By Evan Berofsky, RotoWire.com
There are just under weeks left until the playoff fate of each NHL club is decided. The same can apply to your fantasy hockey team, if you’ve been lucky enough to make it this far.
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You’re almost there. Stay positive. And it continues like this considering some of the following players.
(Rates published as of April 3)
Forwards
Artturi Lehkonen, COL (Yahoo: 50%): Lehkonen returned from an 11-game absence last Thursday and finally returned to his usual uniform line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. He’s been relegated to the Avs’ second power play, but he’s still scored three points and five shots in four outings with all of the latter players over the last two. As long as Lehkonen stays in the top six, he will continue to produce.
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Mikael Granlund, ANH (Yahoo: 41%): Any active forward who is in the top half of the depth chart in a strong, PP-leading offense represents a solid fantasy addition for most formats. This applies to Granlund, who also rates on Yahoo at all three positions. His coverage has skyrocketed recently thanks to a four-game stretch in which he scored seven goals, including four points per game. Granlund’s stock has also improved as he has averaged just under 20 minutes in recent weeks with 17 shots and 55 faceoff wins.
Lawson Crouse, UTA (Yahoo: 18%): Crouse is not typically associated with being a scorer, although he has been known to go on the run from time to time. He is currently in one of them, having accumulated four goals and two assists in addition to 17 shots, 25 hits and 22 PIM in the last eight meetings. This stretch also coincides with Crouse skating alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz at five-on-five. Even if he leaves that trio, there is still enough cross-class production for him to fit on any roster.
Alexander Wennberg, SJ (Yahoo: 10%): Wennberg is just eight points away from equaling his personal best. And if recent production and placement is anything to go by, there’s a good chance it will. After all, Wennberg has scored four goals, three assists and seven shots in five appearances, and four of those points came while he was one man on a unit that included Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. He is also in the top 25 in the league in average ice time (20:31). By all of those indicators and with the Sharks trying to claim a postseason berth, Wennberg should not be available in nine out of 10 Yahoo leagues.
Jack Quinn, BUF (Yahoo: 10%): Although Quinn’s minutes are similar to recent years, he has already far surpassed his previous scoring peak. He recorded his first NHL hat trick on March 10 and then moved up to Buffalo’s leading power play, where he posted four PPPs in the last five games, along with 19 shots and eight hits. That kind of overall involvement needs to be in more fantasy lineups.
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Mateo Coronato, CGY (Yahoo: 7%): The Flames’ selloff wasn’t as drastic as some predicted. The remaining talent appears to be thriving, and Coronato is no exception. He has three goals, six assists, three PPP and 22 shots in 16:33 per night in nine outings. With Coronato being a key part of Calgary’s future, he will be given as many opportunities as he can. Pick him up as a solid complementary scorer, just be prepared for the inevitable plus-minus hit.
Porter Martone, PHI (Yahoo: 6%): Martone signed a pro contract shortly after Michigan State was eliminated in the Frozen Four regionals and made his debut in Philadelphia on Tuesday when he clocked 16:54 (3:17 of that on the backup PP) and fired five pucks on net. He then earned his first NHL point, an assist, on Thursday, where he skated for more than 18 minutes. It will be favorable for the Flyers to have a player who put up 50 points in 35 games against NCAA opponents, especially with the team in a playoff race. Even as a teenager, Martone’s offensive skills can only help the organization and his fantasy team.
Calum Ritchie, JNI (Yahoo: 1%): A couple of lower-body issues didn’t keep Ritchie out for long, and he was obviously too good against minor league competition while also not going to be rushed with the Isles. The main tangible piece of the Brock Nelson trade at the 2025 deadline, Ritchie recorded his first point with his new organization during Game 11. Ritchie has steadily improved to become a regular on the lead man advantage, although he is only successful at a rate of 17.0%, and has found the scoresheet in five straight games. Low risk, possibly high reward. Take risks.
Defenses
Sam Malinski, COL (Yahoo: 28%): Cale Makar’s upper-body injury likely won’t be at risk for the remainder of the regular season with the Avs close to clinching the first overall seed. That left Malinski to fill the role of Colorado’s top right defender and top power quarterback. He was already enjoying a career campaign before Makar’s absence and now has 37 points, eight of them in his last five along with 11 shots and eight blocks. Expect Malinski to continue to ramp up the offense.
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Parker Wotherspoon, PIT (Yahoo: 10%): It’s been a long, and mostly AHL-filled, career for Wotherspoon after he was drafted in 2015 and then didn’t make a regular major league appearance until 2023-24. The Pens saw enough promise in him last season with Boston to sign him to a two-year deal. Wotherspoon has repaid his confidence by appearing in all 76 games and posting three goals, 26 assists, 156 hits and 108 blocks. He has also been solid over the last 11 games with nine assists, 22 hits and 11 blocks. Wotherspoon may not be running with the man advantage, but he is well positioned on equal strength alongside Erik Karlsson.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous, tuberculosis (Yahoo: 6%): What started out as a great story has become a revelation, as D’Astous makes the most of an enhanced role and continues to contribute. Going back to March 14, he had nine points, 10 shots, 19 hits and 11 blocks. Ice time may not be plentiful, although D’Astous has made the most of it while occupying a secondary PP role. With Victor Hedman not returning anytime soon, D’Astous remains a valuable addition for anyone looking to improve their blueline scoring stats.
Jordan Spence, OTT (Yahoo: 6%): Ottawa’s dwindling defense corps was mentioned last week when discussing Carter Yakemchuk, who has since been injured. Spence was expected to take on more responsibilities after arriving from Los Angeles in June, however, there were plenty of healthy scratches early on. There wasn’t much involvement on the power play before Jake Sanderson’s injury, which only increased after Thomas Chabot went down. Spence is currently operating at the Sens’ top PP and has totaled two goals, seven assists (two of those PPA), and 19 shots in the last 10 matchups in 24:05 a night, including a whopping 30:48 (!!) on Wednesday.
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Goalkeepers
Jordan Binnington, STL (Yahoo: 48%): Surprisingly, the Blues are still in the playoff hunt, just five points away from a wild card spot. Joel Hofer has been promoted here twice this season. And before allowing five goals on Monday, he impressed in nine appearances, posting a 7-0-2 record along with a 1.29 GAA and a .955 save percentage. Despite struggling previously, Binnington has fared well since returning from the Olympics with a 1.74/.925 line in seven starts. If St. Louis wants to maximize its chances of advancing, it will need to rely on both goalies, meaning Binnington should earn enough starts the rest of the way.
Yaroslav Askarov, SJ (Yahoo: 34%): San Jose is also part of a crowded Western Conference postseason picture to take the club to the next stage for the first time since 2018-19. Askarov hasn’t been the most consistent goalkeeper overall and was recently injured. Although they allowed seven goals during their last two meetings, both ended in victories with some key saves protecting a lead or spurring the Sharks forward. Alex Nedeljkovic performed admirably while Askarov was out, although he also conceded at least five goals on three occasions between March 17 and 24. It could also give Askarov a chance to maintain his momentum.