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Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after scoring against New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Sunday, May 24, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) reacts after scoring against New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the second period of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Sunday, May 24, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)Frank Franklin/Associated Press

Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Playoff Strategy for May 26 and 27

Steve SilvermanMay 26, 2015

The Anaheim Ducks took the advantage in the Western Conference Final Monday night, and now it's up to the Chicago Blackhawks to get the series back on even terms once again.

The Ducks used a strong performance from Ryan Getzlaf and Matt Beleskey to get past the Blackhawks in overtime. The 5-4 Anaheim victory means the Blackhawks must win on home ice Wednesday night if they are going to remain alive in the Western Conference Final.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to try to end their Eastern Conference Final against the New York Rangers Tuesday night. Steven Stamkos and the Lightning have been the better team through the first five games of the series and can finish off the Rangers at home.

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Once again, we will provide you with a road map to win your DraftKings fantasy matchup. We have a $50,000 budget, and this lineup should provide stellar results.

Pos.PlayerOpp.FPPGSalary
CSteven StamkosNew York Rangers4.1$9,100
CAndrew ShawAnaheim Ducks2.0$4,300
WJakob SilfverbergChicago Blackhawks2.8$7,000
WChris KreiderTampa Bay Lightning2.6$4,400
WPatrick MaroonChicago Blackhawks2.1$4,000
DDuncan KeithAnaheim Ducks3.2$6,200
DAnton StralmanNew York Rangers2.4$3,300
GHenrik LundqvistTampa Bay Lightning5.3$8,900
UBrian BoyleNew York Rangers2.0$2,800

Centers: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning ($9,100) and Andrew Shaw, Chicago Blackhawks ($4,300)

After a slow start to the playoffs, Steven Stamkos has caught fire. He has scored goals in each of the last four playoff games, and he is once again the superstar who can carry his team on his shoulders.

Stamkos is an outstanding sniper who can pick the top corner from 35 feet, but he is playing hard in all areas and doing more than most superstars. Stamkos is not afraid to throw his body around to make plays, and he will also block shots as if his life depends on it. That's what makes him a great leader, and he should get on the board with at least one goal here.

If Stamkos is a star, Andrew Shaw is a role player who has gotten everything out of his limited ability, and that's why he made the NHL in the first place.

Shaw will do anything he can to help the Blackhawks win, and that means throwing his body in front of a shot or going into the corner and making a pass to an open teammate. Shaw comes at a bargain salary, but we are expecting a full effort in Game 6 at Chicago that pays off for his team.

Wingers: Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks ($7,000), Chris Kreider, New York Rangers ($4,400) and Patrick Maroon, Anaheim Ducks ($4,000)

Jakob Silfverberg continues to emerge as a star player in these playoffs. He is a 200-foot player who dominates in the defensive zone and the neutral zone, and his offensive prowess is coming into play on an an every-game basis.

Silfverberg gets rid of his shots in an instant, and he is a pinpoint passer. He has scored 12 points in his last 11 games, and he gives head coach Bruce Boudreau a full effort for 60-plus minutes every game.

Chris Kreider has found his game in the postseason as well. He was a consistent producer in the regular season with 21 goals and 25 assists, but he has been even more decisive in the postseason with seven goals and two assists.

Kreider is one of the fastest skaters on the Rangers, but he also uses his size and strength and has been effective around the net. With the Rangers' season on the line, look for Kreider to find the back of the net against Tampa Bay.

Patrick Maroon is in a great position because he plays on the same line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. However, make no mistake: Maroon carries his weight.

He is a tough, nasty and physical player, but he is more skilled than he is given credit for. He can make excellent touch passes from behind the back of the net, and he can also fire the puck quickly. He has six goals and three assists in the postseason, and he had a huge goal in the third period of Game 5 against Chicago.

Defensemen: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks ($6,200) and Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning ($3,300)

While the Blackhawks are a team of superstars, Duncan Keith may be the most important player on the team. That's especially true this playoff season since the Blackhawks have so many injuries along the blue line.

Keith has remarkable stamina that allows him to play well over 32 minutes per game. Stamina and will are two factors that give Keith an edge, but the biggest advantage he has is his remarkable talent. He is a brilliant offensive leader who understands what it takes to come through in the clutch.

Anton Stralman is an unheralded player who is in our lineup because he gives everything he has and he comes at a low price. Stralman stays calm under pressure, and he is not afraid to fire the puck when he has the opportunity. He had an assist in Tampa Bay's 2-0 win at New York in Game 5, and he will use his body and block shots to help his team gain the advantage.

Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers ($8,900)

The Tampa Bay Lightning give Lundqvist more of a problem than any other team in the league, and he certainly had his issues after giving up six goals in Game 2 and again in Game 3. However, with the Rangers in danger of going down 3-1, he played sensationally in the Game 4 5-1 victory that squared the series.

Now the Rangers need to win to stay alive. The best goalie in the league will do what he has to in order to help the Rangers win the game. He has a 2.33 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in his last 10 games.


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