, TB at NYI ($14,500): I don't mention top players in this space because it's a given that you need a few elite players on your team to at least be competitive in your contest. But with 27 points and coming at "just" $14,500, it bears mentioning that Kucherov is a bargain at his current rate of production. No one else comes close.
Anthony Beauvillier, NYI vs. TB ($8,500): I've struck out multiple times leaning on Beauvillier and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, hoping they'd snap their slump at some point. It's do-or-die now, and if the Isles push for a Game 7, depth scoring was probably a winning factor.
Casey Cizikas, NYI vs. TB ($8,000): Do we start with the player who promised changes? Cizikas and the fourth line have often been their most reliable, and with their backs against the wall, they will have to do their best to disrupt the Lightning's flow. The offensive upside isn't very high, but we know they're very good at generating turnovers and Cizikas has recorded a shot in every game this series.
Anthony Cirelli, TB at NYI ($6,500): We didn't get the offensive pop we wanted from Cirelli in Game 5, who pitched in with just one helper in an 8-0 win. Good news: he's still playing well and both of his wingers have been excellent.
LINE STACKS
Brayden Point ($15,000), Nikita Kucherov ($14,500), Ondrej Palat ($9,500)
Stack Tampa's top line and you still have enough room to grab Cirelli or a third or fourth-line player who's been performing well. There's always a chance the Isles shut down their offense for one more game, but it's difficult to keep them off the board.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman, TB at NYI ($12,500): Hedman's the only defenseman who has similar fantasy value to a forward. He scored two assists with one shot and three blocked shots in Game 5.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB at NYI ($6,500): With both Erik Cernak and Jan Rutta possibly unavailable, look for Sergachev to play more minutes. He doesn't score a lot of points but he does a number of things very well, including moving the puck, so hopefully those chances will lead to a helper or two. Sergachev is more of a potential value play.
