This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
April is here. The playoffs are right around the corner. There are eight NHL games Monday to kick off the new month. Here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
MacKenzie Blackwood, NJD vs. NYR ($7,200): Blackwood and Cory Schneider have basically been swapping starts, and now it's the rookie netminder's turn if that trend continues. The 22-year-old has certainly been the best goalie to mind the net in Jersey, as he has a 2.62 GAA and .916 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Rangers have only managed 27.9 shots on net per contest on the road, and they are on the second night of a back-to-back as well.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. CGY ($6,500): Kopitar's shooting percentage is down from last season, and he's not going to score 35 goals again. However, he does have 21 goals, not to mention 18 power-play points. The Flames have the 20th-ranked penalty kill, but more to the point here they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. TOR ($5,900): Nelson has quietly tallied 24 goals and 51 points this season. Also somewhat quietly, the Maple Leafs had a disastrous month of March defensively. In 14 contests, they posted a 3.71 GAA.
WING
Kyle Connor, WPG at CHI ($6,400): Connor has improved upon his impressive 31-goal rookie season, as he's notched 33 goals in 78 games. That includes 11 goals with the extra man. That's worth noting here, as the Blackhawks have the league's worst penalty kill.
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. EDM ($6,300): March was a good month for Smith. He picked up seven goals and eight assists in 15 games during that time frame. As for the Oilers, they have a 3.42 GAA in away games. Oh, and they have the 30th-ranked penalty kill, and Smith has 14 points with the extra man.
Kenny Agostino, NJD vs. NYR ($3,900): Recently, Agostino has found himself playing on a line with Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri. Perhaps not coincidentally, he's tallied eight points in his last 11 games. Don't be surprised if he keeps this pace up for another game. The Rangers have a 3.87 road GAA, and they are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
DEFENSE
Erik Gustafsson, CHI vs. WPG ($6,200): Gustafsson has played like vintage Duncan Keith this season. He's registered 17 goals on 150 shots, and thrown in 39 assists to boot. Meanwhile, since the All-Star break the Jets have a 3.26 GAA and have allowed a whopping 35.3 shots on net per game.
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. EDM ($4,700): In his last 14 games, Theodore has tallied 10 points. He's also put 46 shots on net in those contests. Edmonton has a 3.39 GAA since the All-Star break, bottom five in the league, and don't forget about their 30th-ranked penalty kill.
