2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Pools Picks
For those of you in NHL Playoff Pools for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, we have your backs with exactly who to aim to get on your team.
We see an obvious Washington vs. Dallas Stanley Cup Finals, so you want to stack your team with players from these teams with the exception of the Dallas goalies. If you need a 3rd and 4th team we suggest Anaheim in the West and Florida in the East. Players from these teams should play at least 3 rounds or a minimum of 12 games.
We highly suggest you check out DraftKings to play DAILY FANTASY HOCKEY pools throughout the playoffs. It is pretty cool to play a game each night as you enjoy the action. As a special gift, here is a FREE NHL FANTASY HOCKEY CONTEST with prize pools each night up to $50,000!
Here are our 2016 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs pool picks to help you win your office pools or daily fantasy hockey contests at sites like FanDuel.com:
Forwards
Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) – No brainer here. Ovechkin is a scoring machine and the Caps are going to the Stanley Cup Finals. Since they are our pick in the East, you must try your best to stack your team with Capitals and make sure Ovechkin is your #1 pick if possible. For once the best player will play 4 rounds.
Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars) – Seguin was on pace to have his best season of his career before getting injured a few weeks before the end of the regular season. The team wasn't taking any risks, and made sure he got full rest and recovery heading to the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is the Stars' year and no one will stand in their path in the West.
Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) – Benn is a natural goal scorer on a team that will score in bunches throughout the playoffs. Add him to Tyler Seguin and you will dominate your NHL playoff pool. If you can't get Seguin, make sure you at least have Benn to protect from someone else getting the combo and running away with all the cash.
Niklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals) – Spotting a trend here? You must have Capitals and Stars on your team in order to win this year's playoff pools. Backstrom is your next best bet as he will be feeding Ovechkin. He won't score you a ton of goals, so check your pool rules, but he'll be up there in assists and points...so if that works, stack him with OV8.
Defensemen
John Klingberg (Dallas Stars) – Klingberg finished the 2015 - 2016 NHL regular season with 10 goals and 48 assists for a total of 58 points, with 22 of those points coming on the power play. He will be manning the point for the Stars for most PP situations throughout the playoffs and that means lots of ice time with Seguin and Benn. Should be the 1st defenceman off the board in your playoff pool - if not, he is a steal for you!
John Carlson (Washington Capitals) – Although Carlson only had 39 points during the regular season - that came in only 56 games. Projected over a full season, he would have tallied 57 points - right up there matching stats with Klingberg. Since Carlson will be meeting Klingberg in the Stanley Cup Finals, either will work in your playoff pool. Some might miss that Carlson was out with injury and you can grab him a little later.
Goalies
Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals) – You know Holtby will start every playoff game for the Capitals. You know the Caps will be in the Stanley Cup Finals. Holtby will win the Vezina as best goalie for the season...so he is the obvious #1 choice as best goaltender for any 2016 NHL Playoff Pool. Don't blink - just pick him.
John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks) – Our 1st non-Washington, non-Dallas pick is John Gibson. The main reason here is you just don't know who will be in net in Dallas through the playoffs as they will be playing the hot hand in net. While in Anaheim, it is pretty much going to be Gibson's show from start to finish. Gibson actually had a better Goals Against Average than Holtby in the regular season. He stands on his head when necessary.
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