2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Fantasy Rankings: Skaters and Goalies to Trust

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different game, and your fantasy pool needs to reflect that. Usage tightens, stars play half the game, and one hot goalie can swing an entire bracket. Using NHL.com’s playoff rankings as a base, let’s sort out which elite skaters and goalies you should prioritize, who carries risk, and where you can find sneaky value for your playoff pool or postseason fantasy formats.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The big takeaway from the latest playoff rankings is that true superstars still rule the board. Nathan MacKinnon is graded as the premier skater thanks to his heavy usage as a top-line center and PP1 driver for Colorado, with massive multi-point upside whenever the Avalanche are rolling. Right behind him is Connor McDavid, whose combination of ice time and power-play dominance keeps him in the conversation for the best fantasy asset in any playoff format.

On the back end, Cale Makar is highlighted as the top defenseman, reinforcing how valuable an elite offensive blueliner can be when minutes spike and special-teams opportunities become critical. In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy sits atop the rankings as the workhorse starter expected to log nearly every meaningful minute for Tampa Bay, giving him both volume and win equity.

Injuries and uncertainty also play a major role. Leon Draisaitl carries a clear injury flag, which dings his reliability despite his usual elite production profile. Meanwhile, rookies and fringe starters like Ivan Demidov and Filip Gustavsson emerge as upside swings: Demidov as a potential breakout forward if he sticks in a scoring role, Gustavsson as a goalie who could become a playoff hero if Minnesota goes on a run.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only playoff pools, you’re chasing raw scoring and longevity. MacKinnon and McDavid are in their own tier because they check every box: massive ice time, top power-play usage, and track records of producing when games matter most. MacKinnon’s ranking as the top skater underscores that Colorado’s top line is expected to drive a deep run; if your format rewards total points over per-game averages, that combination of talent and projected games is gold.

Makar’s status as the top defenseman means he should be treated almost like a high-end forward in points-only formats. A defenseman who can keep pace with top-six forwards in scoring while logging huge minutes is a positional cheat code, especially when power-play production is weighted the same as even-strength points.

In goal, Vasilevskiy’s projection as the leading playoff goalie makes him the safest anchor in points-only leagues that count wins and shutouts. Tampa Bay’s history of leaning on him heavily in high-leverage situations boosts his floor; even if his rate stats are merely solid, the volume of starts and potential for series wins can separate him from other options. Gustavsson is more of a swing: he has strong playoff potential, but his value is tied directly to how far Minnesota can realistically go.

Demidov is more format- and depth-dependent. In shallow points-only pools, he’s more of a late-round or end-of-roster gamble; in deeper formats, he becomes a viable upside play if you believe Montreal can score enough and give him meaningful offensive deployment. His ranking as a prospect to watch signals that the talent is real, but there’s role risk compared to the established stars.

Categories / Bangers

Category leagues in the playoffs still prioritize points, but peripherals matter more when margins are tight. MacKinnon and McDavid remain foundational pieces because they typically contribute across shots, power-play points, and often plus-minus on strong teams. Their heavy usage in all situations gives them more chances to fill the box score every night.

Makar’s value rises further in multi-cat setups. As a top defenseman, he can chip in shots, power-play points, and blocks while playing huge minutes. If your league counts hits or blocks, his all-situations deployment makes him a rare defenseman who can help in both scoring and banger categories.

The rankings flag Draisaitl as an avoid in categories due to current injury concerns. In playoff formats where you can’t easily replace injured players, availability is a category unto itself. Even if he’s active, any lingering issue could cap his physical peripherals (hits, shots) and reduce his overall impact. That risk profile makes him a fade relative to fully healthy stars.

In goal, Vasilevskiy is again the premium asset: volume of starts, strong chance at wins, and the potential for elite save percentage and shutouts. Gustavsson profiles more as a categories streamer; if he gets hot and Minnesota tightens up defensively, he can provide strong ratios over a short series, but he doesn’t have Vasilevskiy’s track record or team context to guarantee long-term volume.

Dynasty / Keeper

For dynasty and keeper managers running playoff side games, the rankings offer a window into long-term value. MacKinnon, McDavid, and Makar are entrenched franchise pillars; nothing about these playoff projections changes that. If anything, their continued dominance in high-leverage situations reinforces their status as near-untouchable assets unless you’re getting a massive haul in return via the NHL Trade Analyzer.

Demidov is the most intriguing name for long-term formats. Tagged as a rookie forward with breakout potential and a prospect-watch fantasy label, he’s exactly the type of player you stash before the rest of your league fully buys in. A strong playoff showing, even over a short run, could quickly vault his perceived value, so this may be your last chance to acquire him at a discount.

Gustavsson’s playoff ranking as a viable starter with strong potential also matters in dynasty. If he establishes himself as a reliable postseason goalie, it strengthens his hold on Minnesota’s crease and raises his long-term fantasy profile. Goalie value is notoriously volatile, but playoff performance often shapes team decisions and future workloads.

Draisaitl’s injury note is more of a short-term concern than a dynasty indictment. Elite players in their prime rarely lose long-term value from a single playoff injury flag, but it can create short-term buy-low windows if a frustrated manager in your league is overly spooked by his current status.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nathan MacKinnon – Add in all playoff formats: Top-ranked skater with massive minutes and PP1 usage, giving him league-winning upside if Colorado goes deep.
Connor McDavid – Add in all playoff formats: Still an elite scorer with unmatched playmaking and power-play production for Edmonton.
Cale Makar – Add, priority defenseman: Top offensive blueliner who can score like a forward while logging huge playoff minutes.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Add/anchor goalie: Ranked as the leading playoff goalie with workhorse volume and strong win potential for Tampa Bay.
Filip Gustavsson – Short-term stream: Starting goalie with strong playoff upside if Minnesota catches fire in an early series.
Ivan Demidov – Watchlist / deep add: Rookie forward with breakout potential if he secures a scoring role for Montreal.
Leon Draisaitl – Cautious add / avoid in shallow: Injury concerns cap his reliability, making him risky where replacement options are strong.

Fantasy Takeaways

Build your playoff offense around Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid, who combine elite talent with heavy usage and strong team contexts.
Prioritize Cale Makar early among defensemen; his offensive ceiling and minutes make him a near-forward level asset from the blue line.
Lock in Andrei Vasilevskiy as your primary goalie where possible, then use options like Filip Gustavsson as upside streams behind him.
Factor in injury risk with Leon Draisaitl; in shallow or limited-roster formats, his current health questions can justify pivoting to safer stars.
In dynasty and deep playoff pools, stash Ivan Demidov now before a potential breakout spikes his cost.

Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.