2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Fantasy Pool Rankings: Skaters and Goalies to Prioritize

Playoff pools are all about squeezing maximum value out of a limited number of games. With NHL.com’s 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs fantasy pool rankings out, we can sharpen our board around elite skaters, high-leverage defensemen, and workhorse goalies. The key is balancing raw talent with the likelihood of a long run. Below, we break down how to treat stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Cale Makar, and top-ranked goalie Scott Wedgewood, plus how to handle injury risks such as Nikolaj Ehlers.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The latest rankings put MacKinnon and Kucherov at the top of the skater pool, with Wedgewood surprisingly leading the goalie board and Makar highlighted as the premier blueliner. The list is built around playoff-specific factors: recent performance, power-play roles, and the probability that their teams stay alive into late rounds.

For fantasy managers, that means you’re not just chasing the best player in a vacuum—you’re trying to project who will play the most games while still offering elite per-game output. MacKinnon is tagged as a top-line center with prime power-play usage on a team expected to push deep, which is exactly what you want anchoring your pool. Kucherov brings similar upside from the wing as a PP1 driver and consistent point producer.

On defense, Makar’s combination of top-pair minutes and first-unit power-play deployment makes him one of the few blueliners who can realistically hang with elite forwards in total playoff points. Meanwhile, Wedgewood’s ranking as the top goalie underscores how valuable a true starter on a potential contender can be—wins, saves, and shutout upside all stack quickly in short tournaments.

The rankings also flag injury concerns. Nikolaj Ehlers is listed as injured, which dramatically caps his playoff value even if he’s a high-end talent when healthy. In small playoff pools, burning a slot on an uncertain workload is a major risk, especially when safer options exist around the same tier.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only playoff formats, your priority is simple: maximize total points from players whose teams can realistically win multiple series. MacKinnon is the ideal centerpiece here. As a top-line, PP1 center with elite scoring touch and a strong chance at a deep run, he should be one of the first names you build around. His combination of volume (minutes, shot attempts, touches) and team context gives him as high a ceiling as anyone in the pool.

Kucherov belongs in that same top tier of skaters. As a top-line winger and primary power-play engine for TBL, he offers multi-point game upside and tends to be heavily involved in his team’s scoring. In playoff pools where you can stack teammates, pairing Kucherov with his power-play partners can be a strong correlation play if you’re betting on Tampa Bay to go on a run.

Makar is the rare defenseman who can rival top forwards in a points-only playoff format. He logs huge minutes, drives offense from the back end, and runs PP1. That combination means he can rack up primary points, secondary assists, and game-breaking performances that separate him from the pack of more defensive-minded blueliners. If your format doesn’t force you into positional quotas, Makar is still worth prioritizing early because he can outscore many high-end forwards over a long run.

On the flip side, Ehlers’ injury tag is a major red flag in points-only pools. Even if his per-game scoring is strong, the risk of limited games—or missing time entirely—means he’s better left for deeper formats where you can afford a speculative swing. In shallow or standard pools, you generally can’t justify that level of risk when healthy, top-six options are available.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category playoff formats, you still want the same core stars, but the way you value them shifts slightly. MacKinnon’s shot volume and offensive aggression make him even more valuable in leagues that count shots on goal, power-play points, and game-winners. He’s not just piling up assists; he’s a primary shooter and focal point on the man advantage.

Kucherov’s value spikes in categories that reward power-play production and assists. He’s a master distributor on PP1, and his ability to rack up multi-assist nights makes him a category monster. If your scoring includes power-play points or bonus weight for special-teams scoring, he’s right there with MacKinnon among the most impactful skaters.

Makar’s peripheral profile also plays up in bangers and multi-cat leagues. Heavy minutes mean more chances for shots, blocks, and even hits, depending on your settings. Add in his power-play role, and he becomes a multi-category anchor on the back end rather than just a points-only luxury.

In goal, Wedgewood’s status as a ranked top goalie is crucial for categories formats. Wins, save percentage, and shutouts can swing matchups quickly in small playoff pools. A starting goalie on a strong team can be worth almost as much as an elite forward when he’s logging every game in a series. If your format caps goalie slots, securing a workhorse like Wedgewood early can give you a massive edge.

Injury risk matters even more in categories leagues because an inactive player contributes nothing across the board. With Ehlers flagged as injured, he’s a clear avoid in most categories setups unless your pool is extremely deep and you have ample bench flexibility.

Dynasty / Keeper

Even though playoff pools are short-term by nature, the rankings still offer useful signals for dynasty and keeper managers. MacKinnon and Kucherov being at the top of the board reinforces their status as long-term franchise anchors. Their teams’ continued contention windows mean you can reasonably expect multiple playoff runs in the coming years, which is a subtle but real bonus in formats that reward playoff performance.

Makar’s profile is especially exciting in dynasty. A top-pair, PP1 defenseman who consistently shows up as an elite playoff option is exactly the kind of player you build a blue line around for the long haul. His ability to dominate both regular season and playoffs suggests a sustained high floor and ceiling.

Wedgewood’s ranking as the top goalie for this playoff run makes him a strong short-term asset, but in dynasty you should be a bit more cautious. Goalie value is volatile year-to-year, and playoff-specific rankings don’t always translate to long-term security. He’s a great win-now piece, but you should regularly reassess his role and team context rather than assuming long-term stability.

Martin Necas, highlighted in the rankings as a potential breakout, is a name to monitor closely in dynasty. A strong playoff showing can accelerate his trajectory, solidify his role in the top six, and boost his long-term fantasy stock. He’s the kind of player you might try to acquire before or during a playoff run if your league values postseason performance.

For Ehlers, the injury note is a reminder to weigh health history heavily in dynasty decisions. Elite talent still matters, but repeated or lingering injuries can chip away at long-term value. If your league allows offseason trading, using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge his market value after the playoffs can help you decide whether to hold or move on.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nathan MacKinnon – Add (all playoff pools): Elite top-line, PP1 center with a strong chance at a deep run; build your roster around him.
Nikita Kucherov – Add (all playoff pools): Consistent, high-end winger who drives PP1 and can match any forward in playoff scoring.
Cale Makar – Add (all playoff pools): Premier offensive defenseman whose minutes and PP1 role let him keep pace with top forwards.
Scott Wedgewood – Add (goalie priority): Ranked as the top goalie and projected to start deep into the playoffs, giving you a major edge in wins and ratios.
Martin Necas – Watchlist / Late add: Ranked highly as a potential breakout; if he pops early in the playoffs, move quickly to secure him.
Nikolaj Ehlers – Avoid (most formats): Injury concerns make him too risky for limited playoff rosters unless your pool is very deep.

Fantasy Takeaways

MacKinnon should be treated as a priority centerpiece in playoff pools thanks to his elite production and strong team outlook.
Wedgewood’s top-goalie ranking makes him a cornerstone in formats that heavily reward wins and ratios.
Necas is a prime breakout candidate—keep him on your radar, especially in dynasty and deeper playoff formats.
Ehlers’ injury status pushes him into the avoid category in most pools, where you can’t afford dead roster spots.
Makar’s offensive role and massive minutes make him the clear premium defenseman to target for the 2026 playoffs.

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