NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests 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.
Note: This does not include the 3 p.m. ET Game 2 between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators.
Fantasy picks: Ryan Getzlaf must-start vs. Flames
Anaheim center piling up points, strong DFS play for April 15 in Game 2
TOP CENTER: Ryan Getzlaf, ANA ($6,900)
Getzlaf finished 13th in scoring during the regular season with 73 points (15 goals, 58 assists) and was third in assists. The Anaheim Ducks captain picked up where he left off with two points (one goal, one assist) in a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames in Game 1 on Thursday. He also had four SOG and one blocked shot, good for 7.5 DraftKings points. What's more impressive is Getzlaf led the Ducks in ice time (23:57), playing 3:00 more than the next highest Anaheim forward, Ryan Kesler, who played 20:57. Getzlaf played more than eight minutes on the power play and likely will help the Ducks continue their home dominance against the Flames; Anaheim has won 27 straight games (including playoffs) against Calgary at Honda Center.
VALUE CENTER: Artem Anisimov, CHI ($5,000)
Anisimov returned to the lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks for Game 1 against the Nashville Predators on Thursday after missing a month with a leg injury. His 22 goals tied for fourth and his 45 points tied for fifth on Chicago this season. His price is very low, 11th among centers in the contest, but he plays for a high-powered offense. Although the Blackhawks were shut out, 1-0 in Game 1, it's not likely to happen again, and Anisimov (two SOG) should be fresher and less lethargic after returning.
TOP WING: Patrick Kane, CHI ($8,100)
Kane's price went up $200 despite not scoring a point in Game 1 against the Predators, but he managed 3.0 DraftKings points thanks to six SOG. Kane had 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists), tied for second in the League during the regular season, and has been a proven scoring threat for the past decade with at least 20 goals in each of the past 10 seasons. Kane has taken 3.1 SOG in his past 10 games and has 51 points in 42 home games this season.
VALUE WING: Mitchell Marner, TOR ($5,700)
The 13th ranked wing in terms of cost had the first goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who came out strong but lost 3-2 to the Washington Capitals in overtime in Game 1 on Thursday. Marner hadn't scored a point in three straight games but came through when it mattered. He also had three SOG for 4.5 DraftKings points in his NHL playoff debut. Marner had 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists), which was tied for third on Toronto during the regular season, and figures to be a prime contributor to any goals the Maple Leafs can get past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.
TOP DEFENSEMAN: Kevin Shattenkirk, WSH ($6,200)
Shattenkirk made his Capitals playoff debut Thursday, finishing with an assist, two blocks and nine SOG (7.5 DraftKings points). He led all players in SOG and the next most by a Capitals player was six by Justin Williams (Alex Ovechkin only had one SOG). We know Shattenkirk eats up minutes and is an asset on the power play, so it's no surprise he's the most expensive defenseman in the contest.
VALUE DEFENSEMAN: Shea Theodore, ANA ($3,500)
You likely aren't going to find a more valuable bargain than Theodore, whose price went up $800 since his previous game. Theodore had two power-play assists Thursday, which alone makes him worth it, but also note he had two SOG and three blocked shots (6.5 DraftKings points). He had a goal and 6.0 DraftKings points in his final regular-season game and has been playing with more confidence. If the Ducks continue their dominance against the Flames in Game 2, there's a decent chance Theodore factors in somehow.
GOALIE SPOTLIGHT: Frederik Andersen, TOR ($7,000)
Andersen was the hard-luck loser in Game 1 against the Capitals. He allowed three goals but made 41 saves (5.2 DraftKings points). He's had success on the road this season (16-7-7, .919 SV%, three shutouts) and now that the young Maple Leafs have had a taste of playoff hockey, they should be able to better protect leads (Toronto was up 2-0 in Game 1). Keep in mind, Andersen has plenty of playoff experience from his days with the Ducks; he's 17-10-4 with a 2.36 GAA, .916 SV% and two shutouts in 29 playoff games.
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