We’ve hit the unofficial midway point of the NHL and Fantasy Hockey season with the All-Star break this weekend. All 32 NHL teams have played nearly 50 games and will be gearing up for the home stretch in February. You should be doing the same in your fantasy hockey league.
All eyes should be on the prize and setting your team up for success in the fantasy hockey playoffs. We’re going to take a look ahead to those fantasy hockey playoffs between March 18th and April 18th with an eye on which teams play on the lightest nights (nights in which less than half of the league is playing) to maximize your roster spots.
Fantasy Hockey Playoff Stashes: Teams to Target for Fantasy Hockey Playoffs
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights play 15 times in the final month of the season, with nine of those games coming on light nights.
Shea Theodore (D – 78% Rostered)
Theodore should be rostered in most leagues, but he’s been on LTIR for a while now. He’s worth targeting in a trade as he’s one of Vegas’ top defensemen when healthy, and he should be back before the fantasy hockey playoffs.
William Karlsson (C – 66% Rostered)
Karlsson is another Golden Knights player who was recently on IR but has been activated to return after the break. Scoop him up or target him in a trade for the long haul.
Ivan Barbashev (C, LW – 49% Rostered)
Barbashev found instant chemistry with Jack Eichel (who is also injured) after Vegas acquired him last season. He’s going to continue to play in the top six and should get a boost when Eichel returns in a few weeks — Eichel is probably also worth targeting if his manager is desperate to make a playoff run.
Brayden McNabb, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez are also worth looking at for a stash.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights play 15 times in the final month of the season, with nine of those games coming on light nights.
Shea Theodore (D – 78% Rostered)
Theodore should be rostered in most leagues, but he’s been on LTIR for a while now. He’s worth targeting in a trade as he’s one of Vegas’ top defensemen when healthy, and he should be back before the fantasy hockey playoffs.
William Karlsson (C – 66% Rostered)
Karlsson is another Golden Knights player who was recently on IR but has been activated to return after the break. Scoop him up or target him in a trade for the long haul.
Ivan Barbashev (C, LW – 49% Rostered)
Barbashev found instant chemistry with Jack Eichel (who is also injured) after Vegas acquired him last season. He’s going to continue to play in the top six and should get a boost when Eichel returns in a few weeks — Eichel is probably also worth targeting if his manager is desperate to make a playoff run.
Brayden McNabb, Chandler Stephenson, and Alec Martinez are also worth looking at for a stash.
Edmonton Oilers
Not only are the Oilers the hottest team in sports right now, but they also play a league-high 17 games in the final month, including eight games on light nights.
Their big dogs are obviously worth looking to trade for, especially if you’re firmly in a playoff spot. It may be worth “losing” the trade in the short term, knowing that you get a very favorable schedule in the final month.
Warren Foegele (LW, RW – 12% Rostered)
Foegele is (mc)lovin’ being along for the ride with the Oilers’ big guns. He has bottom-six skill but gets a chance to play on the second line at times for Edmonton. He’s worth a depth addition and a potential bench stash for a month until the playoffs hit.
Corey Perry (RW – 7% Rostered)
Keep an eye on the recently-signed Corey Perry as well. He’s playing on the third line right now but could be a perfect fit in front of the net on the power play and in the top six.
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are pushing for a playoff spot and are one of four teams to play 16 games in the final month of the season — only the aforementioned Oilers play more. Half of those games are on light nights as well.
Eeli Tolvanen (LW, RW – 49% Rostered)
Seattle smartly scooped up Tolvanen off waivers last year, and it’s paid huge dividends — hopefully, he can do the same for your fantasy hockey team.
Tolvanen has 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 49 games this season. He primarily plays on the third line, but his scoring touch gives him plenty of upside.
Jordan Eberle (RW – 40% Rostered)
Veteran winger Jordan Eberle has been heating up recently. He has 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Blue Jackets. He’s playing on the top line and is getting a few shots per game as well.
Tomas Tatar (LW, RW – 7% Rostered)
Tatar was another savvy addition by Seattle. He has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 18 games with the Kraken after putting up just nine points with the Avalanche prior to the trade. Tatar is getting a crack on the top line and second power-play unit as of now.
