This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Saturday's NHL main slate begins at 12:00 p.m. EDT and features two games: Game 3 of the Flyers-Islanders series and Game 3 of Golden Knights-Canucks. Below, you'll find an overview of the matchups and suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
Philadelphia and Vancouver both bounced back with Game 2 wins in their respective series after shutout losses in Game 1. The Flyers needed overtime to escape with a 4-3 victory after dropping the series opener 4-0, while the Canucks found their offense in a 5-2 win following a resounding 5-0 defeat.
GOALIES
Jacob Markstrom ($7,400) saved 38 of 40 shots in Game 2 after stopping only 29 of 34 shots in the series opener, returning to the excellent form he has demonstrated all playoffs en route to an 8-4 record, 2.64 GAA and .925 save percentage. This slate's cheapest goaltender carries the most risk, but his heavy workload against a Vegas team that likes to pepper the net with pucks also gives Markstrom the ability to carry lineups when he plays like he did in Game 2.
Robin Lehner's ($8,400) .909 save percentage this postseason is nothing to write home about, but he's still 6-2 with a 2.34 GAA. Vegas is this slate's biggest favorite, making Lehner a safe choice in net.
Semyon Varlamov ($7,800) posted back-to-back shutouts before allowing three goals in the first period of Game 2. Look for coach Barry Trotz to turn right back to his No. 1 goalie after Wednesday's setback, as Varlamov still has a sparkling 8-2 record, 1.76 GAA and .932 save percentage during this playoff run.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Anthony Beauvillier ($6,300) leads the Islanders with seven goals this postseason, and he has thrown in three assists in 11 contests. The winger's showing no signs of slowing down against the Flyers, with a goal on 11 shots through this series' first two games.
Kevin Hayes ($5,300) tallied twice in Game 2, bringing his postseason line to 3-6-9 in 11 games. Arguably Philadelphia's best player during this playoff run using the eye test is backing that notion up statistically.
Like Hayes for the Flyers, Vancouver's Bo Horvat ($6,300) also potted two goals for his team in a pivotal Game 2 win. That was the center's third two-goal performance of the playoffs, bringing his postseason line to 8-2-10 in 12 games.
Alex Tuch ($4,500) is providing some wonderful secondary scoring from the Golden Knights' third line. He has a three-game goal streak going and has added an assist during that streak as well, bringing the power forward up to six goals and two assists in 10 games this postseason.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Canucks vs. Golden Knights
Elias Pettersson (C - $7,300), Tyler Toffoli (W - $5,600), Tanner Pearson (W - $4,400)
Pettersson and Toffoli — the latter of whom was in his first game action since Aug. 2 — each had a goal and two assists in Game 2, while Pearson also lit the lamp to give each member of this line a goal in the game. The Swedish center's 5-11-16 line has him second in points this postseason, behind only Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon (20). Toffoli has a 7-6-13 line in 12 appearances for the Canucks since coming over from the Kings at the trade deadline. Pearson has a 4-3-7 line in the playoffs, and he could well pick up the pace now that this top line is back intact.
Golden Knights at Canucks
William Karlsson (C - $5,700), Max Pacioretty (W - $7,800), Mark Stone (C - $7,300)
Pacioretty and Stone are worth paying up for as this slate's two most expensive wingers. Patches has three goals, an assist and 15 shots in his last three games, as he has found the form that helped him lead the Golden Knights in both goals (32) and points (66) this season. Stone fell just three points shy of Pacioretty in the regular season and has a 5-5-10 line in the playoffs, while Karlsson has a 2-5-7 line.
Islanders vs. Flyers
Mathew Barzal (C - $6,400), Anders Lee (W - $7,000), Jordan Eberle (W - $5,300)
This line rarely produces explosive performances, but it's a high-floor group that often finds a way to generate a goal; all three of these guys recorded a point in Game 1, and only Eberle was held without one in Game 2. Barzal's nine points this postseason are third on the team behind Josh Bailey (11) and Beauvillier (10). Lee has five goals on 29 shots in his last seven games, and Eberle has chipped in a 3-3-6 line.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore's ($6,400) has earned his place as this slate's priciest blueliner. He has a 4-7-11 line in 10 games this postseason, which includes a 1-5-6 line and 21 shots over the past four games.
Alexander Edler ($4,500) is a terrific value considering he's tied for this slate's fifth-most expensive defenseman. His solid base of blocks and shots allows Edler to deliver in the fantasy realm regardless of whether his team wins or gets blown out. Both outcomes have happened in this series' first two games, and Edler sports a robust eight shots and eight blocks, as well as a pair of helpers.
Philippe Myers ($3,700) is quickly developing a penchant for big goals, as his Game 2 overtime winner was already his third marker of the postseason after a four-goal output in 50 regular season games. With five shots and four blocks over this series' first two games to go with the goal, the affordable 23-year-old has been Philadelphia's most effective defenseman in this series.
