Fantasy hockey playoff guide

Welcome to the fantasy hockey playoff guide, as Week 13 marks the last week of the regular season in standard head-to-head formats. I broke Week 13 down for those needing streamers to get into the playoffs next week, but this article is mostly about the fantasy hockey playoff schedule (Week 14-16). I have weekly rankings and playoff rankings below, as well as a fantasy hockey spin on yesterday’s NHL trade deadline throughout.

Below you’ll see which teams play the most games from here until the end of the fantasy hockey season and which have the best schedules throughout the playoffs. I’ve highlighted teams with the most games over the next two weeks and those with the fewest games. There are a few teams with only two games during the quarterfinals which means it’s likely time to move on from those players, even if they have high fantasy ceilings. You’ll also see a representative from each team playing the most games during the fantasy hockey playoffs. I scanned the waiver wire across Yahoo, ESPN and Fantrax leagues and sought out the players rostered in fewer than 60% of leagues.

Any questions you can hit me up @chrismeaney. Check out Mean Streets and Fantasy Hockey Picks and Bets for more NHL content.

Rest-of-season rankings

Most games left (UPDATED as of Mon April. 19th):

Vancouver Canucks — 18
Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings —14
Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche — 13

Fewest games left:

Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals — 10

11 games in the fantasy hockey playoffs (April 19-May 9)

Boston Bruins

David Krejci, C

The addition of Taylor Hall is good for Krejci’s game as the two are expected to play together and we could see David Pastrnak round out the line at times. For now Pastrnak will go back on the top line, but Hall and Krejci should be owned. Krejci's a pass-first player as 21 of his 23 points have been assists.

Craig Smith, RW

Smith has two goals, six points and two power-play points over a current four-game point streak since being placed on the first line. He has three goals and 12 points over his past 10 games. He’s making up for his slow start at the perfect time. Smith will be just fine on the second line and he'll get time on the second PP which should be better with the addition of Hall.

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Ristolainen, D

If you’re looking for hits and blocks.

Sam Reinhart/Tage Thompson/Casey Mittelstadt

Deep league adds.

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes, C/LW

I don’t have a ton of interest in Hughes from a redraft standpoint, but you should check to make sure he’s owned in keeper leagues.

Nico Hischier, C

Deep add only.

New York Rangers

Jacob Trouba, D

Trouba is a beast in leagues with hits, blocks and shots. His three points over his last four games are a bonus, and one came on the PP.

Colin Blackwell, LW/RW

I’m surprised Blackwell’s ownership is so low despite three goals and four points in his last four games. Blackwell scored two goals in 9:28 of ice time on March 28th and he has six goals and seven points since (eight games). He’s playing on the second line and he’s played at least 16 minutes in three of his past five games.

Vitali Kravtsov, RW

Probably not a redraft pickup unless you’re playing in deep leagues, but Kravtsov spent a bit of time on the Rangers’ first line with Mika Zibanejad in his last game. The ninth overall pick in 2018 should be owned in all dynasty formats.

Dallas Stars

Jason Robertson, LW

Robertson has been a must-own for the past three weeks. He’s the 41st ranked player in standard formats over the last 30 days: 7 G, 14 PTS, 3 PPP, 54 SOG. The Stars have a lot of games to make up and they are getting some reinforcements back soon.

Jamie Oleksiak, D

Oleksiak single-handedly won me my hits and blocks categories last week as he racked up 20 hits and 13 blocks in Week 12. He has 37 hits and 18 blocks in his last seven games. His 62 hits over the last 30 days rank third and his 29 blocks are inside the top 20.

Esa Lindell, D

Lindell is a nice fallback option if you can’t get Oleksiak as he has 23 hits and 18 blocks in his last seven games.

Florida Panthers

Mason Marchment, LW

Marchment is owned in zero percent of Yahoo leagues, but I have a couple of shares of him in deeper formats. He only has two points in his last seven games, but he’s been playing heavy minutes on the top line. The rookie has also been contributing in the shot and hit categories. Anthony Duclair’s return likely pushed Marchment to the third line with Noel Acciari and Frank Vatrano, but it’s possible he gets moved back on the first line over time.

Sam Bennett, C/LW/RW

Bennett could also get a chance on the first line with Barkov, but I don’t think he’s good enough to stick. He’s someone to monitor for now, but he’s likely only a deep league add for those looking for hits.

Others to consider: Anthony Duclair, Frank Vatrano, Noel Acciari, Gustav Forsling

Minnesota Wild

Mats Zuccarello, W

Goals in three straight games with five points over that span (three on the PP). He's also shooting again.

Jared Spurgeon, D

Spurgeon logged 26:50 in his last game and he finished with six blocks. He has 11 blocks in his last three games and also has three points over that span. Spurgeon has five PPP in his last six games and I have him ranked as the number one DEF in MIN.

Marcus Foligno, LW/RW

Foligno is someone to keep an eye on in banger leagues. He’s expected to return to the lineup this week and he was on a run before he suffered a lower body injury that forced him to miss 15 games. The winger has seven goals, 16 points, 58 hits and 29 penalty minutes in 23 games.

Montreal Canadiens

Nicholas Suzuki, C/RW

Suzuki is Montreal’s most skilled center and he’s been linked to Tyler Toffoli for most of the season.

Joel Armia, LW/RW

Armia only has one point in three games since returning to the lineup, but he has five shots and nine hits. He's playing with Suzuki and Toffoli, and that's been Montreal's best line over the past week.

Cole Caufield, RW

Dynasty and keeper leagues only. It’s possible we see him recalled, but he’s a risky redraft add.

San Jose Sharks

Mario Ferraro, D

Great source for hits as he has 16 in his last three games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Alex Galchenyuk, C/LW

Six points in 12 games with the Maple Leafs and likely has a spot in the top six until Nick Foligno makes his debut in a week.

Nick Foligno, LW/RW

If you have a bye next week and you play with hits, Foligno is a decent streamer in deeper formats. He could play on the second line and second PP. He’s been one of the most added players since the trade deadline, but keep in mind he has to quarantine for a week.

Vegas Golden Knights

Chandler Stephenson, C/LW

Stephenson has one goal, three points and eight shots in four games since returning from a three game suspension. He took his spot back on the first line and there’s value in that. Plus, he can win you a few draws if in need.

Alex Tuch, LW/RW

Tuch has 16 goals on the season and he's owned in fewer than 50% of leagues. He has three goals, four points and 17 shots in his last four games. VGK have a great looking schedule in Week 14.

Brayden McNabb, D

McNabb is great in leagues with hits and blocks.

10 games in the fantasy hockey playoffs (April 19-May 9)

Carolina Hurricanes

Jordan Staal, C

Staal is hovering around the 60% mark. Even if you don’t play with hits or faceoff wins, he’s a solid add.

Vancouver Canucks

Part of Vancouver’s schedule is still up in the air and it’s unclear who will be healthy to play over the next couple of weeks, but they have more remaining games than anyone. Stock up where you can if you play in a roto league. I’d rank them like this:

J.T. Miller
Bo Horvat
Brock Boeser
Quinn Hughes
Tyler Motte
Alexander Edler
Jimmy Vesey
Nils Hoglander

Week 14 (Quarterfinals, April 19-25)

4 games

Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Carolina Hurricanes – Martin Necas
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Minnesota Wild
Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins – Jared McCann, Jeff Carter (stock up)
Tampa Bay Lightning – Yanni Gourde

2 games

Anaheim Ducks — Cut everyone.
Washington Capitals — Anthony Mantha is worth your time if you have a bye in Week 14.
St. Louis Blues — Keep the big boys.
Colorado Avalanche — Also keep the big boys. Devon Toews and Joonas Donskoi can go.
Winnipeg Jets — Could see cutting Pierre-Luc Dubois, Paul Stastny and Josh Morrissey.

Week 14 schedule:

Monday: 8
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 4
Thursday: 10
Friday: 5
Saturday: 11
Sunday: 4

Quick hits:

Update: Attack Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The Montreal Canadiens (Nicholas Suzuki, Joel Armia), Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators (Matt Duchene, Viktor Arvidsson & Tanner Jeannot), Chicago Blackhawks (Kirby Dach & Duncan Keith) and Minnesota Wild (Mats Zuccarello) play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres are the only teams with a game on Friday and Sunday. See up top for suggestions.

Week 15 (Semifinals, April 26-May 2)

4 games

Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Carolina Hurricanes
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings
Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers
Los Angeles Kings
Minnesota Wild
Montreal Canadiens
San Jose Sharks
St. Louis Blues
Tampa Bay Lightning
Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights

2 games

Columbus Blue Jackets — Cut everyone in redraft formats.

Week 16 (Finals, May 3-9)

3 games

Nashville Predators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
Dallas Stars
Chicago Blackhawks
Winnipeg Jets

2 games

Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers

1 game

Calgary Flames

Week 16 schedule:

Monday: 9
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 7
Thursday: 9
Friday: 5
Saturday: 15
Sunday: 1

Quick hits:

21 teams have four games for the week.
Tampa Bay and Detroit have back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.

Fantasy hockey waiver wire rankings (under 60%)

Fantasy hockey playoff guide

Rest-of-season rankings

11 games in the fantasy hockey playoffs (April 19-May 9)

10 games in the fantasy hockey playoffs (April 19-May 9)

Week 14 (Quarterfinals, April 19-25)

Week 15 (Semifinals, April 26-May 2)

Week 16 (Finals, May 3-9)

Fantasy hockey waiver wire rankings (under 60%)

Deep adds

Underowned defensemen

Drop candidates

Dynasty & keeper buys

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