This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
April showers have brought May flowers, but there are also two NHL playoff games to kick off the month. Your opportunities to play daily fantasy hockey are dwindling, so make the most of them. Here are some recommendations…
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. NAS ($8,300): Hellebuyck has had a couple off-games in the playoffs, but they have both been on the road. At home he hasn't allowed more than two games in a game. The Jets also had a 2.46 GAA at home this year, and score a league-high 3.80 goals per contest in Winnipeg. That bodes well for Hellebuyck's chances of picking up a win in Game 3.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at PIT ($7,500): Over his last 20 games Kuznetsov has 28 points and 69 shots on net. That includes nine points this postseason. The Penguins had a 3.02 GAA this year, which is the highest of any playoff team.
Paul Stastny, WPG vs. NAS ($5,400):Stastny has a three-game point streak, and over his last 12 contests he has nine points. Though Pekka Rinne had a great regular season, in the playoffs he has a 2.81 GAA and .905 save percentage. With only four teams in action, and with finding players beyond the most expensive a necessity, somebody like Stastny is worth a shot at home.
WING
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. WAS ($6,400): Hornqvist didn't register a point in Pittsburgh's last game, breaking a 12-game point streak. However, he still put four shots on net and played 3:31 on the power play. He's on a line with Sidney Crosby and a red-hot Jake Guentzel, so it wouldn't be surprising if his scoring drought only lasts one game. Additionally, the Capitals had a 3.29 GAA on the road this year.
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. NAS ($4,800): Connor started 54.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Jets. He also has three points in his last four games, all assists. It wouldn't be surprising to see him score a goal, though, as the rookie had 31 in 76 games this year. As previously noted, Pekka Rinne has a 2.81 GAA and .905 save percentage in the postseason.
Conor Sheary, PIT vs. WAS ($4,000): Sheary only has two points in the playoffs, but he had six points in his final 10 regular season games. The 25-year-old had 18 goals this year after having 23 last season. The Capitals had a 3.29 GAA on the road, and Braden Holtby had a 2.99 GAA and .907 save percentage himself. Sheary has not had the best postseason, but all it takes is one good game, and there are reasons to see potential in his upside at a cheap price.
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Letang, PIT vs. WAS ($6,300): Plus, grabbing somebody likes Sheary lets you save money to spend on players like Letang. The prolific defenseman has 15 points in his last 15 games, including a goal in Game 2 of this series. Letang had 51 points this season, including 20 on the power play, as well as 222 shots. At home against the Capitals, this matchup has potential for the 31-year-old, which is not something you always see in the second round of the playoffs.
Roman Josi, NAS at WPG ($5,900): Josi doesn't have a point in his last five games, and only two in the playoffs, but he's stayed active. He's averaged 25:57 per game in ice time and put 32 shots on net in eight contests. That's a lot for a defenseman, and it could end up paying off for Josi at some point.
