This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Hockey series.
With the Lightning having already advanced to the conference finals, Yahoo is running a two-day, three-game slate for Wednesday and Thursday. It will kick off at 8 p.m. EDT between the Avalanche and Stars and round out at 9:45 p.m. EDT on Thursday between the Golden Knights and Canucks. This will be the second elimination game for each series, as the Stars, Flyers and Canucks have all bought themselves a few more nights in the bubble with Game 5 wins. It'll be an exciting slate, so get in on the DFS action with the following players...
GOALIE
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. VGK ($25): Demko showed a level of unexpected brilliance in Tuesday's Game 5 win -- his first career playoff start -- that we've only since in the likes of Matt Murray and Jordan Binnington. That's not to say the Canucks are headed for the Cup, but they're an extremely talented bunch that has already taken down the defending champs and got a much-needed boost from the crease. Roll with the 24-year-old as they look to force a Game 7.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Carter Hart, PHI vs. NYI ($34): Hart had yielded three goals in four straight games, and while he faces a high shot volume, the Islanders are still controlling game flow and looking like the stronger bunch. That will be especially true if Sean Couturier -- a Selke-caliber center -- can't suit up after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Mathew Barzal in Game 5.
CENTER
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. PHI ($18): Nelson continues to drive offense on the Islanders' second line next to underrated wingers Josh Baily and Anthony Beauvillier, and Nelson has capitalized with three goals on eight shots over the last two contests. The Islanders will look to put the Flyers away Thursday, and Nelson is integral to those efforts.
CENTER TO AVOID
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. COL ($21): This salary is reasonable for a first-line center that works on the power play, but Seguin matches those traits in name only. He's averaged just 15:15 of ice time this series and has failed to record a point in two straight outings while directing just four shots on net.
WING
Brock Boeser, VAN vs. VGK ($19): Boeser was relegated to the third line for a bit, but in an elimination game, head coach Travis Greene placed him back in his rightful first-line role. The 23-year-old came through in spectacular fashion, scoring the game-tying goal in the second period and assisting on the game-winner in the third. He's an electric player when he hits his groove, so don't miss out on another Boeser night in Edmonton.
Andre Burakovsky, COL vs. DAL ($19): Burakovsky has enjoyed his time on the second line, registering three goals and as many assists -- all at even strength -- over the last three games. What's even more intriguing about his ceiling is that he's logging consistent power-play minutes, and the Stars' penalty kill (81.1 percent) is just a tick above mediocre this postseason.
WING TO AVOID
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. VAN ($22): Fully on the Demko bandwagon, it's difficult to select Golden Knights for DFS purposes. Especially when there's a low floor like Smith has. He's directed more than one shot on net just one time this series, and while he has posted a point in three of five games, those other two contests were equally as damaging to rosters. That volatility is unappealing Thursday.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. NYI ($18): Voracek has failed to post a point in this series, and now he could be without Couturier from the aforementioned injury. That would mean Kevin Hayes -- a formidable replacement -- will get the bump to the first line, making a top-heavy offense that the Islanders can key in on. Voracek's ceiling is capped low as a result.
DEFENSE
Cale Makar, COL vs. DAL ($23): Makar started his NHL career in the playoffs, and he looks quite comfortable in August, racking up seven points -- two with the man advantage -- through the last four contests. He consistently logs major ice time, too, and that won't stop in another elimination contest, so fire him up on his own or in a stack with other Avalanche superstars.
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. COL ($18): Heiskanen is a star even if he's not widely recognized as such. The 21-year-old can take over games and bank 25 minutes per contest, and he'll carry a six-game, nine-point streak into this matchup. His salary is criminally low for the upside he brings to the table.
DEFENSE TO AVOID
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. VGK ($19): It's painful to put a potential Calder Trophy winner in this column, but his ice time has been so flaky lately. In three of five games this series, he's played less than 20 minutes, failing to fire a shot on net in each of those contests. We expect dominance from Hughes, and since we're not getting it, let others take the bait in tournaments.
Ivan Provorov, PHI vs. NYI ($17): Provorov has just one point in regulation through the first five games of this series, and he's posted a minus-3 rating before overtime as well. He's not generating many chances, either, as he's recorded just 2.07 xGF/60, per Natural Stat Trick, which ranks sixth on the team among blueliners.
