Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Picks for April 17

After the first two nights of the Stanley Cup playoffs, there are some significant storylines that are already developing. 

Start with the hatred between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. Continue with the resurgent Chicago Blackhawks, who managed to overcome a 3-0 deficit and beat the Nashville Predators in a monster double-overtime game.

Could somebody please wake up the Washington Capitals and let them know that the playoffs have started? The Vancouver Canucks were victimized by yet another Calgary Flames comeback, and they need to assert themselves after losing a game at home.

With three of the four home teams losing Wednesday, it's time for those teams to up their game so the hole doesn't grow too deep. In today's DraftKings fantasy matchup, we believe we have the team that can put on a winning performance. As always, we stick to our $50,000 budget in putting together our roster.

Pos.	Player	Opp.	Key Stat	Salary
C	Nicklas Backstrom	N.Y. Islanders	60 assists	$5,500
C	Jonathan Toews	Nashville	three points in Game 1	$6,400
W	James Neal	Chicago	23 goals	$6,200
W	Bobby Ryan	Montreal	18 goals, 36 assists	$4,900
W	Brandon Saad	Nashville	52 points	$4,600
D	Brent Seabrook	Nashville	eight goals, 23 assists	$4,200
D	Nick Leddy	Washington	eight points in last 10 games	$3.900
G	Corey Crawford	Nashville	.924 save percentage	$8,100
U	Kyle Turris	Montreal	four goals, nine assists in last 10 games	$6,100

Centers: Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals ($5,500) and Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks ($6,400)

The Washington Capitals laid an egg in the first game of their series against the New York Islanders, and since they started the series at home, they can't afford to go down 0-2 if they want to have a realistic chance of winning this series. That means their slick offense has to raise its level of play significantly.

While Alex Ovechkin is the big-time goal scorer, Nicklas Backstrom is the igniter because he is one of the best passers in the league.

Backstrom had 60 assists this year to go along with his 18 goals, and he excels at putting the puck on the tape of his teammates' sticks. He should be good for at least two assists in this game as the Caps make a run at squaring the series.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Jonathan Toews got the job done in the first game of the Blackhawks' series with the Nashville Predators, as he scored a goal and two assists in the Blackhawks' 4-3 double-overtime win. Toews has led the Blackhawks to two Stanley Cup titles since 2010, and he is not going to let any scoring opportunity slip through his hands.

His skill as a defensive player often sets him and his teammates up with scoring opportunities, and he should be able to get the best of Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne once again.

Wingers: James Neal, Nashville Predators ($6,200), Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators ($4,900) and Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks ($4,600)

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The Predators may have a hard time regaining their stride after blowing a 3-0 lead against the Blackhawks Wednesday night, but the thought is that veteran leaders like James Neal will not let them fold up their tents.

Neal did not score in the opening game of the series, but he scored 23 goals this season, and he had a hat trick against Chicago earlier in the year. He also has five goals in his last four games against the Blackhawks. He will score at least one goal in this game.

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

The Senators need Bobby Ryan to come through with a huge game against the Montreal Canadiens. High-scoring Mark Stone took a slash from P.K. Subban, and a microfracture of his right wrist may keep him out of the lineup or keep him from playing at his best.

Ryan had 18 goals and 36 assists this season, but he has the ability to be an explosive scorer for the Sens. He struggled down the stretch with just one assist in his last 10 games, but he will come through with the heat on at the Bell Center.

Brandon Saad was a concern for the Blackhawks against Nashville, and while he did not get a goal or an assist in the first game of the series, he had numerous opportunities. Saad scored 23 goals and 29 assists this season, and his game is all about speed and acceleration. He creates his own opportunities by powering through the defense, and he should be able to score a couple of points in Game 2 versus the Predators.

Defensemen: Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks ($4,200) and Nick Leddy, New York Islanders ($3,900)

Brent Seabrook has been one of the Blackhawks' key playoff performers in recent seasons. He scored a series-winning overtime goal versus the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, and he also had an overtime goal against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final that year.

Seabrook has a huge shot from the point, and he is not afraid to move deep into the offensive zone if he senses a scoring opportunity. Seabrook did not score in Game 1 against Nashville, but he had eight goals and 23 assists this season.

Kathy Kmonicek/Associated Press

Nick Leddy is an offensive-minded defenseman who helped steady the Islanders this season. The former Chicago Blackhawk had a solid season with 10 goals and 27 assists, and he was hot down the stretch with eight assists in his last 10 games. Leddy may make a mistake or two from time to time in his own zone, but he is an excellent skater and should be a dangerous offensive factor in Game 2 of the Islanders' series against Washington.

Goaltender: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks ($8,100)

This would seem to be a strange pick considering Crawford gave up three goals in the first period of Game 1 versus Nashville and was pulled by head coach Joel Quenneville. However, he is the Blackhawks' No. 1 goalie, and he has proven time and time again that he excels at putting a bad game behind him.

Crawford had a 32-20-5 record this season along with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage, and Quenneville has named him as the starter for Game 2.

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com and DraftKings.

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

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