Friday we move to Game 3s, which means a change of venue. Four teams get their first chance to play at home. Only one team Friday is still facing the chance of being swept, the Islanders, so we have some good series going. Here are the players to target, and to avoid, for your lineups.
GOALIE
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. CAR ($34): I just mentioned the Islanders, and Sorokin is as good as any goalie you’re going to find in the NHL. He had a 2.34 GAA and .924 save percentage this year after having a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage last season. For what it’s worth, he had an 1.91 GAA and .935 save percentage at home, and now the Islanders are indeed at home to face the Hurricanes.
GOALIE TO AVOID
Linus Ullmark, BOS at FLA ($34): This is not me overreacting to Game 2, when the Panthers surprisingly poured it on the Bruins. It’s about Florida actually having a potent offense. The Panthers averaged 3.51 goals per game, but also led the NHL with 36.8 shots on net per contest. Now this series moves to the Sunshine State, so I am a little hesitant to pay Ullmark’s salary Friday.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. EDM ($26): Kopitar didn’t have a point in Game 2 after having four in Game 1, but what he did have, once again, was over five minutes of power-play time. That kind of opportunity with the extra man boosts a player’s fantasy upside. This is especially true given that the Oilers had the 20th-ranked penalty kill this season.
CENTER TO AVOID
Bo Horvat, NYI vs. CAR ($20): Horvat was racking up goals with the Canucks prior to being dealt to the Islanders, but over his last 21 games he’s only lit the lamp twice. Scoring against the Hurricanes, with either of their goalies in net, is difficult because of their defensive prowess. Carolina was first in shots on net allowed per game and second in penalty-kill percentage this season.
WING
Tyler Bertuzzi, BOS at FLA ($20): Bertuzzi picked up a point in Game 2, staying hot and stretching his point streak to six contests. While the Panthers got the win in Game 2, they still allowed three goals. Alex Lyon has a career .903 save percentage, so he’s not likely to be the one to lead Florida to success.
Evander Kane, EDM at LOS ($20): Kane has a three-game point streak, which means he has a point in both games of this series. He’s long excelled at putting pucks on net, and he had 146 shots on goal in 41 regular-season games this year. The Kings were good at suppressing shots this season, but Joonas Korpisalo has faced 76 shots…