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Tom Vecchio's top NHL DFS lineup picks on FanDuel, DraftKings for 4/16/19. Expert daily fantasy hockey advice, sleepers & player recommendations.
We are finally here. The NHL Playoffs are here and the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup is upon us and we have three games on the second day to keep things going. Smaller slates mean fewer options at each position, but a chance to take a stand on your favorite plays.
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 at five.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/18/19. 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
Vladimir Tarasenko - W, STL @ WPG (FD - $8,300, DK - $6,800)
Tarasenko and the Blues have lost two games which is a bit odd since those were the best games of the series for him. Yes, in the first two games he had no points and the Blues won both of those games but since then he has posted two goals and they've lost both. Simply just a coincidence but now with the series tied back up, they need their star player to keep this production up. He has 18 shots in the first four games of the series and that is the volume we should see him at going forward.
Joe Thornton - C, SJ vs VGK (FD - $5,500, DK - $3,900)
It sucks to says it, but this could be the final game of Jumbo Joe Thornton's career. If the Sharks lose this game, they are eliminated from the playoffs and the future for Joe is very much up in the air. He is coming off his one-game suspension, so he should be good to go for a potential elimination game. and ready to bring the fantasy points. We should him back on the third forward line and the second power-play unit, bringing plenty of savings.
DFS Defenders to Consider
John Carlson - D, WAS @ CAR (FD - $6,700, DK - $6,000)
Carlson had a below average game last time out and it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Capitals lost. Actually, they didn't just lose, they kinda got run out of the building by the Hurricanes, who were pouring in the goals. Carlson is still on the first forward line, which gets you exposure to Ovechkin and plenty of upside from a stacking viewpoint. Only three games on the slate, so ownership will be tight, but still ride with Carlson.
Colin Miller - D, VGK @ SJ (FD - $3,800, DK - $3,600)
Miller is on the third defensive pairing but the first power-play unit, so he comes in at a very reasonable price point tonight, giving us much-needed salary relief on this small slate. He has one goal, six shots, and four blocked shots in the first three games of the series, which is legit good given the fact he is under $4k on both sites. Simply take the savings and move on, or use him in a power-play stack, who seemingly has an amazing upside in this series.
DFS Goalies to Consider
Brayden Holtby - G, WAS @ CAR (FD - $8,600, DK - $8,000)
Holtby and the Capitals are only +105 underdogs on the road against the Hurricanes and are looking to avoid losing two games in a row, which would tie up the series. Holtby saw 40 saves in the Game 3 loss and that is due mainly to the fact the Canes led the league in Corsi For this season, meaning they generate the most shot attempts per 60. If the shots will be there, the upside for saves will be there, but also plenty of risk for goals allowed.
