Fantasy Hockey Category Targets for the Final Stretch

The clock is almost out on the fantasy season, which means every add has to solve a specific problem. Instead of chasing random hot streaks, target players whose roles and category profiles match what you need right now. Using options like Anze Kopitar, Alexis Lafreniere, and others, we’ll group recommendations by scoring, power-play exposure, peripherals, and short-week streaming so you can squeeze maximum value out of the remaining schedule.

What’s New & Why It Matters

This late in the year, usage changes and clarified roles matter more than long-term upside. Kopitar is driving offense for the Kings again, piling up assists while remaining one of the league’s most reliable faceoff contributors. Lafreniere has locked into a top-line, power-play role for the Rangers, turning opportunity into consistent goal scoring and man-advantage production. In St. Louis, Jimmy Snuggerud is getting prime even-strength deployment on the top line, bringing a blend of goals and physicality. Bobby McMann is being trusted on the Kraken’s top line and power play, giving him access to premium offensive minutes.

On the back end, Owen Power is quietly stacking blocks while chipping in points for the Sabres, making him a strong multi-cat blue-line option. In goal, Connor Ingram has been named the starter for the Oilers, which immediately boosts his value in leagues that reward saves and wins. Together, these role shifts create clear category targets that can swing tight matchups, especially on weeks where their teams enjoy favorable schedules or off-night games.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If your league is pure scoring, focus on players whose roles maximize points regardless of peripherals. Kopitar’s top-six, PP1 deployment means steady assist volume and exposure to the Kings’ best finishers. He’s less about raw goal scoring and more about racking up helpers and secondary points, which still count the same in your standings.

Lafreniere is the higher-ceiling swing here. Locked into the top line and PP1 for New York, he’s converting his recent hot streak into sustainable value thanks to elite linemates and heavy offensive usage. He’s the priority add in shallow and standard points-only formats if you need pure scoring punch.

McMann also belongs in the scoring conversation. Top-line and PP1 usage in Seattle gives him access to prime offensive situations, and he’s shown he can finish when given the chance. In deeper points-only leagues, he’s a strong speculative add if you’re chasing upside in the final weeks.

On defense, Power offers a nice floor. He may not explode offensively, but steady secondary scoring from the blue line is valuable in deeper formats, especially when it comes with heavy minutes and a stable role.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat and bangers leagues, you want players who contribute in multiple columns without killing you elsewhere. Kopitar is a classic categories asset: strong assist totals, solid plus-minus in most formats, and elite faceoff wins. If your league counts draws, he’s a difference-maker in head-to-head matchups.

Lafreniere adds goals, shots, and power-play points, and while he’s not a pure banger, his scoring volume is enough to anchor your offensive categories. Snuggerud, meanwhile, is the prototypical bangers-friendly winger: top-line usage for goals, plus a willingness to hit. In leagues that count hits alongside goals and shots, he’s a priority add in deeper formats.

McMann fits nicely as a goals and power-play specialist with some peripheral juice. He’s not as heavy a hitter as Snuggerud, but his combination of scoring and man-advantage time makes him a strong categories play, especially if you’re chasing power-play points late in the week.

On defense, Power brings blocks and modest offense, which is exactly what you want from a depth D in categories leagues. He can stabilize your blue line if you’re behind in blocks while still helping in points and plus-minus. In net, Ingram’s starting role for Edmonton means volume saves and a good chance at wins whenever the Oilers’ offense shows up. If you’re streaming goalies for saves or chasing a final win or two, he’s a premium late-season target.

Dynasty / Keeper

Even in the final weeks, it’s worth thinking beyond this season. Lafreniere’s emergence on the Rangers’ top line and PP1 is a major signal for dynasty managers. This isn’t just a hot streak; it’s a player finally getting and capitalizing on prime deployment. He should be treated as a long-term core piece in most keeper formats.

Snuggerud is intriguing as a developing power winger on the Blues’ top line. If he sticks in that role, his blend of scoring and hits makes him a long-term category gem. He’s worth stashing in deeper dynasty leagues where multi-cat forwards are at a premium.

Power remains a foundational blue-liner for Buffalo. His combination of heavy minutes, blocks, and growing offensive confidence suggests a steady climb in value over the next few seasons. In dynasty, he’s more of a long-term hold than a short-term spike, but that’s exactly what you want from a young defenseman.

Ingram’s keeper value depends on how firmly he holds the starter’s job in Edmonton. For now, treat him as a high-upside short- to medium-term option; if he cements himself as the long-term starter, his dynasty stock will rise significantly.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Anze Kopitar – Add (Scoring & Faceoffs): Top-six, PP1 center for the Kings who can stabilize assists and dominate faceoff wins in categories leagues.
Alexis Lafreniere – Add (Scoring & PP Exposure): Rangers top-line, PP1 winger on a heater, ideal if you need goals and power-play points down the stretch.
Jimmy Snuggerud – Add (Peripherals): Blues top-line winger bringing a mix of goals and hits, perfect for bangers formats needing multi-cat coverage.
Bobby McMann – Short-term stream (Scoring & PP): Kraken top-line, PP1 usage makes him a strong short-week streamer for goals and man-advantage production.
Owen Power – Add (Blocks & Depth Scoring): Sabres top-four defenseman who can pad blocks while chipping in enough offense to matter in deeper leagues.
Connor Ingram – Add (Goalie Volume): Oilers’ starting goalie, offering a valuable combination of saves and win potential for late-season category pushes.

Fantasy Takeaways

If you need assists and faceoff wins, Kopitar is a priority add thanks to his top-six, PP1 role and elite draw volume.
Lafreniere’s top-line, PP1 deployment in New York makes him a must-add for managers chasing goals and power-play points.
Snuggerud and McMann are ideal category adds for managers needing a mix of goals, hits, and PP production from top-line wingers.
Power quietly boosts blocks and depth scoring from the blue line, making him a strong multi-cat stabilizer in deeper formats.
Ingram’s status as Edmonton’s starter gives him immediate value for saves and wins; stream or add him wherever you’re thin in goal.

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