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Tom Vecchio's top NHL DFS lineup picks on FanDuel, DraftKings for 5/1/18. Expert daily fantasy hockey advice, sleepers & player recommendations.
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 5/1/18. 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
Paul Stastny - C, WPG vs NSH (DK - $4,800, FD - $5,400)
Stastny has two points in the first two games this series and six points overall in the playoff. The Jets stole Game 1 on the road and are now looking to hold home ice and regain the series lead. Stastny is on the first power-play and the second forward line, so we are looking at plenty of ice time. He can also chip in plenty with shots and blocked shots, so there are multiple ways for him to tally up points.
Alex Ovechkin - WAS @ PIT (DK - $7,700, FD - $8,800)
Ovechkin has goals in four of his last five games and is looking to take the series lead on the road. You know what you are getting when you roster Ovi, which is hat-trick potential, and the ability to be the highest scoring player on the slate. The shots on goal and the power-play potential for him will give him plenty of chances to put points on the board.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Jacob Trouba - D, WPG vs NSH (DK - $4,300, FD - $4,700)
If you like consistency, then you want some Trouba in your lineups. He has taken two or more shots in six of the seven games this season, along with two or more blocked shots in five of seven games. He isn't seeing time on the power-play, but still over 20 minutes per game. Not banking on the offensive upside from him, rather just fill in the stat sheet in other areas.
Justin Schultz - D, PIT vs WAS (DK - $4,000, FD - $4,600)
Schultz is a bit of a cheaper, especially on DraftKings, so look for him over there tonight. Right now the Penguins have Biran Dumoulin listed as questionable for this game due to a concussion, so this could mean an expanded role for Schultz. He has an assist in each of the first two games this series, so plenty of potential for him to continue that with extra minutes on tap.
DFS Goalies to Consider
Connor Hellebuyck - G, WPG vs NSH (DK - $8,100, FD - $8,300)
Hellebuyck and the Jets come in as -120 favorites at home, which isn't that large, but it's what you would expect for a playoff game. He has posted 36 saves or more in each of the first two games in this series, but the latest game went to double overtime, just take note of that. The saves will always be there for him against this Nashville team, just a matter of limiting the goals, and seems to be the "safest" option at goalie tonight.
