FanDuel NHL: Thursday Targets

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Published on June 10, 2021

SLATE PREVIEW

It's an elimination game for the Avalanche as they head into enemy territory to try and save their season. The Golden Knights have been incredible since getting lit up in Game 1, which included travel and short rest after the Wild pushed them to seven games while the Avs had a week-long rest following a sweep of the Blues.

The Knights have won their past three playoff games at home by a 14-5 margin in goals and hold a 169-130 edge in shots for the series. The Avs seem to have lost a step after blistering through the first round, and it's the Knights' aggressive forecheck and ability to slow the Avs down in the neutral zone that has been making a big difference.

Puck drop is at 9 p.m. EDT.

As with all FanDuel showdown formats, a Captain can be selected for 1.5x fantasy points and the remaining roster spots are not restricted by position.

GOALIES

No goalies are available for selection in showdown formats.

VALUE PLAYS

Brandon Saad, COL at VGK ($9,500): Hard to go wrong with Saad right now, who has scored seven goals in the playoffs, including four against Vegas. Hot streaks can end any time, but there's some added value with Saad moving to the top line in Gabriel Landeskog's usual spot as the Avs try to balance out their attack.

Mattias Janmark, VGK vs. COL ($8,000): Janmark notched an assist in his return and he's a good play at home with five of his seven points coming on home ice. Vegas' depth has been a strength for them this series, and having Alex Tuch on the other wing gives Janmark a boost.

LINE STACKS

William Karlsson (C - $10,500), Reilly Smith (W - $8,500), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $13,500)

Karlsson leads Vegas in scoring so there's good value there, and Marchessault has been incredible over the past two games and leads the team in goals. Vegas gets last change on home ice and that should make a difference in front of what should be a very raucous home crowd. Karlsson and Marchessault have combined for 18 points this postseason, 11 of which have come on home ice.

DEFENSEMEN

Shea Theodore, VGK vs. COL ($9,000): Theodore is generally a good choice in showdown matches because he produces offense like a forward and jumps up on the play a lot. He's been relatively quiet scoring-wise the entire playoffs, but he continues to generate a lot of shots.

Samuel Girard, COL at VGK ($8,000): Both Girard and Devon Toews ($8,500) are potential value plays with their usage. They don't create offense quite like Cale Makar, but Vegas has done a pretty good job of limiting the Avs' scoring chances anyway, and in showdown formats picking Girard and Toews saves you a little money to spend on forwards, who tend to outscore defensemen most nights.

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