Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Picks for May 8

With the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames each desperately in need of a home victory, Friday sets up a tell-all night in the 2015 NHL playoffs. Both will be looking to continue the fight-back response displayed by the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night.

Things haven't gone according to plan for the once-Stanley Cup-favorite Rangers, who have been put on the brink of elimination by the Washington Capitals entering Game 5. The Presidents' Trophy winners should be expected to post an inspired performance with their season on the line. 

Such troubles haven't come the Anaheim Ducks' way much against the Flames, but that's being tested after Calgary's overtime win in Game 3. The underdogs finally got some pucks past Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen, but can they keep it up?

With $50,000 in DraftKings currency to spare, let's piece together the best lineup for daily fantasy stardom among Friday's two games.

NHL DraftKings Lineup for Friday, May 8

Pos.	Player	Opp.	Last 10 Games	Salary
C	Derick Brassard (Rangers)	Washington	6 goals, 1 assist	$5,300
C	Evgeny Kuznetsov (Capitals)	New York	4 goals, 1 assist	$5,200
W	Corey Perry (Ducks)	Calgary	6 goals, 10 assists	$9,000
W	Carl Hagelin (Rangers)	Washington	2 goals, 2 assists	$4,200
W	Matt Beleskey (Ducks)	Calgary	3 goals, 21 SOG	$4,500
D	Kris Russell (Flames)	Anaheim	2 goals, 3 assists, 38 BS	$5,600
D	Hampus Lindholm (Ducks)	Calgary	1 goal, 5 assists	$4,000
G	Henrik Lundqvist (Rangers)	Washington	6-4, 1.67 GAA	$8,900
UTIL	Jay Beagle (Capitals)	New York	1 goal, 4 assists	$3,200

Centers: Derick Brassard ($5,300) and Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,200)

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

If the Rangers are going to show any sort of resilience and ability to put some pucks in the net in a do-or-die Game 5, it's going to come from the top line. No option among that trio is more affordable than center Derick Brassard, who has two of New York's five goals in the entire series and two games producing at least four DK points.

High-value options across the ice for the Capitals are few and far between assuming Henrik Lundqvist has his way between the pipes, but one is Evgeny Kuznetsov. He has four goals in the postseason, including one so far against the Rangers.

Wingers: Corey Perry ($9,000), Carl Hagelin ($4,200) and Matt Beleskey ($4,500)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Ducks right winger Corey Perry costs a pretty penny, but he's worth every cent. Anaheim's top offensive presence has taken it to another level in the Calgary series, scoring three times and assisting four more. Shying away from Perry due to his massive salary would leave DK players at a disadvantage, as he's sure to feature in many lineups and put up points.

Carl Hagelin's Rangers squad faces a more uphill battle, and he's only notched one assist so far in the Capitals series. But few Rangers forwards are more capable of stepping up when the team needs it most (see: Game 5 against the Penguins), and his five-shots-on-goal performance in Game 4 shows his aggressiveness.

When it comes to dependable goal scorers at an affordable rate, no option is better than Matt Beleskey. The Ducks winger has notched a goal in three games running, with 10 shots on goal in the series.

Defensemen: Kris Russell ($5,600) and Hampus Lindholm ($4,000)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kris Russell has gladly stepped into a more offensive role with captain defenseman Mark Giordano still out, notching four points in the Flames' six-game win over Vancouver. He's added one more helper in the Ducks series, but his incredible affinity for blocking shots—he has a whopping 38 in his last 10 games—makes him a consistent producer.

Hampus Lindholm of the Ducks doesn't give up the body in the same way, but he produces points at a noticeable level with a goal and two assists in three games against Calgary. Topping five DK points in two games against the Flames, he's a safe bet at $4,000.

Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist ($8,900)

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Taking the highest-salaried goaltender who is down 3-1 in the series seems like suicide, but don't be ignorant to the power of Lundqvist. Even in the Rangers' last two defeats, he's only let up a total of three goals, saving 49 of a possible 52 shots.

The Rangers' resilient Game 5 effort should start on the defensive side, where they should be expected to close down the slot and keep things relatively tidy for Lundqvist as he leads them to a much-needed victory.

---

DraftKings is hosting one-day NHL contests with thousands in prizes. Claim your free entry by clicking here and making a first-time deposit!