Fantasy picks: Vladimir Sobotka productive since NHL return

NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL games during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs (until end of conference finals). This article includes expensive and value plays and should be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.

TOP CENTER: Ryan Getzlaf, ANA ($7,200) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 3.0
This two-game slate offers so many value options that you can easily spend up for two or three of the most-expensive skaters. Getzlaf had 45 points in his final 40 regular-season games, and has seven points (four goals, three assists) and 13 shots on goal through five Stanley Cup Playoff games with right wing Patrick Eaves ($5,900) along for the ride. He has 106 points (33 goals, 73 assists) in 109 career Stanley Cup Playoff games and 45 points in 37 home games (regular season and postseason).

VALUE CENTER: Mark Letestu, EDM ($3,700) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 1.0
Letestu scored two power-play goals on five SOG against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1, giving him 14 PPG in the regular season and playoffs combined. He's played on the Edmonton Oilers' first power-play unit with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for much of the season, and offers an appealing stack with either top-notch scorer. Letestu has four points (three goals, one assist) in six games against the Ducks this season and has scored 25 of his 40 points on the road.

TOP WING: Leon Draisaitl, EDM ($6,800) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 0.0
Since Draisaitl was moved back to right wing on McDavid's line, he has seven points, three blocks and eight SOG in the past three games. Four of those points came in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round, giving him 12 points (seven goals, five assists) and 18 SOG in six games against the Ducks. He's nearly a point-per-game player on the road (41 points in 45 games) and is the fourth most-expensive skater behind McDavid (C; $8,100), Vladimir Tarasenko (W; $7,700) and Getzlaf.

VALUE WING: Vladimir Sobotka, STL ($3,800) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 0.5
Sobotka, who joined the St. Louis Blues from the Kontinental Hockey League in time for their regular-season finale, has five points, five blocks and 10 SOG in seven NHL games this season. He had one goal on four SOG in Game 1 against the Predators for 5.0 DraftKings points. Jordan Eberle (4.9 DraftKings points per game) of the Oilers and James Neal (4.8) of the Predators are forwards with similar fantasy scoring averages to Sobotka, but each is at least $900 more expensive.

TOP DEFENSEMAN: P.K. Subban, NSH ($5,300) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 0.5
Subban had his most impressive offensive game of the season in Game 1 against the Blues with one goal, two assists, two blocks and five SOG (10.5 DraftKings points). He's clicking at the right time for Nashville with at least one point in three of his past four games, and quietly leads active NHL defensemen in playoff points per game (0.72; minimum 25 games).

VALUE DEFENSEMAN: Colton Parayko, STL ($5,000) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 3.0
Parayko has seen a
daily fantasy value spike
in the playoffs, scoring at least 2.5 DraftKings points in each of his six games. He has back-to-back games of at least 5.0 DraftKings points, including one goal and five SOG in Game 1 against the Predators. He brings strong peripherals (16 blocks, 19 SOG) to the table, and the light slate should allow you to spend $5,000 or more on each of your defensemen.

GOALIE SPOTLIGHT: Cam Talbot, EDM ($7,300) - DRAFTKINGS POINTS TOTAL: 9.8
Talbot is the most affordable of the four projected starters and $700 cheaper than Ducks goalie John Gibson ($8,000). Since allowing five goals in the Oilers' 7-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of the first round, Talbot has won three straight with a .926 save percentage. He also had two shutouts earlier in the postseason and has a chance to help Edmonton steal Game 2 on the road. He is 22-11-5 with five shutouts on the road and has played a League-high 80 games in the regular season and playoffs combined.

---
Check out DraftKings.com to play 1-Day Fantasy Hockey today. Entering is quick and simple: sign up for a free account, enter the $3 1-Day Fantasy Hockey contest and set your lineup, catch the games and win!
DraftKings fantasy hockey contests are operated by DraftKings Inc. and are in no way sponsored or administered by the NHL and/or any of its affiliated entities. Prohibited and/or not available in AL, AZ, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, LA, MT, NV and WA. Offered in IL and TX pending litigation. See terms for additional eligibility rules.