Fantasy picks, props with EDGE stats for today

Player projections, advanced metrics for upcoming games; new podcast episodes

By Fantasy Hockey Staff

March 20, 2025

NHL.com identifies players to watch in fantasy hockey and props with EDGE stats insights for upcoming games during the 2024-25 season. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

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Daily projected lineups, starting goalies

Fantasy spin: 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

Top 200 rankings | 100 'F' | 50 'D' | 25 'G'

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Pepsi Zero Sugar NHL Goalie Challenge

THU. MAR 20

Player to watch for shots on goal and/or point: Taylor Hall, F, CAR (at SJS)

The Carolina Hurricanes wing has 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 63 games this season and seven points (three goals, four assists) in 17 games with the team since he was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks. Hall has goals in back-to-back games, four points during a three-game point streak and five points in his past five games. He had a power-play point in his most-recent game as he was promoted to the first power-play unit. Hall has had at least three shots on goal in three straight games and five of his past seven games. The Carolina Hurricanes rank second in shots per game and the San Jose Sharks have allowed the second-most shots per game (31.6) and the most goals per game (3.69) this season, and they have the worst penalty kill percentage (66.2) in the NHL since Jan. 1. The Hurricanes have won seven straight games and have outscored their opponents 23-9 over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Hall is in the 87th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph (133), 93rd percentile in average skating distance per 60 minutes at even strength (10.28 miles) and 90th percentile in long-range shots (17). -- Chris Meaney

Player to watch for a point: Jake Neighbours, F, STL (vs. VAN)

The St. Louis Blues wing has seven points (three goals, four assists), including three power-play points during a five-game point streak. Neighbours, who is tied for his career-high in points this season with 38 (19 goals, 19 assists) in 69 games, has had at least one point in nine of his past 11 games and has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) over that span. Neighbours is averaging a career-high 15:59 this season and has nine points in nine games in March as the Blues enter Thursday’s game with the second-best points percentage (.769) in the NHL since the 4 Nations Face-Off (9-2-2). They’ve won four straight games at home and have scored 21 goals over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Neighbours is in the 90th percentile in high-danger shots (56) and 83rd percentile in high-danger goals (11). He has shown great chemistry with center Robert Thomas (four-game point streak) and wing Pavel Buchnevich (four points in his past four games). -- Meaney

Player to watch for a point and/or SOG: Brock Nelson, F, COL (at OTT)

The Colorado Avalanche forward has 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 67 games this season and two points in six games with the team since he was acquired from the New York Islanders at the Trade Deadline. Nelson has two assists and seven shots with Colorado but played 19:45 on Wednesday in Toronto which was the most ice time he has received with the Avalanche, and he had three shots on goal. Nelson was promoted to the top line with elite center Nathan MacKinnon (leads the NHL with 104 points in 69 games) and wing Valeri Nichushkin (10 points in his past 10 games), and the trio combined for 13 SOG. They played 10:46 together at 5-on-5 and the Avalanche generated 20 shot attempts when they were on the ice. Per NHL EDGE stats, Nelson is among the leaders in skating distance (220.49 miles; 97th percentile), speed bursts over 20 mph (140; 89th percentile), average skating distance per 60 minutes at even strength (10.30 miles; 94th percentile), high-danger shots (57; 91st percentile), midrange SOG (70; 94th percentile) and midrange goals (eight; 88th percentile). -- Meaney

Player to watch for goal and/or point: Aliaksei Protas, F, WSH (vs. PHI)

The Washington Capitals wing has 10 points (six goals, four assists), including a hat trick, over his past six games playing on a line with mostly Alex Ovechkin during the GR8 CHASE (https://www.nhl.com/video/ovechkin-gretzky-all-time-goals-chase). Protas has been one of the breakout players of the season so far; he's tied for fourth in the entire NHL in 5-on-5 points (46) and leads Capitals forwards in both shot attempts differential at 5-on-5 (plus-87) and even-strength goals (27). Per NHL EDGE stats, Protas is among the forward leaders in top skating speed (23.18 mph; 92nd percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (143; 90th percentile), high-danger goals (13; 90th percentile) and midrange goals (11; 96th percentile). -- Pete Jensen

Player to watch for an assist and/or point: Logan Cooley, F, UTA (vs. BUF)

The Utah Hockey Club forward has 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) in 61 games this season, third on the team and fifth among all NHL players aged 21 or younger. Cooley has points (one goal, one assist) in back-to-back games after having none in his previous six outings and his 11 multipoint games is more than twice as many as he had as a rookie last season (five in 82 games). Cooley took line rushes at center during morning skate alongside linemates who are among the team leaders in 5-on-5 shot attempts: wings Clayton Keller (255; tied for second) and Nick Schmaltz (221; fifth). Cooley also has three points (all assists) in three NHL games against the Buffalo Sabres. Per NHL EDGE stats, Cooley ranks among the League leaders in 20-plus mph speed bursts (183; 96th percentile). The Sabres have allowed the fourth most goals per game (3.50) and have the second worst team save percentage (.878) in the NHL this season. -- Troy Perlowitz

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Others to consider for point separately or together:

Sebastian Aho, F, CAR (at SJS)

Clayton Keller, F, UTA (vs. BUF)

Dylan Holloway, F, STL (vs. VAN)

Quinton Byfield, F, LAK (at CHI)

Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (vs. BOS)

Others to consider for goal and/or SOG:

Alex Ovechkin, F, WSH (vs. PHI)

Valeri Nichushkin, F, COL (at OTT)

Seth Jarvis, F, CAR (at SJS)

Adrian Kempe, F, LAK (at CHI)