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.
Fantasy picks: Artemi Panarin can rebound in Game 4
Blackhawks forward among April 20 DFS targets against Predators
TOP CENTER: Evgeni Malkin, PIT ($8,100)
Malkin has torched the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference First Round, combining for an NHL-best eight points to go along with four blocked shots and 12 shots on goal in four games (6.8 DraftKings points per game). He was one of the best home producers League-wide in the regular season (46 points in 31 games), and continues to fuel the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lead the NHL with 4.0 goals per game in the postseason. Malkin is easily stackable with cheap linemate Bryan Rust ($4,600) to offset the expensive price for Game 5.
VALUE CENTER: Calle Jarnkrok, NSH ($3,300)
The Nashville Predators' top line has been dominant through the first three games of the Western Conference First Round, but their second line needs to get involved to counter the desperate Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4. Jarnkrok has been centering goal-scoring wings Kevin Fiala ($3,300; two goals on 10 SOG this series) and James Neal ($4,900; third on Predators with 23 goals in regular season), and has a chance to score a point in Game 4 because of how well the line has been playing. He's priced $800 above the DraftKings minimum -- extremely cheap for a top-six forward.
TOP WING: Artemi Panarin, CHI ($6,500)
Panarin was too strong on the road in the regular season (40 points in 41 games) to go down without a point with the Blackhawks facing elimination in Game 4. The Blackhawks have been held to two goals (one at 5-on-5) in three games this series, and Panarin has been held in check despite a solid shot volume (eight SOG) and constant exposure to Patrick Kane. Prior to his current slump, Panarin finished the regular season strong with eight points (seven goals, one assist) and 28 SOG in his final seven games.
VALUE WING: J.T. Miller, NYR ($4,400)
Miller had a career-high 56 points in 82 regular-season games, but has been held to no points on four SOG in four games against the Montreal Canadiens. Normally priced around $5,000, Miller is as affordable as he's been all season for Game 5 on the road, where he scored 28 points in 41 regular-season games -- second on the Rangers behind linemate Kevin Hayes (30 points in 40 games). The Rangers may need a lift from their third line of Miller, Hayes and Mats Zuccarello to steal Game 5 on the road.
TOP DEFENSEMAN: P.K. Subban, NSH ($4,800)
Subban has no goals and one assist in three games against the Blackhawks this series, but has salvaged his DraftKings value with strong shot (nine SOG) and blocked shots (four) totals. Subban has scored nine of his 11 goals this season at Bridgestone Arena, the site of Game 4 on Thursday. Subban has 39 points in 59 career postseason games and can easily return daily fantasy value even if he doesn't score a point. Even in a down year offensively, his points-per-game average (0.61 in regular season) is tied for 12th among defensemen.
VALUE DEFENSEMAN: Andrej Sekera, EDM ($3,900)
Sticking with the bounce-back theme, Sekera has a chance to be involved if the Edmonton Oilers respond from their 7-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 on Tuesday. Sekera scored eight of his 11 power-play points this season at home, the site of Game 5 on Thursday. Edmonton has the second-worst power-play percentage (8.3) among playoff teams entering Wednesday, but Sekera has a high single-game ceiling and low price. He had 35 points, 166 blocked shots and 128 SOG in the regular season and has totaled seven blocked shots and six SOG in four games this series.
GOALIE SPOTLIGHT: Cam Talbot, EDM ($7,700)
Talbot had a miserable Game 4, allowing five goals on 24 shots faced for a negative DraftKings output. The Oilers shouldn't be nearly as bad in Game 5 at home, where Talbot is 24-13-3 with a .924 SV% and four shutouts in the regular season and playoffs combined. Talbot has dropped to fourth among goalies in DraftKings price despite shutting out the Sharks in Games 2 and 3 of the series. Talbot ranks seventh among the 16 starting goalies in even-strength save percentage (.940) this postseason. Talbot is 16-12-4 in games following a loss this season (regular season and playoffs combined), according to Elias Sports Bureau.
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