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Tom Vecchio's top NHL DFS lineup picks on FanDuel, DraftKings for 4/11/18. Expert daily fantasy hockey advice, sleepers & player recommendations.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and we have a three-game slate to kick things off. 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 4/11/18. 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
Nolan Patrick - C, PHI @ PIT (DK - $4,500, FD - $4,700)
This game has an over-under set at six goals and based on how these teams play, plus the rivalry, we could be in for a high scoring and physical series. Patrick ended the season with five points in his last four games, which is great production for a rookie. He is seeing time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, which should provide him with plenty of upside at his cheaper price. Not a bad addition to a game stack, since we have seen these games get out of hand.
Blake Wheeler - W, WPG vs MIN (DK - $6,600, FD - $7,300)
Wheeler led the Jets this season with 91 points, and if you are stacking them up tonight, he is a player you want exposure to. He is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, and using one of those stacks is expensive, but could prove to have massive multi-point upside tonight. This is the playoffs, so we should lower scoring games, but the shifts for the lines should be a bit tighter, meaning more time for the top lines.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Kris Letang - D, PIT vs PHI (DK - $5,100, FD - $6,100)
In the regular season, Letang averaged over four shots and blocked shots combined. This means he is able to provide value in multiple areas, and not be reliant on scoring pure NHL points. He and the Penguins have plenty of playoff experience, and this should be one of the higher scoring series, so you want some exposure to this one. He had seven points in his last seven games of the season and is seeing time on the top power-play unit.
Shea Theodore - D, VGK vs LA (DK - $4,400, FD - $4,600)
Theodore has been too cheap all season, and now that we are in the playoffs, guess what? He is still cheap, so you want to take advantage of this. Yes this may not be the best offensive spot for him since he is up against a good defensive Kings team, but the shots on goal he brings, plus the blocked shots are enough to reach value. On a smaller slate like this, he should be viable in all formats because of the savings and production.
DFS Goalies to Consider
Jonathan Quick - G, LA @ VGK (DK - $7,400, FD - $8,900)
Quick is the most expensive goalie on FanDuel, but the seventh most expensive on DraftKings, so a bit of a difference there. Not really sure why there is a difference, but there are some backup goalies who are most expensive than him on DraftKings, so this could present an opening. Quick and the Kings have plenty of playoff experience, so it won't be a shock if they come away with the win in this series. All of the home teams are big favorites tonight, with the Kings being the smallest road dog here. Clearly a bit more of a GPP play but still has a decent chance to come away with the win.
