NHL Fantasy picks, props, futures with EDGE stats
Players to watch with projections, advanced metrics for upcoming games; new podcast episodes
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SAT. MARCH 14
Player to watch for goal, shots on goal and/or point: Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (vs. CHI; 10 p.m. ET; CHSN, SCRIPPS)
The Vegas Golden Knights forward has a career-high 54 points and leads them in goals (32), power-play goals (16) and power-play points (25) in 66 games this season. Dorofeyev, who is playing on the second line with Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl and the first power play with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Marner and Hertl, leads Vegas in points (14 in 12 games), goals (eight), power-play points (four) and shots on goal (39) since Feb. 1. Per NHL EDGE stats, Dorofeyev ranks highly among forwards in hardest shot (93.33 mph; 94th percentile), midrange goals (nine; 94th percentile), high-danger goals (13; 91st percentile), midrange SOG (65; 94th percentile), high-danger SOG (61; 93rd percentile), long-range SOG (21; 95th percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (46.5; 95th percentile). -- Chris Meaney
Player to watch for point, assist and/or power-play point: Ivan Demidov, F, MTL (vs. SJS; 7 p.m. ET; TVAS, CITY, SNE, NBCSCA)
The Montreal Canadiens forward is tied for first among rookies in points (51) and power-play points (15) and leads the class in both assists (37) and primary assists (22) in 64 games this season. Demidov, who is playing on the first power play with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Lane Hutson, has eight points (three goals, five assists) and four power-play points in his past 11 games. Demidov scored a goal and had three shots on goal against the San Jose Sharks on Mar. 3 and has had at least three SOG in three of his past five games. Demidov has three points (one goal, two assists), one power-play point and a game-winning goal in his past two games and 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 31 home games. Per NHL EDGE stats, Demidov ranks highly among forwards in hardest shot (90.14 mph; 86th percentile), average shot speed (59.41 mph; 89th percentile), total skating distance on the power play (24.52 miles; 87th percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (45.8; 92nd percentile). The San Jose Sharks are tied for the third-most goals allowed per game (3.48) and have allowed the second-most shots per game (30.4). -- Meaney
Player to watch for a goal, multiple points and/or shots on goal: Jack Hughes, F, NJD (vs. LAK; 7 p.m. ET; FDSNW, MSGSN)
The New Jersey Devils forward has had points in six of his eight games since returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics, totaling 11 points (four goals, seven assists), four on the power play, over that span. Hughes, who scored the "Golden Goal" and had seven points (four goals, three assists) and 15 shots on goal in six games for the United States, leads Devils forwards in average ice time (21:01) and power-play points (17) this season. Hughes is playing on the top line and first power-play unit with Jesper Bratt, who has frequently combined with the 24-year-old to drive New Jersey's offense; Hughes and Bratt have factored in on the same goal 21 times this season, including six times over their past eight games. Per NHL EDGE stats, Hughes ranks highly among forwards in midrange shots on goal (67; 95th percentile). midrange goals (eight; 91st percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (45.7; 91st percentile) despite missing 21 games this season because of injuries. -- Troy Perlowitz
Player to watch for point, goal and/or shots on goal: Matt Duchene, F, DAL (vs. DET; 8 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, Victory+)
The Dallas Stars are riding a 14-game point streak (13-0-1 in span), and Duchene leads them in points (21 in 14 games) over that span. He has missed significant time because of injury but is in the midst of a bounce-back stretch and suddenly up to 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists), including eight power-play points, in 40 games this season. Duchene is playing on the second line with Jamie Benn and Sam Steel and also the first power play, bringing exposure to Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Benn and Miro Heiskanen; Dallas ranks second in the NHL in power-play percentage (30.1; behind Edmonton Oilers' 32.1). Since joining the Stars in 2023-24, Duchene ranks second on the team in game-winning goals (16) behind Robertson (17) and third in points (179 in 202 games; behind Robertson, Johnston). Per NHL EDGE stats, six of Duchene's 13 goals this season have been high-danger goals. Duchene has 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) and 114 shots on goal in 43 career games against the Detroit Red Wings, including one assist and two shots on goal against them on Dec. 23. -- Pete Jensen
Read more: NHL EDGE stats behind Stars' 14-game point streak
Read more: 'NHL Goal Chase' picks
Read more: 'NHL Fantasy Stars' picks/strategy
Read more: NHL Status Report
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Others to watch for goal and/or shots on goal:
Cole Caufield, F, MTL (vs. SJS)
Tage Thompson, F, BUF (vs. TOR)
Jason Robertson, F, DAL (vs. DET)
Dylan Guenther, F, UTA (vs. PIT)
Will Smith, F, SJS (at MTL)
Others to watch for point:
Mavrik Bourque, F, DAL (vs. DET)
Josh Norris, F, BUF (vs. TOR)
Logan Cooley, F, UTA (vs. PIT)
Igor Chernyshov, F, SJS (at MTL)
Jordan Eberle, F, SEA (at VAN)
Others to watch for multiple points:
Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL (vs. CAR)
Wyatt Johnston, F, DAL (vs. DET)
Nick Suzuki, F, MTL (vs. SJS)
Mitch Marner, F, VGK (vs. CHI)
Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS (at MTL)
Others to watch for assist:
Miro Heiskanen, D, DAL (vs. DET)
Mikhail Sergachev, D, UTA (vs. PIT)
Juraj Slafkovsky, F, MTL (vs. SJS)
Jesper Bratt, F, NJD (vs. LAK)
Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI (vs. CGY)
Others to watch for shots on goal:
Adrian Kempe, F, LAK (at NJD)
Dougie Hamilton, D, NJD (vs. LAK)
Josh Doan, F, BUF (vs. TOR)
Conor Garland, F, CBJ (at PHI)
Egor Chinakhov, F, PIT (at UTA)
Line combos/trios to consider:
DAL: Jason Robertson -- Wyatt Johnston -- Mavrik Bourque
BUF: Alex Tuch -- Tage Thompson -- Rasmus Dahlin
MTL: Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki -- Juraj Slafkovsky
VGK: Pavel Dorofeyev -- Tomas Hertl -- Mitch Marner
SJS: Igor Chernyshov -- Macklin Celebrini -- Will Smith
UTA: JJ Peterka -- Logan Cooley -- Dylan Guenther
CBJ: Mason Marchment -- Adam Fantilli -- Kirill Marchenko
SEA: Jared McCann -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle
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NHL FUTURES WATCH
NOTES: The below players are candidates to watch, from front-runners to sleepers, for various 2026 NHL Awards. These lists are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz.
Art Ross Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Cole Caufield, F, MTL
- Matt Boldy, F, MIN
- Kirill Kaprizov, F, MIN
Hart Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
Norris Trophy:
- Cale Makar, D, COL
- Zach Werenski, D, CBJ
- Lane Hutson, D, MTL
- Quinn Hughes, D, MIN
- Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI
Vezina Trophy:
- Ilya Sorokin, G, NYI
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TBL
Jack Adams Award:
- Lindy Ruff, BUF
- Jared Bednar, COL
- Jon Cooper, TBL
Stanley Cup:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Buffalo Sabres
