Fantasy Hockey Playoff Pickups: Forwards and Goalies to Win Now

Fantasy playoffs are all about short windows and ruthless decisions. You don’t have time to wait on slumps or vague upside; you need players whose roles and schedules can swing a matchup this week. Here’s how to attack the wire using elevated opportunities for forwards like Valeri Nichushkin and emerging volume from goalies like Frederik Andersen.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The common thread with these playoff pickups is role. Injuries and late-season shuffling have pushed several names into premium deployment right when fantasy managers need it most.

In Colorado, Nichushkin is locked into a top-six role for the Colorado Avalanche, seeing more ice because of injuries ahead of him. Extra minutes with elite teammates translate directly into scoring chances and power-play touches.
In Carolina, Andersen is re-establishing himself as the starting goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes, which means more starts, more win equity, and a clearer path to banking goalie categories in head-to-head formats.
In Dallas, injuries have opened a top-line center role for Mavrik Bourque on the Dallas Stars. Top-line and likely top power-play exposure gives him legitimate scoring upside, even if the name value isn’t there yet.
In Minnesota, Mats Zuccarello continues to ride shotgun with the best offensive talent on the Minnesota Wild, holding a top-six and PP1 role that keeps his floor high.
In Buffalo, Josh Norris is operating as a top-six center for the Buffalo Sabres, and the Sabres’ upcoming schedule makes him a prime short-term stream for points.

These aren’t long-term franchise cornerstones; they’re leverage plays on usage, line mates, and schedule quirks that can decide a playoff matchup.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only leagues, you care almost exclusively about who’s on the ice in scoring situations and who’s stapled to high-end talent.

Valeri Nichushkin – With a secure top-six role and extra minutes, Nichushkin is a clear add. Playing heavy minutes on a high-powered Avalanche offense gives him exposure to even-strength and power-play production. In points-only, treat him as a strong middle-of-lineup scorer while the injuries persist.
Mats Zuccarello – Zuccarello’s value comes from stability. Top-six usage plus PP1 on a Wild team that leans on its stars means his point pace is less streaky than many waiver options. In points-only, he’s a plug-and-play option who can safely occupy a starting slot for the duration of your playoffs.
Mavrik Bourque – Bourque is more volatile but offers meaningful upside. Top-line center deployment in Dallas gives him access to prime offensive partners and offensive-zone starts. In shallow points-only leagues he’s more of a matchup-based play; in deeper formats he’s a viable hold as long as he sticks on the top line.
Josh Norris – Norris is best used as a schedule weapon. When the Sabres have four-game weeks or back-to-backs, his top-six center role becomes very attractive. In points-only, rotate him in for heavy-schedule stretches rather than locking him in over more established scorers.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, deployment still matters, but you also need volume in shots, special-teams exposure, and, crucially, goalie starts.

Frederik Andersen – As Andersen reclaims the starter’s crease in Carolina, he becomes one of the most impactful playoff adds in categories leagues. More starts on a strong defensive team mean a better chance at wins and solid ratios. If he’s available, he should be prioritized over most fringe skaters because a hot goalie can swing multiple categories at once.
Valeri Nichushkin – Nichushkin’s expanded role should come with increased shot volume and power-play time. On a high-event Avalanche team, that means chances for goals, assists, and power-play points. He may not be a heavy hitter, but his offensive counting stats can help across several categories.
Mats Zuccarello – Zuccarello’s calling card is consistent point production, especially on the power play. In categories leagues, he’s ideal if you need assists and power-play points more than peripherals like hits or PIM. Pair him with more physical depth pieces if your roster needs banger stats.
Josh Norris – As a top-six center, Norris can contribute in goals, shots, and possibly faceoff wins where applicable. He’s a strong streaming option when you’re chasing specific offensive categories late in the week.

Dynasty / Keeper

Playoff pickups are usually short-term rentals, but a few of these names have longer-term implications.

Mavrik Bourque – Bourque is the most intriguing dynasty piece of the group. A top-line center role at this stage of his career suggests the Stars see him as more than a temporary injury replacement. If he holds his own in this elevated role, he could cement himself as a core piece, making him a smart stash in deeper keeper and dynasty formats.
Valeri Nichushkin – Nichushkin is more of a known quantity, but his ability to thrive with extra responsibility reinforces his value as a long-term complementary scorer. In dynasty, he’s a steady mid-tier asset rather than a breakout candidate, but playoff managers can use this stretch as a reminder of his reliability.
Frederik Andersen – For dynasty, Andersen’s age and injury history cap his long-term appeal, but his current run as a starter still matters in multi-year leagues where you’re contending now. If you’re in a win-now window, he remains a justifiable hold or even a short-term acquisition via the NHL Trade Analyzer in leagues that allow in-season trading.
Josh Norris & Mats Zuccarello – Norris has some medium-term appeal as a top-six center if he can stay healthy and maintain his role in Buffalo. Zuccarello, by contrast, is more of a short-horizon asset; his value is tied to current deployment and age, making him less of a priority in long-view formats.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Valeri Nichushkin – Add (all but the shallowest leagues): Top-six deployment on Colorado with extra minutes due to injuries makes him a high-impact playoff scorer.
Frederik Andersen – Add (standard and deep leagues): Regaining the starting job in Carolina gives you a rare chance at a volume goalie with strong win potential.
Mavrik Bourque – Add/Watch (deep & dynasty): Top-line center usage in Dallas offers real upside; stash where you can and ride the opportunity while it lasts.
Mats Zuccarello – Add (points and categories): Reliable top-six and PP1 role in Minnesota makes him a safe, steady source of points and power-play production.
Josh Norris – Short-term stream (all formats): Use him during favorable Buffalo schedule stretches when you need an extra top-six center for goals and shots.

Fantasy Takeaways

Prioritize Valeri Nichushkin as a playoff add while he’s locked into a heavy-usage top-six role in Colorado.
In categories leagues, Frederik Andersen is a potential difference-maker thanks to renewed starter volume and win upside in Carolina.
Mavrik Bourque is both a short-term opportunity play and a worthwhile dynasty stash while he holds a top-line job in Dallas.
Mats Zuccarello offers one of the safest floors among available wingers, with steady points and PP1 time in Minnesota.
Use Josh Norris as a schedule-based streamer when the Sabres have heavy weeks and you need extra scoring from your center slots.

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