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Tom Vecchio's top NHL DFS lineup picks on FanDuel, DraftKings for 4/20/18. Expert daily fantasy hockey advice, sleepers & player recommendations.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and we have a four-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 4/20/18. 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
Patrik Laine - W, WPG vs MIN (DK - $7,000, FD - $7,700)
Laine has four points in four games this series, along with 14 shots. He is really racking up the fantasy points, and with him seeing time on the first power-play unit, you want him on your rosters. The Jets have outshot the Wild by a large margin this series, so now they are back at home, we will see slightly more favorable matchups for the Jets lines. They have a chance to close out the series with a win tonight, so we should there best effort tonight.
Jake Guentzel - W, PIT vs PHI (DK - $6,000, FD - $5,800)
Guentzel is up on the top forward line and the first power-play now due to an injury to Patric Hornqvist, so you want to take advantage of this. He has three points in the last two games of this series and has taken fives shots in that span. Don't really need a ceiling game from him, but just the same production he has been putting out. Simply being on the ice with Crosby and Malkin can get him some points.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Jacob Trouba - D, WPG vs MIN (DK - $4,200, FD - $4,700)
The Jets are dealing with some issues on defense, with one player injured, and one suspended, so we should see a larger role for Trouba. As of now, he is projected to be on the first defensive pairing and the second power-play, so some opportunity for him to capitalize on. He isn't the largest offensive threat in the world, but he takes and blocks enough shots per game to rack up the fantasy points with a real NHL point.
Matt Dumba - D, MIN @ WPG (DK - $5,200, FD - $4,600)
Dumba might be the most consistent player for the Wild and is doing a bit of everything for them. He has one goal, one assist, taken nine shots and blocked eight shots in these first four games. Still seems a bit too cheap on FanDuel, and you should be locking him into all of your cash games. Not a "ton" of offensive upside, but he does see time on the first power-play, so some opportunity for him.
DFS Goalies to Consider
Pekka Rinne - G, NSH vs COL (DK - $8,200, FD - $8,800)
This is it. The Predators are home with a chance to close out the series and come in as -290 favorites at home, which should make him a lock to come away with the win. He has been giving up a few goals each game, but the saves should be there to even out any goals he lets in. He is one of the more expensive options on the slate, but still worth paying up for.
