Demetri Raftopoulos' DFS advice for 4/18/16. Daily Fantasy Hockey Lineup Picks and sleepers for FanDuel & DraftKings NHL cash games and GPPs.

Welcome to the Daily Fantasy Hockey (NHL DFS) lineup picks article for Monday, April 18th of the 2015/2016 NHL season. Each day we'll be providing you with a handful of forward, defensemen, and goaltender picks for DraftKings and FanDuel GPP and cash games.

Playoffs are underway. Two teams find themselves in must wins, down 2-0 in their respective series', heading back home for an important game three. That should definitely be taken into consideration for Daily Fantasy.

On a night with only three games, it's wise to spend up on about two or three guys, and find consistent value guys to fill the rest of your lineup. For updated goalie confirmations, check out leftwinglock.com.

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NHL DFS Picks for Monday, April 18th

A couple strategy notes. For cash game construction look for players who can contribute to your score when they are not providing offense. Examples are guys who take a ton of shots, defensemen who block a lot of shots(DraftKings). Also, look for guys who get powerplay time and especially Top 6 forwards. You can find value in players who join a new line due to an injury or just get a promotion and more ice time.

For large field tournaments (GPP's) you want to find payers who have multi point upside and can grab double digit fantasy points. To stack the most upside in your forwards a common strategy is to punt the defense position. This doesn't mean just grab anyone. Try and look for a D man who will be playing more PP time or might get a boost in overall playing time due to an injury.

Let's take a look at some solid plays for today's action.

Braden Holtby - Goaltender, Capitals (DraftKings - $8,600 FanDuel - $ )

It would be kind of silly to fade Holtby come Monday night. He is by far the best option between the pipes, and has been the best goaltender all season in general. He's also been standing on his head during the first two games of the series. Holtby is expensive, but on a night with only three games, it's imperative to pick a goalie that can get you a win, and potentially flirt with a shootout.

Vincent Lecavalier - Center, Kings (DraftKings - $3,200 FanDuel - $ )

Lecavalier scored a goal in game two against the San Jose Sharks and is one of the most playoff-experienced players on the ice, between both teams. His goal also came via the power play and is an affordable option that has produced in these situations before. His experience alone gives his fantasy value a boost and is a solid tournament play.

Claude Giroux - Center, Flyers (DraftKings - $7,200 FanDuel - $ ) 

If the Philadelphia Flyers want to keep up with the Washington Capitals, if they want to make this a series, it's up to Claude Giroux to lead the charge. One of the best options overall on Monday night, Giroux is a consistent scoring and assisting threat, yet has been quiet in the first two games of the series. Giroux is due for a big game, and the Flyers head back to Philadelphia to host game three. He's expensive, but could prove to be beyond worth it.

Jason Chimera - Winger, Capitals (DraftKings - $4,000 FanDuel - $ ) 

Chimera scored in game two versus the Flyers, and entered the playoffs after a very productive, 41-point season. Chimera is a scoring threat, but can also contribute to Daily Fantasy lineups via shots on goal and penalty minutes, specifically for FanDuel. The postseason is all about consistency. Typically, certain players continue to produce, and become X-factors. Chimera could very well become one of them.

Ales Hemsky - Winger, Stars (DraftKings - $4,100 FanDuel - $ ) 

Hemsky has picked up one assist in each of the first two games of Dallas' first round series against the Minnesota Wild. He has tallied five total shots, and has averaged around 14-15 minutes of ice time in each. Hemsky scored only 13 goals during the regular season but collected 28 assists, and has become a consistent helper-threat. He's affordable and should be used predominantly in tournaments.

Ryan Suter - Defenseman, Wild (DraftKings - $6,000 FanDuel - $ ) 

If the Wild want to get back into their series against the Stars, they'll need production from all their big guys. Ryan Suter is one of them. Trailing 2-0 in the series, the Wild will look to Suter to contribute and set up much needed goals. Suter tallied 43 assists during the regular season and has been silenced so far in the playoffs. Keep an eye on Suter waking up at home. He should be used in both DraftKings and FanDuel, in any format.

Justin Braun - Defenseman, Sharks (DraftKings - $3,700 FanDuel - $ )

Braun has played close to 20 minutes in both of San Jose's playoff matchups against the Los Angeles Kings, and has picked up one assist. He's a cheap option at defense, and is a consistent blocked shots threat. He's capable of doing just enough to put an effective dent in Daily Fantasy lineups. Braun finished the season with 20 assists, and is a solid tournament play.

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