NHL Playoff Fantasy 2026: Best Players to Draft & Strategy Guide

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are almost here, and your fantasy draft strategy will determine whether you hoist the virtual Cup or watch from the sidelines. This guide covers the full playoff picture, the best forwards, defensemen, and goalies to target, and the strategies you need to dominate your league.

1. 2026 NHL Playoff Standings

The playoff race is tightening, but some teams have already punched their tickets:

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche (Clinched) — The class of the West. MacKinnon and Makar lead the most complete roster in hockey. Built for a deep run.
Dallas Stars (Clinched) — Robertson and Oettinger anchor a team that's been a playoff mainstay. Tough, defensive, and reliable.
Vegas Golden Knights (Bubble) — Talented but inconsistent. If they lock in a spot, their playoff experience makes them dangerous.
Nashville Predators (Bubble) — Fighting for their lives. A risky proposition for fantasy unless they clinch.

Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes (Leads East) — Dominant on both ends. The Hurricanes are the favorites to come out of the East.
Tampa Bay Lightning — Kucherov and Vasilevskiy are perennial playoff performers. Never count them out.
Pittsburgh Penguins (Bubble) — Crosby-led teams always find a way, but the Pens are on the outside looking in right now.
Columbus Blue Jackets (Bubble) — A young team with talent (Werenski, Laine), but making the playoffs would be an upset.

2. Top Forwards to Draft

Forwards drive your fantasy scoring. Here are the top targets:

🥇 Nathan MacKinnon (COL) — The best player in hockey on the best team. Elite in every category: goals, assists, shots, power play. The undisputed #1 pick.

🥇 Connor McDavid (EDM) — The most talented player in the world. Edmonton's playoff odds are strong, and McDavid's point-per-game pace is unmatched.

🥇 Nikita Kucherov (TBL) — A playoff legend. Kucherov's postseason production is historic, and Tampa knows how to win in the spring.

🥇 Jason Robertson (DAL) — Elite goal scorer on a clinched team. Robertson's shot volume and finishing ability make him one of the safest picks.

3. Top Defensemen to Draft

Defensemen who put up points are gold in playoff fantasy. Don't overlook this position:

🛡️ Cale Makar (COL) — The best defenseman in the world. Makar scores like a forward, quarterbacking Colorado's lethal power play. An elite pick at any position.

🛡️ Evan Bouchard (EDM) — Edmonton's PP1 quarterback who racks up assists. If the Oilers go deep, Bouchard is a league-winner.

🛡️ Zach Werenski (CBJ) — Phenomenal offensive talent, but Columbus is a bubble team. High ceiling, higher risk.

🛡️ Moritz Seider (DET) — A two-way beast who blocks shots, hits, and contributes offensively. Detroit's playoff status is uncertain, adding risk.

4. Top Goalies to Draft

Goalies are the most impactful position in NHL playoff fantasy. The scoring rewards are massive: 5 points per win, 0.2 points per save, and 3 points for a shutout (with -1 per goal allowed). A goalie who starts 20+ games and wins 12+ is an absolute league-winner.

🥅 Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) — Three-time Stanley Cup champion with the best playoff resume of any active goalie. High save volume, clutch performances, and Tampa's playoff pedigree make him the #1 goalie.

🥅 Jake Oettinger (DAL) — Rock-solid behind Dallas's elite defense. Oettinger sees a ton of shots and makes the saves that matter. Clinched team = safe pick.

🥅 Ilya Sorokin (NYI) — One of the best pure goalies in the league. If the Islanders secure a playoff spot, Sorokin's save rate makes him a fantasy cheat code.

5. Draft Strategy Guide

Target Teams That Go Deep

In Fantasy Playoffs NHL leagues, the most important factor is how many games your players play. A player on a team that reaches the Stanley Cup Final could play 28 games, while a first-round exit means only 4-7 games. Prioritize players from Colorado, Dallas, Carolina, and Tampa — teams built for long runs.

Draft Goalies Earlier Than You Think

Most fantasy players wait too long on goalies. In playoff fantasy, a starting goalie on a contending team is worth a 2nd or 3rd round pick. With 5 points per win and 0.2 per save, a goalie who goes on a deep run can outscore most skaters. Don't wait until the late rounds — grab Vasilevskiy or Oettinger early.

The One-Player-Per-Team Rule

You can only draft one player per NHL team. This means if you take MacKinnon from Colorado, you can't also draft Makar. Plan your team allocations before draft day — decide which team gives you the best player at each position. A pre-draft blueprint is essential.

Avoid Bubble Teams (Mostly)

Bubble teams like Vegas, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Columbus might not even make the playoffs. If they miss, your pick is wasted. The exception: if a bubble team's star falls to the late rounds, the value could be worth the risk. But never spend a premium pick on uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I draft first in NHL playoff fantasy?

Nathan MacKinnon (COL) is the consensus #1 pick. He combines elite scoring, playmaking, and a Colorado team built to go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Cale Makar (also COL, one-per-team rule applies) is an alternative if you want defenseman upside early.

How does NHL playoff fantasy work?

You draft a roster of NHL players in a snake draft before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin. Players earn fantasy points based on goals, assists, shots, blocks, and more. Goalies earn points for wins (4 pts), saves (0.2 pts), shutouts (3 pts), and lose 1 pt per goal allowed. The one-player-per-team rule forces strategic roster construction.

When do the 2026 NHL Playoffs start?

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in mid-April. Draft as close to the start as possible to account for final standings, clinch scenarios, and injury updates.

Who are the best defensemen to draft in NHL playoff fantasy?

Cale Makar (COL) is the top defenseman — he scores like a forward and plays on the #1 power play. Evan Bouchard (EDM), Zach Werenski (CBJ), and Moritz Seider (DET) are also strong picks, though Columbus and Detroit are bubble teams with added risk.

Who are the best goalies to draft in NHL playoff fantasy?

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) is the gold standard — elite save percentage and playoff pedigree. Jake Oettinger (DAL) is rock-solid on a clinched team. Ilya Sorokin (NYI) offers upside if the Islanders make it. Goalies score 5 points per win, 0.2 per save, 3 for a shutout, and lose 1 per goal allowed.

Is Fantasy Playoffs free to play?

Yes! Fantasy Playoffs is completely free. Create a league, invite friends, draft your team, and compete through the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs at no cost.

Ready to draft your Stanley Cup playoff fantasy team? Create your free league and start drafting today. Check out the NHL Playoffs page for the latest standings and scoring details.