NHL DFS Showdown Playbook: New York Islanders vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Published: Jun 19, 2021
New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning June 19th, 2021
Spread: TB -1.5
O/U: 5
Injuries
Islanders
None
Lightning
None
MVP/CPT
Nikita Kucherov , F TB
Kucherov just continues to rack up the points. He has at least a point in the last five games.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, G TB
There might not be a safer floor in this game than Vasilevskiy. He hasn’t given up more than two goals in just two of his last nine games.
Ryan Pulock D NYI
Should this be a low scoring game, Pulock is in a place where he can get you points without hitting the scoreboard. He blocks shots on a regular basis, but he will also give you shots and he has scored in two of his last three games.
Mid-Tier
Victor Hedman, D TB
The blocks came back for Hedman in game 3, and he keeps getting points. You can use Hedman in the captain spot, but he does have one of the safer floors.
Scott Mayfield, D NYI
Mayfield missed the block total for the first time in three games last game, but I still love the floor with Mayfield. I expect he will surpass the three block total again tonight.
Mathew Barzal, F NYI
After a slow start to the playoffs, Barzal has really turned things around as of late. He has scored in four of his last five games played, and he has scored in back-to-back games.
Brayden Point, F TB
With points in six straight games, Point continues to get it done. He is point dependent, because he doesn’t offer many shots or blocks, but he is in a good place to get points.
Value Tier
Blake Coleman F TB
Coleman has points in back-to-back games, and you will need the points to hit value as he won’t shoot or block shots.
Ryan McDonagh F TB
McDonagh is a player that can hit the block bonus and still give you some shots. He isn’t likely to get you any points, but in low scoring games, those points are valuable.
Noah Dobson, D NYI
Dobson is a nice value play. He is the primary defensemen on the Islanders power play, which is a nice path for him to get points.
Prize Picks
Victor Hedman Over 3.5 Fantasy Points - Over
Hedman can get you to 3.5 fantasy points with shots and blocks alone, so if he can get a point or an extra shot or block then you’re going to be over on this one.
Semyan Varlamov 28.5 Saves - Under
Varlamov has been under 29 saves in 3 of this last four games, and with the Islanders likely to do everything they can to slow down the Lightning, I expect this to be another game where Varlamov hits the under.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.