Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: Best NHL DFS DraftKings Lineup for April 16

The playoffs got underway on Wednesday, and there were four entertaining contests and some interesting results. P.K. Subban was ejected for a slash, the Nashville Predators blew a three-goal lead and lost, the Calgary Flames came back to win, and the New York Islanders won on the road against the Washington Capitals.

Eight more teams are in action Thursday, and there are a ton of opportunities for players who can manage a budget and draft smart.

As always, there is a $50,000 salary cap to abide by, and with only four games, there are fewer players in the pool. As a result, player values are marked up just like playoff tickets, but this shouldn't discourage you.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and without further delay, here is your best NHL DFS DraftKings lineup for April 16.

POS	PLAYER	OPP	FPPG	SALARY	Key Stat
C	Derick Brassard	Pit@NYR	2.9	$4,400	Five points vs. PIT last year in EC Semis
C	Ryan Kesler	Wpg@Anh	3.1	$4,900	38 points in 57 career playoff games.
W	Mats Zuccarello	Pit@NYR	2.7	$4,200	20 points in last 37 playoff games.
W	Andrew Ladd	Wpg@Anh	3.4	$5,300	Two-time Stanley Cup champion.
W	Zach Parise	Min@StL	4	$8,500	58 points in 79 playoff games.
D	Dustin Byfuglien	Wpg@Anh	3.2	$6,700	14 goals and 25 points in 39 career playoff games.
D	Sami Vatanen	Wpg@Anh	3.1	$4,300	37 points with ANA this season in 66 games.
G	Devan Dubnyk	Min@StL	5.3	$8,200	6-3-1 with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in last 10 starts.
UTIL	Brian Boyle	Det@TB	2.1	$3,200	Has scored three goals during each of last three playoff runs.

Centers: Ryan Kesler, $4,900 | Derick Brassard $4,400

Christine Cotter/Associated Press

Ryan Kesler could be one of the most important players on the Anaheim Ducks during their series against the Winnipeg Jets, and he's worth picking up for Thursday because of his salary and career production.

The Ducks center is a proficient playoff producer, and he's tallied 38 points in 57 career playoff games. This will be Kesler's first playoff series with the Ducks, and that puts him in an ideal situation. He's going to be in a secondary role with Anaheim, and with less pressure he should be able to thrive.

Derick Brassard was the Rangers' top offensive center this season, and he's got a knack for scoring in the playoffs. The Blueshirts' top-line center set a career high in points, and he performed very well during the first year of his $25 million contract extension.

He's an absolute steal for $4,400, and you'd be a fool not to take him. In 35 playoff games, the Rangers center has tallied eight goals and 24 points, and that includes four goals and five points versus the Pittsburgh Penguins during last year's playoffs.

Wingers: Zach Parise $8,500 | Andrew Ladd $5,300 | Mats Zuccarello $4,200

Zach Parise is one of the NHL's top two-way scorers, and the 30-year-old winger is ready to lead his team to a championship. The Minnesota Wild have a very talented roster, and Parise is one of the forwards who will be expected to contribute. He has a history of being a difference-maker, and he's tallied 58 points in 79 playoff games, including 15 points in 18 games with Minnesota.

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Andrew Ladd is another veteran winger looking to lead his team toward a Stanley Cup, and the Jets' captain would love to complete a hat trick by winning his third Stanley Cup with his third NHL team. 

In the past, Ladd played minimal minutes in a tertiary role in Chicago and Carolina, but now he is older and more complete as a player. He's tallied 15 points in 53 career playoff games, and he has the skill to go on a scoring spree during the 2014-15 playoffs.

Last but not least is Mats Zuccarello, and the "Hobbit" is another forward who loves the playoffs. The skilled playmaker has 20 points in 37 playoff games over the past two seasons, and he's in a position to have another solid run alongside Brassard and Rick Nash.

Defensemen: Dustin Byfuglien $6,700 and Sami Vatanen $4,300

Dustin Byfuglien is a veteran player with a Stanley Cup to his name, and five years later he is ready to win another one. The burly blueliner has appeared in 39 career games, and that includes 14 goals and 25 points. He will be in a more prominent role versus the Ducks, and look for Big Byfuglien to make the most of his return to the postseason.

Sami Vatanen is making his sophomore playoff appearance this season, and he's a defender with a ton of upside. During the regular season Vatanen tallied 37 points, and he averaged 3.1 fantasy points a game. He is going to be one of the Ducks' top defenders in terms of minutes, and he could go on a tear if Anaheim spends some time on the power play.

Goalie: Devan Dubnyk, $8,200

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Devan Dubnyk is one of the top goalies entering the playoffs, and he appears to be in the zone. He went 6-3-1 with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in his last 10 starts of the season, and he could be the difference-maker for the Wild during the playoffs.  

This will be Dubnyk's first foray into the playoffs, but you could argue that his run with Minnesota was like a mini postseason run in itself. His price tag of $8,200 is solid, and you should invest in a hot goalie who is oozing confidence.

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DraftKings stats and details per its official site. Outside statistics via Hockey-Reference.com and NHL.com.