Fantasy Hockey Playoffs: Waiver Wire Targets by Category Need

The final week of the fantasy hockey playoffs is all about precision. You don’t need long-term upside anymore—you need specific stats on specific days. Below, we group the top waiver options by what you’re chasing: scoring, power-play exposure, peripherals, and short-week streaming help, with an eye on schedule edges and category swings.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The waiver wire isn’t loaded with stars, but several players in prime roles can swing tight matchups. Jonathan Toews is driving play as a center for the Winnipeg Jets, riding a point streak while dominating the dot. That combination of assists and faceoff wins is gold in the final week, especially in leagues that count FOW.

On the wing, Jimmy Snuggerud has surged into a top-six role for the St. Louis Blues, leading rookies in points and contributing hits. He’s the classic late-season multi-cat boost: scoring help without sacrificing grit. On the blue line, Dmitry Orlov is logging heavy minutes for the San Jose Sharks, piling up assists, hits, and blocks—exactly what you want from a streaming defenseman.

In net, Carter Hart has stabilized the crease for the Vegas Golden Knights, offering wins and steady ratios for managers needing a late goaltending push. And for those thinking beyond this week, Porter Martone is emerging as a top-six winger with power-play time for the Philadelphia Flyers, making him a priority stash in dynasty while still being usable as a goals and PP specialist in deeper formats.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, deployment and linemates matter more than hits or blocks. Toews’ current run with the Jets, combined with his power-play usage, makes him a strong late-week add if you need assists and general point volume. His faceoff prowess doesn’t directly score you points in these leagues, but it keeps him on the ice in key situations and helps sustain his offensive role.

Snuggerud is particularly appealing in points-only because he’s not just a grinder—he’s leading rookies in scoring while skating in a top-six role for St. Louis. That kind of late-season rookie heater can decide a tight final. Martone brings a higher goal-scoring lean, especially with his power-play usage in Philadelphia, so he fits managers who are behind in goals but competitive in assists.

On defense, Orlov’s value in points-only is more modest compared to his banger appeal, but his top-pair workload in San Jose still gives him enough touches to chip in secondary assists. If you’re desperate for blue-line points, he’s a reasonable volume play, especially if your alternatives are low-minute depth defenders.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, these waiver options become even more interesting. Toews’ faceoff dominance is a cheat code if your league counts FOW, and his current point streak means you’re not sacrificing offense to chase that category. He’s the ideal add if you’re slightly behind in assists and faceoffs but holding your own elsewhere.

Snuggerud is a prototypical categories add: he’s producing points while also throwing hits. That combo is especially valuable in head-to-head playoffs when you’re trying to win 6–4 or 7–3 on the margins. If your opponent is soft in hits but strong in pure scoring, Snuggerud lets you attack both at once.

Orlov is a priority for managers needing a late push in hits, blocks, and secondary assists. His top-pair role for San Jose means he’s on the ice against tough matchups, which translates into plenty of opportunities for physical stats and shot blocks. Even if he doesn’t light up the scoresheet, he can single-handedly flip hits and blocks over a busy week.

In goal, Hart’s recent stretch of wins and solid performances for Vegas makes him a strong categories add if you’re chasing wins, save percentage, or goals-against average. In the final week, you don’t need season-long stability—you need a goalie likely to start and not implode. Hart fits that bill as a volume option with a decent floor.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should view this week through two lenses: what helps now and what builds for next season. Martone is the clear long-term prize. As a top-six winger with power-play one exposure in Philadelphia, he’s already delivering goals and power-play points. That role suggests sustained opportunity, making him a long-term hold even if your current playoff run is ending.

Snuggerud’s rookie scoring surge for St. Louis also makes him a compelling dynasty add. Leading rookies in points hints at a high offensive ceiling, and his multi-category profile means he’ll remain valuable even if his shooting percentage cools. In deeper keeper formats, grabbing him now saves you from paying a premium later.

Toews, Orlov, and Hart are more win-now pieces than long-term centerpieces. Toews’ value is tied to his current role with Winnipeg and his faceoff-heavy profile, which tends to age reasonably well but doesn’t scream elite upside in keepers. Orlov is a steady multi-cat defenseman rather than a future PP1 stud, and Hart profiles as a useful but not necessarily elite long-term goalie option. In dynasty, prioritize Martone and Snuggerud, then use the others as short-term rentals if your league rules allow.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Jonathan Toews – Add (standard / deep): Point streak plus heavy faceoff volume for Winnipeg makes him ideal if you need assists and FOW this week.
Jimmy Snuggerud – Add (standard / deep): Top-six role in St. Louis with rookie-leading production and hits gives you scoring and grit in one roster spot.
Dmitry Orlov – Add (deep): Top-pair minutes for San Jose translate into steady hits, blocks, and enough assists to shore up your blue line.
Carter Hart – Short-term stream (all formats): Starting goalie for Vegas on a solid run; stream for wins and stable ratios during busy slates.
Porter Martone – Add (deep / dynasty): Top-six, PP1 usage in Philadelphia with a goal-scoring lean and power-play upside; great stash who can still help in goals this week.

Fantasy Takeaways

If you’re chasing assists and faceoffs, prioritize Jonathan Toews as a high-usage center who can swing both categories in the final week.
Need multi-cat scoring? Jimmy Snuggerud offers a rare mix of rookie scoring punch and hits from a top-six role.
For banger leagues, Dmitry Orlov is a plug-and-play defenseman who can quickly move the needle in hits, blocks, and secondary assists.
Managers behind in goalie stats should stream Carter Hart for potential wins and steady ratios rather than chasing risky spot starts.
In dynasty and deep formats, Porter Martone is a priority add thanks to his top-six, PP1 deployment and growing goal-scoring profile.

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