Fantasy picks, props, futures for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NHL.com identifies players to watch for free-to-play fantasy hockey games, props and futures throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

MORE PLAYOFFS COVERAGE:

Fantasy playoff rankings | NHL EDGE stats

Projected lineups, starting goalies for today

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THU. MAY 21

VGK at COL: Game 2 (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC)

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NHL PROP WATCH

NHL.com's fantasy hockey staff of Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz provide daily players to watch for props in various categories and for free-to-play games throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Player to watch for blocked shots, shots on goal and/or point: Shea Theodore, D, VGK

The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman led them in shots on goal (five), blocked shots (seven) and ice time (27:22) in their 4-2 win in Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche. Theodore, who has nine points (four goals, five assists) and three power-play points in 13 postseason games, leads the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in blocks (42) and ranks second at his position in SOG (30). The 30-year-old has had at least two SOG in five of his past six games and at least two blocked shots in 10 of his past 11 games (3.3 per game over span). Per NHL EDGE stats, Theodore leads the entire NHL in long-range SOG (19), is tied for first in long-range goals (two), tied for ninth in midrange goals (two; second among defensemen) and ranks fifth in total skating distance (49.27 miles) this postseason. Theodore also ranks highly at his position in hardest shot (95.99 mph; 93rd percentile) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (nine; 82nd percentile). Theodore has 82 points (21 goals, 61 assists) and 27 power-play points in 138 career postseason games and six points, including five power-play points in his past eight games against the Avalanche. -- Meaney

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Others to watch for point:

Gabriel Landeskog, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Brett Howden, F, VGK (at COL)
William Karlsson, F, VGK (at COL)
Artturi Lehkonen, F, COL (vs. VGK)

Others to watch for assist:

Martin Necas, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Jack Eichel, F, VGK (at COL)
Sam Malinski, D, COL (vs. VGK)

Others to watch for multiple points:

Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Mitch Marner, F, VGK (at COL)

Others to watch for shots on goal:

Martin Necas, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Brock Nelson, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Nazem Kadri, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (at COL)
Jack Eichel, F, VGK (at COL)

Others to watch for blocked shots:

Brayden McNabb, D, VGK (at COL)
Rasmus Andersson, D, VGK (at COL)

Goalie to watch for saves;

Carter Hart, G, VGK (at COL)

Line combos/trios to consider:

VGK: Brett Howden -- William Karlsson -- Mitch Marner
COL: Valeri Nichushkin -- Brock Nelson -- Martin Necas
VGK: Pavel Dorofeyev -- Jack Eichel
COL: Artturi Lehkonen -- Gabriel Landeskog

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'NHL GOAL CHASE' PICKS

Welcome to "NHL Goal Chase," a daily game where fans pick one goal-scorer per day and try to compile the longest streak possible. Multigoal games can also extend your streak by the number of goals scored by the goal-scorer you select.

Jensen's Pick: Brett Howden, F, VGK

The Vegas Golden Knights forward is having a breakout postseason; he has scored goals in eight of his past 10 playoff games and quietly ranks second in the entire League in goals (nine) this postseason behind teammate Pavel Dorofeyev (10). Howden, who scored a goal on four shots on goal against the Avalanche in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, is tied for second in the NHL in even-strength goals (six) behind Alex Newhook of the Montreal Canadiens (seven) and also leads the NHL in game-winning goals (three; including one in overtime) this postseason. Howden also brings exposure to Conn Smythe Trophy candidate Mitch Marner at even strength; Marner leads the entire NHL in playoff points (19 in 13 games). Per NHL EDGE stats, Howden is tied with Dorofeyev for the League lead in high-danger goals (six each) this postseason.

Others to consider for a goal:

Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (at COL)
Gabriel Landeskog, F, COL (vs. VGK)
Valeri Nichushkin, F, COL (vs. VGK)

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'NHL FANTASY STARS' ADVICE

Do you have what it takes to be an NHL GM? Test your skills by downloading the "NHL Fantasy Stars" app and setting your daily lineup during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs! The game allows you to construct your dream team by opening packs, compiling coins and then collecting, buying, selling and training NHL licensed hockey players.

Under-the-radar player: Sam Malinski, D, COL

The Colorado Avalanche defenseman has three points (one goal, two assists), 15 shots on goal and a plus-six rating in eight postseason games. Malinski, who had NHL career highs in points (40 in 82 games), goals (eight), assists (32), SOG (164), plus/minus (plus-43; tied for third in NHL) and ice time per game (17:36) in his third season in the League, took on a larger role in Game 1 against the Golden Knights with defenseman Cale Makar sidelined due to injury as he was tied for the team lead in shot attempts (six) at 5-on-5 and ranked third among Colorado defensemen in ice time (20:31). Per NHL EDGE stats, Malinski is tied for eighth in the entire NHL in long-range SOG (12) and ranks highly at his position in 20-plus mph speed bursts (11; 91st percentile), max skating speed (22.34 mph; 90th percentile) and average shot speed (72.75 mph; 81st percentile). The 27-year-old has had at least two SOG in four of his six games in these playoffs and is averaging 20:03 time on ice (compared to 17:36 in the regular season). Malinski is available in the "NHL Fantasy Stars" game for 300 coins and is worth playing with Makar ruled out for Game 2. -- Meaney

Players available in "NHL Fantasy Stars" open market for 300 coins or fewer who are in action Friday: Brett Howden, F, VGK; Artturi Lehkonen, F, COL; Rasmus Andersson, D, VGK; Devon Toews, D, COL; Ivan Barbashev, F, VGK; Brock Nelson, F, COL

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NHL FUTURES WATCH

NOTE: These contenders for various futures angles are a collaborative effort by Jensen, Meaney and Perlowitz.

Conn Smythe Trophy:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, COL
2. Mitch Marner, VGK
3. Frederik Andersen, CAR
4. Jakub Dobes, MTL
5. Logan Stankoven, CAR

To lead entire playoffs in goals:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, COL
2. Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK
3. Logan Stankoven, CAR
4. Mitch Marner, VGK
5. Cole Caufield, MTL

To lead entire playoffs in points:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, COL
2. Mitch Marner, VGK
3. Jack Eichel, VGK
4. Martin Necas, COL
5. Nick Suzuki, MTL

To lead series in goals:

Gabriel Landeskog, COL
Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK
Seth Jarvis, CAR
Martin Necas, COL
Ivan Demidov, MTL

To lead series in points:

Martin Necas, COL
Sebastian Aho, CAR
Mitch Marner, VGK
Nick Suzuki, MTL
Jack Eichel, VGK

To lead series in shots on goal:

Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK
Seth Jarvis, CAR
Jackson Blake, CAR
Jack Eichel, VGK
Martin Necas, COL