NHL Building Blocks – April 21
The playoffs are here! Four more series get started today. Let’s dive in!
The premise of each article in this series is to feature starting spots (building blocks) for your lines. These are plays that are cash-viable as well as GPP-worthy and can be considered in all contest formats.
Starting Lineup – April 21
The Goalie: Igor Shesterkin ($8200 DK / $8500 FD)
In the best spot of the four goalies tonight; the Rangers’ defense is solid (seventh in the regular season in GAA and third in penalty killing), and Shesterkin has been here before. Washington made a strong run in the last quarter of the season to make it into the playoffs, but their offense isn’t threatening outside of Ovechkin. 4-1 in his last five starts with a 1.99 goals allowed average, and looks to be in playoff form.
The Center: Nathan Mackinnon ($10000 DK/ $10300 FD)
Ready for the Avs’ playoff run and fresh off finishing second in the league in scoring. Jets are tough, but he’s matchup-proof. (Prefer Trocheck as an alternate at $6700 on DK as the next lowest-priced after Mac is Point at $7200.)
The Wing: Artemi Panarin ($8700 DK/ $10100 FD)
Four goals (22 shots) and five assists in his last five games; Caps will have a hard time with him.
The Defenseman: Roman Josi ($8000 DK / $8000 FD)
Perhaps the best floor-ceiling combo of any defenseman; Vancouver’s offense is good, and the Preds rely on him a ton in both ends. Last five games, has three goals, five assists, 17 SOG, and 12 blocks.
The Value: Zach Parise ($3500 DK / $4000 FD)
Solid player who slides up onto L1 with Mackinnon/Rantanen with Drouin out for the series (continues to see PP2 time as well).
The Stack: NYR2 (Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere)
Might have the most upside given the matchup; Panarin is elite and Trocheck averaged almost a point per game this season; Lafreniere had career highs in everything as well.
The Builder: NYR/FLA ML parlay
Oct 26, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The New York Rangers celebrate a goal scored by defensemen Adam Fox (23) during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports