Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: Best NHL DFS DraftKings Lineup for April 9

The NHL regular season is nearing its climax, and Thursday night is going to be an amazing night full of intense action. There is a jam-packed schedule featuring 11 games. To date all but a few playoff spots are spoken for, and a loss by the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings would end their season.

In addition, the Ottawa Senators need a victory over the New York Rangers to extend their season, and the Detroit Red Wings can lock up a spot with a win vs. the Montreal Canadiens. A number of teams that have already punched their ticket may be resting top players, so finding the best possible lineup could be tough.

There are certainly a number of ways you can allocate your $50,000 in cap space, but here's the best NHL DFS DraftKings lineup for April 9.

POS	PLAYER	OPP	FPPG Last 10 GP	SALARY
C	Kyle Turris	Ott@NYR	4.0	$5,600
C	Carl Soderberg	Bos@Fla	3.3	$4,700
W	Jiri Hudler	LA@Cgy	4.3	$5,500
W	Jakub Voracek	Car@Phi	4.0	$7,300
W	Chris Kreider	Ott@NYR	3.3	$4,700
D	Keith Yandle	Ott@NYR	3.9	$5,600
D	O. Ekman-Larsson	Ari@Van	5.0	$5,500
G	Ondrej Pavelec	Wpg@Col	7.3	$7,700
UTIL	Andrew Shaw	Chi@StL	2.8	$3,400

Center: Kyle Turris, $5,600 | Carl Soderberg, $4,700

The Ottawa Senators are riding a wave of momentum right now, and Kyle Turris has been in the thick of things.

The Sens' primary pivot has four goals and seven assists in the last 10 games, and he's maintained a points-per-game average of 4.0.

The "pesky" Sens are going to be a very desperate team on Thursday, and Turris could conceivably have quite a night against a New York Ranger team that will be sheltering top players.

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

The Boston Bruins are another team still plugging away for a playoff spot, and investing in one of the their top centers makes sense. David Krejci has been ice-cold for the B's, so nabbing 29-year-old Carl Soderberg is an effective strategy.

Over the last 10 games, Soderberg has tallied three goals, six assists and nine points, and he has maintained a 3.3 fantasy points-per-game average. The Bruins should do their best to ride hot players, and Soderberg is one who has certainly exceeded expectations this season.

Wingers: Jakub Voracek, $7,300 | Jiri Hudler, $5,500 | Chris Kreider $4,700

The Philadelphia Flyers' season is over, but that won't stop Jakub Voracek from making a difference. He admitted to the media that head coach Craig Berube has pushed him, and that's why he's played at an elite level:

Voracek has two goals, 11 assists and 13 points in his last 10 games, and he's maintained a 4.0 fantasy points-per-game average. He is in a position to have success against the Carolina Hurricanes, because he's tallied a goal and two assists in four games against them this season.

Jiri Hudler has a chance to help the Calgary Flames clinch a playoff spot at home vs. the Kings, and you can expect him to have one of his most intense games of the season. The veteran scorer has tallied four goals, nine assists and 13 points in his last 10 games played, and that includes a 4.3 fantasy points-per-game average.

Hudler has four points in four games vs. the Kings in 2014-15, and he has even better numbers lifetime vs. the defending Cup champs.

Season	Goals	Assists	Points	Games Played
2014-15	0	4	4	4
2006 to 2014	4	12	16	27
Total	4	16	20	31

Last but not least is Chris Kreider, who is one of the few Rangers who should see normal ice time on Thursday. The Blueshirts clinched the Presidents' Trophy on Tuesday vs. the New Jersey Devils, so it won't be odd if Alain Vigneault decides to shelter the minutes of his top players.

Kreider is a sophomore forward who is in great shape, so it would be wise to invest in a player who has four goals, 10 points and a 3.3 fantasy points-per-game average over his last 10 games played. He is a bargain fit at $4,700, and can help you maximize the value of your overall lineup.

Defensemen: Keith Yandle, $5,600 | Oliver Ekman-Larsson, $5,500

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson were teammates in Arizona, and they have the potential to be an elite defensive tandem on Thursday.

Yandle struggled a little bit when he was initially acquired from the Ottawa Senators, but he's been an impact player over the last 10 games.

In his last 10 games, the former Coyote has a goal and nine assists, and he played a vital role during the Rangers comeback vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is averaging 3.9 fantasy points per game; expect him to see normal minutes as he continues to adapt to a new team.

Ekman-Larsson has been just as good for Arizona, and he is doing his best to finish the season of a high note. OEL will cost you $5,500, but that's a bargain for a blueliner with six goals, 10 points and a 5.0 fantasy points-per-game average.

Larsson is chasing a Coyotes record for goals in a single season by a defender, and with one more strike he can pass Hall of Fame defender Phil Housley. With Housley's record in striking distance, look for OEL to step up his game and make an impact on Thursday.

Goalie: Ondrej Pavelec, $7,700

Ondrej Pavelec has played some of the best hockey of his career, and he has backstopped the Winnipeg Jets to a point in which they can clinch a playoff spot.

Over the last 11 games he is 9-2-0 with a 1.63 goals-against average, a .941 save percentage and three shutouts. He's 2-0-0 with two shutouts in his last two starts, and you'd be a fool not to pick up a goalie for $7,700 who is producing in every way imaginable.

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