Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Playoff Strategy for May 16 and 17

The NHL's conference championships represent the opportunity for savvy fantasy hockey players to win glory—and cash. Four teams can see the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup Final right around the corner, which should bring out consistently brilliant play from those involved.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers will get the Eastern Conference Final going in New York on Saturday, while the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks will start their Western Conference series in Anaheim on Sunday afternoon.

DraftKings offers us the opportunity to play both days in the same fantasy contest, and we feel we have a top fantasy lineup that can bring home the cash. As always, we have a $50,000 budget.

Pos.	Player	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	Ryan Kesler	Chicago	3.2	$6,600
C	Derek Stepan	Tampa Bay	3.3	$6,100
W	Patrick Kane	Anaheim	4.3	$8,800
W	Carl Hagelin	Tampa Bay	2.4	$3,800
W	Patrick Maroon	Chicago	2.1	$4,000
D	Brent Seabrook	Anaheim	2.9	$4,900
D	Hampus Lindholm	Chicago	2.2	$3,800
G	Henrik Lundqvist	Tampa Bay	5.4	$9,000
U	Rickard Rakell	Chicago	1.8	$2,800

Centers: Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks ($6,600) and Derek Stepan, New York Rangers ($6,100)

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

The two big-name centers in this series are Ryan Getzlaf of the Ducks and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks, and either one of those players might be a viable choice. However, we like Ryan Kesler for one of our center positions because he is playing emotionally hungry hockey and should be ready to be an impact player against Chicago.

Kesler scored a goal in the series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Calgary Flames, and he has four goals and five assists in his last 10 games. He is a dangerous player who will be difficult to contain.

Derek Stepan felt a huge weight slide off of his shoulders when he picked up a rebound and fired the puck by goalie Braden Holtby in overtime of the seventh game against the Washington Capitals.

Stepan is a clutch player who has proved his ability to rise to the occasion. Stepan has six points in his last 10 games, and he may be ready to go on a hot streak after leading the Rangers to the conference-championship round.

Wingers: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks ($8,800), Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers ($3,800) and Patrick Maroon, Anaheim Ducks ($4,000)

We may have to swallow hard when looking at Patrick Kane's price tag, but is there any player in the NHL who brings a greater return on the investment at this time of year?

Kane has come back from a late-season shoulder injury to lead the Blackhawks in the playoffs, and the Ducks will have to contain him if they are going to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Kane grabbed a goal and an assist in the series-clinching fourth game against the Minnesota Wild, and he has seven goals and six assists in his last 10 games.

Kane's ability to pick the corner with his wrist shot and roof it with his backhand when he gets close to the net make him a formidable postseason player.

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Carl Hagelin is one of the biggest bargains on the board. His explosive speed gives him the ability to break into the open and wreak havoc on opposition goalies. While he has just two goals and two assists in his last 10 games, the belief is that the Rangers could start to break loose on offense now that they are no longer contending with Holtby. Hagelin should have an excellent chance to score in the series opener.

Patrick Maroon is often overlooked in fantasy play and by opponents, which is a big mistake on both counts. He plays on the Ducks' top line with Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and while he may not have the skill level of his linemates, he is strong and determined, which leads to scoring opportunities. Maroon has four goals and three assists in his last 10 games, and his aggressive style could cause problems for the Chicago defense.

Defensemen: Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks ($4,900) and Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks ($3,800)

Brent Seabrook has made a career of scoring big goals and making key plays in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and one of the reasons for that is his blistering shot from the point. Though other defenseman can shoot it just as hard as he can, Seabrook does not lose his accuracy when the game is on the line.

Seabrook scored a goal in the series-clinching win over the Wild, and he has three goals and two assists in his last 10 games.

Christine Cotter/Associated Press

Most of the experts believe the Blackhawks have a key advantage over the Ducks on defense, but that may not be the case. Hampus Lindholm has the ability to turn that category in the Ducks' favor because he is an outstanding skater who will jump into the scoring areas when he senses the opportunity.

Lindholm has a goal and five assists in his last 10 games, and he will also get in front of the puck and block shots on a regular basis.

Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers ($9,000)

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

The money is on the table in the conference-championship round, and we are putting our money on Henrik Lundqvist because he is the best goalie in the NHL.

Lundqvist made key save after key save in the seventh game against the Capitals, and he has a remarkable 1.43 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage in the last 10 games. We expect Lundqvist to rise up here and frustrate the Lightning in the first game of the series.

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