The NHL playoffs present a unique opportunity for fantasy players to capitalize on underperforming athletes. In this post, we highlight five players who have the potential to turn their season around and make a significant impact during the postseason.
Unlike regular season fantasy leagues, playoff success hinges on team performance rather than individual stats. This means that your choices should reflect the dynamics of each series. We provide in-depth breakdowns and strategic picks for all four matchups in the Western Conference.
Stay informed and ready to adjust your roster with our expert insights, ensuring you make the most of your fantasy opportunities as the playoffs unfold.
How to build a playoff fantasy hockey roster that lasts
The single biggest factor in playoff fantasy hockey is games played. A player on a team that reaches the later rounds can see far more games than a star whose club is knocked out in the first week, so the smartest drafts weigh how deep a team is likely to go as heavily as individual talent. Before you pick anyone, map out the bracket and think about which teams have the goaltending, depth and health to survive several best-of-seven series.
Balance favourites with value picks
Most managers in a playoff pool load up on the obvious contenders, which leaves little separation at the top of the standings. One way to gain an edge is to pair a core of players from likely deep-run teams with a few underperformers from clubs that match up well in the opening round. A forward who struggled through the regular season but still drives shot volume and power-play time often has a better chance of rebounding than a player whose numbers were inflated by luck.
Watch the underlying signals
- Ice time and special teams: Coaches shorten their benches in the postseason, so top-six forwards and top-pair defencemen on the power play gain value.
- Shooting percentage: A scorer with a low percentage but steady shot totals is a classic candidate to bounce back.
- Goaltending: A hot goaltender can carry an underdog, and a shaky one can sink a favourite quickly.
- Injuries: Players returning from injury right before the playoffs can be undervalued, but confirm they are back in the lineup before committing.
Stay flexible between rounds
If your format allows roster changes between series, track which teams are trailing and which players are being moved up or down the lineup. Swapping out skaters from eliminated teams promptly keeps your games-played total high. Our projections and rankings can help you compare options, and the tools section is useful for weighing matchups as each round unfolds.
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