NHL Best Bets & DFS Cheat Sheet, 5/15: Picks, Predictions & Player Props
Welcome to the NHL Playoffs - ROUND 2! Like we did throughout the regular season, the Fantasy Alarm will have you covered in the playoffs. You’ll find our daily NHL Best Bets along with which players you should be targeting in DFS. We’ve conveniently put it all in one article, just to make life simple. If you have more questions, make sure to hit up the Fantasy Alarm NHL Discord. Let’s dive into the action and build a winning lineup!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/15
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Prediction: Thursday, May 15th
I have had the privilege of covering this series from the start and what I can tell you is that the Hurricanes are sticking to their game plan and have yet to be knocked off course. If not for a heroic effort from Logan Thompson in Game 2 this series would already be over and it looks like the Capitals just have no fight left in them.
That being said Washington has been a good home team all year long and Logan Thompson has had a good series overall so I don't know if I can take Carolina to steam roll this game. I think it will be tight and likely a one goal game that decides this with the potential for overtime. I can't take the Capitals either to win as they've been dominated but I can take them on the Puck Line at +1.5 and feel much better about it.
On top of that I also want to add a player prop on Alex Ovechkin as he's been the other player scoring for Washington consistently these playoffs with 5 goals over 9 games. He's also been very consistent with his shots this postseason with 30 total shots on net. So with that I will take the over on Ovechkin's shots as its one of the stats you can almost always count on.
- Capitals Puck Line +1.5 (-180 on DraftKings)
- Alex Ovechkin (WSH) Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-220 on DraftKings)
- Same Game Parlay +110 on DraftKings
Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet
Goalie Of The Day: Connor Hellebuyck - WPG
I'm taking the big swing tonight as this likely could be the last 2 game slate we have this NHL season so I want to go out getting a little risky. Hellebuyck has been bad overall this series and I know that better than anyone but he numbers at home are always better and against elimination they improve as well. He's 5-1 at home on starting record with a 2.00 GAA and .902 SV% and I do think the Jets survive Game 5 and force a Game 6.
Player Of The Day: Kyle Connor - WPG
At this point you can see I am pushing the Winnipeg agenda tonight as I think they'll win and the other matchup in the East should be lower scoring. Connor leads the Jets with 10 points in home games these playoffs and is skating over 24 mins on the ice per game, the man is a tank! He should put up shots and register some points so the floor is at least safe enough here and of course he could score multiple goals at any point.
Value Play Of The Day: Logan Stankoven - CAR
Hurricanes are outplaying the Capitals in a big way through the start of this series and the value after the top line is too hard to pass up for me. The Stankoven line has been Carolina's best in terms of goals expected percentage and Stankoven already has 4 goals this post season. He's going to get plenty of chances tonight as Tom Wilson will likely be hounding the top line with Sebastian Aho today so plug this young buck into your lineups.
Top Stack of the Day - CAR 2 - Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Logan Stankoven & Taylor Hall
Player News
Diamondbacks placed LHP Jalen Beeks on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to July 8, with lower back inflammation.
Beeks became the latest Arizona reliever to hit the shelf as the injuries continue to pile up. The 32-year-old lefty shouldn’t require a lengthy absence, but back issues can be complicated matters and tend to linger beyond initial return estimates.
White Sox recalled OF Will Robertson from Triple-A Charlotte.
Robertson was summoned to replace Tim Elko on Chicago’s active roster between games during Friday’s doubleheader. The 27-year-old outfielder was picked up earlier this week in a trade from the Blue Jays. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.
White Sox placed 1B Tim Elko on the 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain.
Elko hit the injured list between games of Friday’s doubleheader after getting hurt in the opening contest of the twin bill. No word yet on the severity of the injury, which will determine exactly how much time he misses coming out of the All-Star break. The 26-year-old rookie slugger has gone deep four times in 20 games this season with the White Sox.
Jacob Misiorowski has been added to the National League roster for next week’s MLB All-Star Game.
Misiorowski heads to Truist Park in Atlanta for the Midsummer Classic after just five starts in the majors. It’s the quickest-ever All-Star appearance breaking the mark set by Paul Skenes last year when he got the nod after 11 starts in the big leagues. The 23-year-old top pitching prospect — who is coming off a 12-strikeout gem earlier this week against the Dodgers — has performed like a future ace, recording a sparkling 2.81 ERA and 33/11 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings during that span. He’s certainly talented enough to warrant a spot, but his inclusion highlights the fact that very few starters seem to actually want to show up and pitch in the game itself. He’ll take over Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd’s spot on the National League’s roster.
Alex Bregman went 1-for-4 with a double on Friday against the Rays in his return to the lineup.
Bregman made an instant impact for Boston in his first game action in nearly six weeks. The 31-year-old third baseman’s return coincides with an extended hot streak for the Red Sox, who no longer look like potential sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.
Jacob Wilson (hand) remained out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the Blue Jays.
Wilson sat out his third consecutive contest on Friday after being hit by a pitch earlier this week and suffering a left hand contusion. The 23-year-old rookie sensation is slated to start for the American League in next week’s All-Star Game, so we’re anticipating the Athletics being willing to give him some extra time off this weekend to rest and recover. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers, but the franchise isn’t going to take any chances with their young star.