2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Fantasy Rankings: Skaters, D-Men and Goalies to Target

Playoff pools are all about squeezing maximum value from a limited number of games. With the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs here, you need to balance star power, power-play roles, and the odds of a deep run. Using NHL.com’s rankings as a guide, let’s break down how to attack your pool around elite options like Mitch Marner, Frederik Andersen, and a few high-upside sleepers.

What’s New & Why It Matters

NHL.com’s playoff pool rankings focus on players expected to drive offense and log heavy minutes across four rounds. The list highlights Marner as the top skater, with a premium role as a top-six winger and PP1 fixture for the VGK. That combination of usage and team strength makes him one of the safest anchors for any playoff roster.

Up front, Jack Eichel is flagged as a key forward for the playoffs, reinforcing the idea that Vegas stacks can be a cornerstone of your build. Pairing Eichel with Marner or Pavel Dorofeyev gives you exposure to a high-powered attack that should generate plenty of goals and power-play chances if VGK advances.

On defense, Lane Hutson stands out as a top-ranked blueliner for Montreal. His appeal comes from offensive upside and the potential to run PP1, which is gold in playoff formats where every point is magnified. Even if the Canadiens aren’t favored to go deep, Hutson’s per-game ceiling keeps him in the conversation.

In net, Andersen is identified as the top goalie option. Carolina’s structure and win equity, combined with Andersen’s starting role, give him a strong floor in wins-based formats. Meanwhile, rookie Jakub Dobes is highlighted as a backup with surprise potential for Montreal, making him an intriguing late goalie stash or stream if the crease opens up.

Finally, Logan Stankoven is ranked highly among forwards for Carolina. Slotted as a top-six center, he offers a mix of scoring upside and playoff runway, especially if he sticks in a scoring role throughout the postseason.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only playoff pools, your priority is simple: stack elite skaters on teams with a realistic shot at multiple series wins. Marner’s status as the top-ranked skater, combined with his top-six and PP1 deployment, makes him a foundational piece. If you can pair him with Eichel, you’re effectively betting on Vegas to score heavily and go deep, which is exactly what these rankings are hinting at.

Dorofeyev is a classic complementary piece in this format. As a top-six winger for the same team, he gives you correlated scoring with Marner and Eichel at a lower acquisition cost. If he sticks in a scoring role, he can ride shotgun on big nights without needing to be the focal point.

For Montreal, Hutson is the type of defenseman who can punch above his team’s overall outlook. If he’s running PP1, even a short series can yield a strong point total from the back end. He’s more volatile than a sure-thing veteran, but the offensive ceiling is exactly what you want in a limited-game environment.

Stankoven’s strong forward ranking suggests Carolina trusts him in a scoring role. In points-only formats, that top-six center usage on a deep team is extremely valuable. If the Hurricanes make a long run, Stankoven could end up as one of the more efficient scorers relative to his initial cost.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category playoff pools, volume and team strength matter even more. Andersen’s top-goalie tag is critical here: Carolina’s ability to suppress chances and pile up wins gives him a strong profile for wins, save percentage, and potentially shutouts. If your format counts goalie categories heavily, he should be near the top of your target list.

Dobes is more of a strategic stash. As a rookie backup, he doesn’t project for heavy volume out of the gate, but if he seizes the net in Montreal, he can deliver a short burst of saves and potentially a few wins at minimal cost. He’s best used as a contingency play in deeper formats where you can afford to chase upside.

Among skaters, Marner and Eichel bring strong shot volume and power-play production, which translates well to categories like shots on goal and power-play points. Dorofeyev and Stankoven may not drive peripherals to the same extent, but their offensive roles still make them useful in leagues where goals, assists, and PPP carry the most weight.

Hutson’s value in bangers formats will depend on whether your league counts blocks or shots more heavily. His primary appeal is offense, but if he logs big minutes, he can chip in peripheral stats as well. Just don’t overrate him for hits or PIM unless your format is unusually friendly to offensive defensemen who play a lot.

Dynasty / Keeper

For long-term formats, this playoff run is as much about evaluation as it is about immediate production. Dorofeyev is tagged as a prospect to watch, and a strong postseason in a top-six role for Vegas could solidify his place as a long-term scoring winger. Even if his team exits early, meaningful playoff minutes are a positive signal for his future usage.

Stankoven’s high forward ranking and top-six center role for Carolina are huge dynasty green flags. If he proves he can handle tough playoff matchups, you’re looking at a potential long-term core piece. This is the type of player you consider as a buy in dynasty, especially if a manager in your league is focused only on immediate results.

Hutson is already being treated like a top offensive defenseman in these rankings. For keeper and dynasty managers, that’s confirmation that his offensive toolkit is translating quickly. Even if Montreal’s playoff window isn’t fully open yet, Hutson’s trajectory suggests he could be a cornerstone fantasy defenseman for years.

In goal, Dobes is the classic long-term stash. A playoff cameo or strong relief performance could accelerate his path to a bigger role in Montreal. Andersen, by contrast, is more of a win-now piece: extremely valuable for this playoff run, but less of a long-term building block compared to the younger names.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Mitch Marner – Add (all formats): Top-ranked playoff skater with top-six and PP1 deployment on a strong Vegas squad.
Frederik Andersen – Add (wins-heavy formats): Clear starting goalie for Carolina with strong win equity and top overall goalie ranking.
Jack Eichel – Add (points-only and categories): Key forward for Vegas who should drive offense and correlate well with Marner.
Pavel Dorofeyev – Watchlist / Deep add: Top-six winger for Vegas who can ride shotgun on a potent attack at a lower acquisition cost.
Lane Hutson – Add (offense-focused leagues): Top-ranked Montreal defenseman with potential PP1 role and high offensive ceiling.
Logan Stankoven – Add (standard and deep): Highly ranked top-six center for Carolina with room to outperform expectations on a deep team.
Jakub Dobes – Short-term stream / stash: Rookie backup in Montreal who could become a surprise contributor if the crease opens up.

Fantasy Takeaways

Build around Marner and Eichel if you want to bet heavily on Vegas scoring and a deep playoff run.
Prioritize Andersen in any format where goalie wins and ratios can swing your pool.
Use Dorofeyev and Stankoven as high-upside complements who benefit from strong team contexts and top-six roles.
Target Hutson where offensive defensemen are scarce; his PP1 potential can swing short series.
In deeper formats, stash Dobes as a speculative goalie who could gain value quickly with any change in Montreal’s crease.

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