Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: Best NHL DFS DraftKings Lineup for March 19

A colossal lineup of nine games is on tap for DraftKings fantasy players on Thursday night, and several of them have playoff implications.

The Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators engage in what may be the most important of those battles, as the Bruins are desperately trying to hold off the Ottawa Senators for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Detroit Red Wings travel to Florida to play the Panthers, while the St. Louis Blues go on the road to take on the playoff-starved Winnipeg Jets.

Without wasting any more time, here's a look at our best NHL lineup for Thursday night's action without going over the $50,000 limit.

Pos.	Player (Team)	Opp.	Last 10 games	Salary
C	Joe Pavelski (Sharks)	Tor	three goals, six assists	$8,400
C	Tomas Plekanec (Canadiens)	Car	three goals, three assists	$5,400
W	Bobby Ryan (Senators)	Bos	two goals, two assists	$5,100
W	Johnny Gaudreau (Flames)	Phi	four goals, five assists	$5,200
W	Mike Hoffman (Senators)	Bos	three goals, three assists	$3,900
D	Dougie Hamilton (Bruins)	Ott	six assists	$4,600
D	Matt Irwin (Sharks)	Tor	three goals, four assists	$4,200
G	Carey Price (Canadiens)	Car	2.00 GAA, .937 save pct., two shutouts	$9,500
U	Erik Cole (Red Wings)	Fla	two goals, four assists	$3,700

Centers: Joe Pavelski ($8,400) and Tomas Plekanec ($5,400)

All systems are go when Joe Pavelski and the San Jose Sharks step on the ice at Toronto against the soft-as-butter Maple Leafs. The Leafs threw in the towel on the season a long time ago and should be the perfect opponents for Pavelski to continue his hot play.

He scored the Sharks' only two goals in their 5-2 loss to the Jets Tuesday night and has scored three goals and six assists in his last 10 games. Pavelski can take advantage of the smallest of openings, as his 34 goals and 30 assists this season attest. He should be good for multiple points at Toronto.

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The Montreal Canadiens can't afford to let any winnable games slip through their grasp if they are going to end up as the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

That means they must take advantage of a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes, who are out of the playoff chase. Plekanec has scored 21 goals and added 27 assists this season, and he has three goals and three assists in his last 10 games. Plekanec should have no problem getting scoring chances against the Canes and their often disinterested defense.

Wingers: Bobby Ryan ($5,100), Johnny Gaudreau ($5,200) and Mike Hoffman ($3,900)

A week ago, the Bruins rolled into Ottawa and came away with a 3-1 victory. However, the Senators outskated their guests for the final 40 minutes and were likely done in by Boston goalie Tuukka Rask's outstanding play.

That could happen again, but look for the Senators to get the early jump this time, and that means a big-time game from Bobby Ryan. While Ryan's numbers are a bit lower than expected this season (17 goals and 32 assists), he scored a game-winning goal against the Bruins Jan. 3, and his quick release will give Rask problems.

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Johnny Gaudreau (19 goals, 34 assists) has been one of the main reasons the Calgary Flames have become a legitimate playoff contender this season. Johnny Hockey has scored four goals and dished out five assists in his last 10 games, and he gets a chance to continue his roll against the Philadelphia Flyers. Don't expect much from the Flyers on the road now that they have fallen out of playoff contention. 

Let's get back to the Boston-Ottawa game. Has there been any player who has been a better cap value than Senators winger Mike Hoffman?

It's very doubtful seeing as how Hoffman has produced 24 goals to along with 16 assists for his bargain price tag. Hoffman's speed and acceleration could give the Bruins problems in this game. Hoffman has three goals and three assists in his last 10 games. 

Defensemen: Dougie Hamilton ($4,600) and Matt Irwin ($4,200)

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

While the Senators may have an advantage against the Bruins, don't expect Boston to fold in this game. Hamilton has shown he can make big plays off the rush, and he is always looking for opportunities to join the attack. The 21-year-old blueliner has had a fine season with 10 goals and 30 assists, and he has six assists in his last 10 games. He could be due for at least one point here.

Matt Irwin should be able to have a productive night with the Sharks against the Maple Leafs. This will be Irwin's third game back following an upper-body injury, and he looked good in his first two against Chicago and Winnipeg. Irwin has three goals and four assists in his last 10 games, and he should have plenty of chances to fire the puck from the point.

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Goalie: Carey Price ($9,500)

DraftKings players certainly pay a premium for having Carey Price in the lineup, but he is the likely Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner this year, and that means he is worth every dollar.

Price has a magnificent 38-15-4 record for the Habs with a scintillating 1.93 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. He has seven shutouts this season, and it would not be a shocker to see him shut down the Canes.

Price has a .937 save percentage and two shutouts in his last 10 games, and he has held the Canes to two goals in his last three games against them dating back to the midway point of the 2013-14 season. Another shutout appears to be quite within his grasp.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com and DraftKings.

Steven Silverman covers daily fantasy sports for Bleacher Report. Follow and interact with him on Twitter.