Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Ideal Lineup Picks for April 27 – Bleacher Report
There is nothing like the thrill of an elimination game, and on Monday, three teams will be fighting to stay alive. The Washington Capitals and New York Islanders are set to square off in Game 7, and the Detroit Red Wings can eliminate the Tampa Bay Lightning with a win in Game 6.
The threat of elimination can bring out the best in players, and that is something to consider when picking players Monday night. With only four teams in action, prices will be at a premium, so it will be key to make sure that each player pick is a good one.
There is a $50,000 salary cap to keep in mind, and here are some ideal player picks for your April 27 lineup.
Center: Nicklas Backstrom ($8,200) and Pavel Datsyuk ($7,700)
The Washington Capitals’ top pivot is the NHL‘s leading scorer of players still active in the first round, and he is a player you definitely want in your lineup. Nicklas Backstrom has six points in six games, and he is a lifetime point-per-game player vs. the Islanders.
Francois Lacasse/Getty Images
The Swedish sensation also has 10 points in his last 10 games played, and for that reason, he is a clutch player to have in your lineup for Monday night.
Pavel Datsyuk, the Magic Man, has lived up to his namesake during the Red Wings’ series vs. the Lightning. Datsyuk has three goals and an assist for four points in five games, and he has nine points in his last nine games. Datsyuk has been successful this season because he’s found a way to stay healthy.
He has averaged 3.7 fantasy points per game during his most recent stretch of hockey, and he is an experienced scorer who knows how to get the job done when it counts. Look for the Red Wings to lean on Datsyuk’s championship experience and his offensive ability Monday as they try to eliminate the Lightning.
Winger: Josh Bailey ($5,700)
Josh Bailey enters Game 6 as the #Isles leading scorer (2-3-5).
— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) April 25, 2015
Most at DraftKings will likely go after high-octane players such as Alex Ovechkin or Kyle Okposo, but Josh Bailey would be a great pickup. The Islanders’ winger has five points in the series and eight points in his last 10 games. Bailey has a 3.2 fantasy points-per-game average during that same span, and for that reason, you want him in your lineup.
Defensemen: Nick Leddy ($6,000) and Jonathan Ericcson ($2,500)
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
There are a number of expensive options on defense for Monday, and none of them have more points than Nick Leddy. The Stanley Cup champion defender has been a positive addition for the Islanders throughout the season, and he’s tallied five points against the Washington Capitals.
Yesterday’s top defensemen: Duncan Keith 1G, 2A, +2, Nick Leddy 2A, +3, Danny DeKeyser 1G, +2 – see more at http://t.co/7hC92ZkZPI
— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) April 26, 2015
He was key for the Islanders in Game 5, and he added two assists and seven fantasy points. Leddy has averaged 3.6 fantasy points a game over his last 10 games, and he certainly is a player who knows how to come through when the game is on the line.
Dave Reginek/Getty Images
The playoffs are a time in which unsung players are given a chance to make their mark, and that is what Jonathan Ericsson has done so far for the Red Wings.
The Wings’ blueliner had 15 points in 82 games this season, but he has four points in five games against Tampa. He’s an absolute bargain for $2,500, and even if he has an off night, you can afford to take the risk.
Goalie: Petr Mrazek, $8,700
Scott Audette/Getty Images
Petr Mrazek has played pretty well for the Detroit Red Wings, and he hasn’t allowed a first or second period goal vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning over the last two games. He had an implosion during the third period of Game 4, but Mrazek was phenomenal in his shutout of the Bolts in Game 5 on the road.
Petr Mrazek is the just the 8th goaltender in NHL History to record at least 2 shutouts in his debut playoff series #elias
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) April 26, 2015
Mrazek is 6-5-2 with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage at home this season, and he’s a solid pick when you consider the Tampa offense hasn’t done enough so far this series.
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DraftKings stats and details per its official site. Outside statistics via Hockey-Reference.com and NHL.com.
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