The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and we have a two-game slate. With this smaller slate, you will likely have to eat a bit of chalk in some spots but should be looking to differentiate where you can.
Vegas lines are big when it comes to picking games to target, and that's a good place to start for goalies. When it comes to skaters, goal totals is another main place to start. Usually, 5.5 goals are average, so targets game at six, and can look for goalies in games with a total of five.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/26/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFS_Tom. Let's get to it, shall we?
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DFS Forwards to Consider
Alex Ovechkin - W, WAS vs PIT (DK - $7,700, FD - $8,600)
The Capitals are past the Blue Jackets, and now facing down the Penguins, which will make this the third straight season they face them in the playoffs. The Capitals certainly showed their struggles on defense in the first round, but their offense was able to put up three or more goals in each of the six games in the first round. Ovi had eight points himself and took a team-high 33 shots. Only a two-game slate, so look to get him in as many spots as you can.
Dominik Simon - W, PIT @ WAS (DK - $3,800, FD - $3,400)
With Evgeni Malkin set to miss Game 1, Simon will be up on the second forward line and the second power-play. Love him in a stack for GPPs tonight, since he comes so cheap and had two assists in the time he saw in round one. Not sure how long Malkin will be out for, so if Simon is this cheap and has this much playing time in front of him, he makes a great salary saver.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Shea Theodore - D, VGK vs SJ (DK - $4,200, FD - $4,700)
Theodore is a cheaper option at defense and is seeing time on the first power-play unit, so he has some offensive upside, which he isn't always known for. He is up against the Sharks, who have a 51 Corsi against over the past month. This means they give up a ton of shots, which means plenty of chances for points just from shots, along with the upside from the power-play.
Brent Burns - D, SJ @ VGK (DK - $6,600, FD - $7,300)
I've been all over Burns this season, and no slowing down now. He takes shots, blocks shots, on the first power-play, simply doing it all for the Sharks. He is the most expensive defender on both sites, so you will have to pay up to get him, but his production is worth it. Good for all formats tonight, and should be very popular on an only two game slate.
DFS Goalies to Consider
Goalies are tough to nail down on a two-game slate. You pick one goalie and then shouldn't be rostering players against him, which can be tough on a smaller slate. There is no easy matchup, as we are in the playoffs, so truly tough to have a "safe" option.