SLATE PREVIEW
Round 2 officially begins with the Stars facing the Avalanche at 8 p.m. EDT. All competitions on DraftKings are Flex contests because there's only one game tonight.
The Avs made quick work of the Coyotes, averaging more than four goals per game with a power play operating at 35 percent efficiency and ranking third among teams remaining in Shots/GP. The Stars scored just one fewer goal than the Avs in Round 1, but they played an extra game and their special teams have looked particularly horrible.
GOALIES
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. DAL ($15,900): It's probably best not to overthink this, so go with the favored Avs especially with their goal support. Grubauer is sporting a .960 save percentage at even strength, the best mark in the playoffs.
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. COL ($15,300): The Stars will likely announce their starter closer to puck drop, but it will probably be Khudobin because he's played better. The Flames' offense was not operating at its maximum potential, but the Avs' offense certainly is. Khudobin will be busy and is far more likely than Grubauer to hit the 35+ Save bonus.
VALUE PLAYS
Joel Kiviranta, DAL vs. COL ($2,000): He played in place of Mattias Janmark and finished with an assist and plus-4 rating, which should be enough to earn another playoff game. It's highly unlikely linemate Denis Gurianov will notch another four-goal game, but the chances will most certainly come with Joe Pavelski as their center as he's consistently proven a strong puck possession player and elevates the play of his wingers.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche vs. Stars
Nazem Kadri (C - $12,300), Andre Burakovsky (W - $10,500), Joonas Donskoi (W - $7,800)
The Avs' offense is red-hot and stacking the top line basically takes up all of the $50,000 salary limit, so why not grab the excellent second line for two-thirds the price? Kadri also plays on the top power play, while Burakovsky and Donskoi feature on the second unit.
DEFENSEMEN
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. COL ($11,700): There's a lot of star power on the blueline this series, but Heiskanen might be the best. His offensive production has recently outpaced Cale Makar and he also blocks plenty of shots.
Esa Lindell, DAL vs. COL ($9,300): Lindell's the unheralded No. 3 on the Stars blueline and he's also the best shot blocker when compared to Heiskanen and John Klingberg. The Avs' attack should come out firing with a plus-110 SAT differential to the Stars' plus-17.
Samuel Girard, COL vs. DAL ($5,000): The quality of defensemen falls off a quickly after Girard, so he could be a strong value play among the top-four rearguards. Makar will eat most of the minutes on the power play, but Girard remains the clear second choice ahead of Erik Johnson. The Avs also rank first among the remaining playoff teams with a plus-12 advantage in net penalties.
