NHL Fantasy picks, props, futures for 2026 Stanley Cup Final

NHL.com identifies players to watch for free-to-play fantasy hockey games, props and futures throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. 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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SUN. JUNE 14

CAR at VGK: Game 6 (8 p.m. ET; ABC, 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 point, assist and/or power-play point: Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR

The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman had two power-play assists in their 4-2 win in Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights and has points in four of the five games in the Stanley Cup Final. Gostisbehere ranks first on the Hurricanes in power-play points (five), is tied for first in assists (five) and is third in points (six) in the Cup Final. The 33-year-old, who has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and nine power-play points (leads team; third in postseason) in 18 playoff games, has at least one point in seven of his past eight games and 10 points (three goals, seven assists) over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Gostisbehere leads the postseason in offensive zone time percentage (51.3) and ranks seventh in total miles skated on the power play (10.00; second among defensemen). He also ranks highly at his position in midrange goals (two; tied for second), high-danger goals (one; tied for second), high-danger shots on goal (three; tied for fourth) and midrange SOG (seven; tied for seventh). Gostisbehere, who ranks second on the Hurricanes in ice time per game on the power play (4:00) this postseason, had 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 55 regular season games and ranked ninth among defensemen in points per game (0.91) this season. -- Meaney

Player to watch for goal, point and/or shots on goal: Mark Stone, F, VGK

Since returning from a lower-body injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, Stone ranks second on the Vegas Golden Knights in both goals (four in seven games) and shots on goal (17). The team captain is the franchise's postseason leader in both goals (43 in 101 games) and points (84), while six of his seven goals during these playoffs have come at home. Stone was moved to a line with the NHL's two leading point scorers during the playoffs, Mitch Marner (29 points in 21 games) and Jack Eichel (22 in 21 games), in the 2nd period of Game 5 and could remain there with the Golden Knights set to play their first game when facing elimination this postseason. Per NHL EDGE IQ, Stone is tied with Brett Howden (15 each) for the most scoring chances on the Golden Knights during the Stanley Cup Final. Stone also ranks in the top 10 in the entire NHL in both high-danger shots on goal (19; tied for eighth) and high-danger goals (six; tied for fourth) this postseason, per NHL EDGE stats. -- Perlowitz 

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Others to watch for point:

Jordan Staal, F, CAR
Nikolaj Ehlers, F, CAR
Shea Theodore, D, VGK

Others to watch for assist and/or point:

Mitch Marner, F, VGK
Seth Jarvis, F, CAR

Others to watch for shots on goal:

Taylor Hall, F, CAR
Jordan Staal, F, CAR
Logan Stankoven, F, CAR
Jack Eichel, F, VGK
Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK

Others to watch for blocked shots:

Jalen Chatfield, D, CAR
Noah Hanifin, D, VGK 
Shea Theodore, D, VGK
Jeremy Lauzon, D, VGK 

Line combos/trios to consider: 

CAR: Nikolaj Ehlers -- Jordan Staal -- Seth Jarvis
VGK: Mitch Marner -- Jack Eichel -- Mark Stone
CAR: Taylor Hall -- Logan Stankoven -- Jackson Blake

PLAY 'NHL GOAL CHASE'

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.

Players to consider for goal:

Nikolaj Ehlers, F, CAR
Jack Eichel, F, VGK
Jordan Staal, F, CAR
Mark Stone, F, VGK

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PLAY 'NHL FANTASY STARS'

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: Brett Howden, F, VGK

The Golden Knights forward is having a breakout postseason, leading the entire NHL in both goals (14 in 21 games) and even-strength goals (11). Howden, who’s attainable for 100 coins in “NHL Fantasy Stars,” leads Vegas in both goals (four in five games) and even-strength goals (four) during the Stanley Cup Final. He’s also tied for third on the Golden Knights in even-strength points (six) during the Cup Final and tied for second on the team in shots on goal (12; behind Marner's 15) during the series. Per NHL EDGE stats, Howden is tied with Pavel Dorofeyev for the League in high-danger goals (eight each). Howden also ranks in the 96th percentile among forwards in 20-plus mph speed bursts (54) this postseason. Per NHL EDGE IQ, Howden leads the League in goals scored off the rush (eight), with one of those coming in Game 4 against Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi. -- Jensen

Players available in "NHL Fantasy Stars" open market for 300 coins or fewer who are in action Sunday: Jordan Staal, F, CAR; Logan Stankoven, F, CAR; Brett Howden, F, VGK; Taylor Hall, F, CAR; Ivan Barbashev, F, VGK; Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR; Brayden McNabb, D, VGK

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NHL FUTURES WATCH

NOTE: This list is a collaborative effort by Jensen, Meaney and Perlowitz.

Conn Smythe Trophy:

1. Jordan Staal, CAR
2. Mitch Marner, VGK
3. Nikolaj Ehlers, CAR
4. Logan Stankoven, CAR
5. Taylor Hall, CAR