Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks for DraftKings & FanDuel - 4/15/16

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Welcome back for another exciting night of playoff hockey. Tonight we another four game slate with three series starting game #2 while the Predators and Ducks kick off their series tonight. The Islanders and Panthers are playing on back to back nights after a goal explosion last night with the Islanders eventually winning 5-4. As of now no goalies are confirmed starting so be sure to check LeftWingLock prior to lineup lock.

If you have any questions throughout the day be sure to join the conversation in the comments section below. Also, be sure to check LeftWingLock to get confirmation on all of the starting goalies for Tuesday. Now onto the picks.

Goaltenders

Ben Bishop
Opponent - DET
FD - 9900 DK - 8400

He was very impressive in the Bolts game 1 win vs. Detroit stopping 34 of 36 shots he faced. His price went up a few hundred bucks but that doesn't scare me away from the top goalie on the slate. I am expecting the Bolts to take total control of this series with another home win tonight before the series shifts to Detroit for game 3.

Corey Crawford
Opponent - STL
FD - 8400 DK - 8000

The Blackhawks badly out shot the Blues 35-18 in game 1 but couldn't solve netminder Brian Elliott and eventually lost in OT on a David Backes goal. It was the only goal Crawford allowed and in his second game back from injury looked pretty solid. The Hawks will get a bit of a boost tonight as they get Duncan Keith back from his suspension. You can expect an even bigger effort form the defending champs as they will not want to go down 2-0 heading back to Chicago.

Also Consider - John Gibson - Anaheim Ducks vs. NSH

CENTER

John Tavares
Opponent - FLA
FD - 8900 DK - 7600

All you have to do is go watch the highlights from game 1 last night to see why Tavares is at the top of the center picks today. He was the best player on the ice and completely abused Brian Campbell(Panthers D man) multiple times. If the Islanders are to take this series from the Panthers it will be on the back of their superstar center. It was also a good sign to see Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen up on the top line with Tavares after a season of juggling the top 6 forwards.

Stack with - Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo

Tyler Johnson
Opponent - DET
FD - 5900 DK - 5500

With the absence of Steven Stamkos for an unknown amount of time Tyler Johnson stepped up to a first line role between Kucherov and Killorn and was quite impressive in game 1. He didn't record a shot but picked up two assists and had a +3 rating in the Bolts win. He is a perfect match with Kucherov who is a tremendous goal scorer with an amazing shot. Whoever the Red Wings start between the pipes in game 2 will be in tough ocne again with the talent level on the top line for the Bolts.

Stack with - Nikita Kucherov, Alex Killorn

Also Consider - Jonathan Toews - Chicago Blackhawks @ STL

WINGERS

Nikita Kucherov
Opponent - DET
FD - 7800 DK - 7100

As mentioned above with Johnson, Kucherov is a tremendous goal scorer and has picked up right where he left off in last years Cup run where he had tallied 22 points in 26 games. He scoredtwice in game 1 and added an assist and carried the Lightning to victory without Steven Stamkos. The team seems to be playing inspired after getting so close to the big prize last season. I look for the Bolts to take a 2-0 lead in the series as they head to Detroit for game 3 on Sunday.

Stack with - Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn

Jonathan Huberdeau
Opponent - NYI
FD - 7100 DK - 6000

The top line for the Panthers was shut down in game 1 with all the offense coming from the second line Thursday night. They were very close to tying the game late but Jagr was robbed by Thomas Greiss after a fantastic pass from Barkov. The top line is what got them to this point so expect an even better effort on Friday night as the Panthers desperately need to tie up the series before going back to Long Island.

Stack with - Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov

Also Consider - Nick Bjugstad, Jussi Jokinen

DEFENSE

Duncan Keith
Opponent - STL
FD - 5300 DK - 5900

He is back after serving his suspension and should provide a lift the Blackhawks who might be discouraged a bit after firing 35 shots on Brian Elliot Wednesday night only to be shutout. Last years Conn Smythe winner can do it all for the Hawks and should get back to around 30 minutes of ice time in game 2 tonight.

Sami Vatanen
Opponent - NAS
FD - 5000 DK - 4700
Cam Fowler
Opponent - NAS
FD - 3600 DK - 4800

Both 24 year old defensemen for the Ducks are good choices tonight in game 1 vs. the Predators. They aren't going to break the bank and both provide some offensive upside, especially on the powerplay as they had 19 and 17 PP points respectively. The Ducks come into the playoffs as one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference and can start tonight with a statement win at home.
 

Also Consider - Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers vs. NYI

Daily Updates Below:

***All advanced stats in this article are sourced from www. puckalytics.com***

***All goaltender and team line combination information is provided by www.leftwinglock.com***

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