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

Play 'NHL Fantasy Stars' | 'NHL Goal Chase'

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SAT. MAY 2

PHI at CAR: Game 1 (8 p.m. ET; ABC, SN, TVAS)

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NHL PROPS 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 shots on goal, point and/or goal: Logan Stankoven

The Carolina Hurricanes forward is the only player in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs to score a goal in each game he’s played. Stankoven leads the Hurricanes in goals (four), is tied for first in shots on goal (18), ranks second in points (five) and third in shot attempts (26) in four postseason games. The 23-year-old has found chemistry on the second line and power play with Taylor Hall (seven points; leads team) and Jackson Blake (four points); trio has 16 points, 40 SOG, 66 shot attempts and seven of Carolina’s 11 goals. Per NHL EDGE stats, Stankoven is tied for second in the entire NHL in midrange goals (two) and tied for eighth in high-danger SOG (seven). He also ranks highly among forwards in the postseason in midrange SOG (seven; 92nd percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (48.7; 95th percentile). -- Meaney

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Others to watch for point:

Taylor Hall, F, CAR (vs. PHI)
Porter Martone, F, PHI (at CAR)

Others to watch for assist:

Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR (vs. PHI)
Trevor Zegras, F, PHI (at CAR)

Others to watch for shots on goal:

Andrei Svechnikov, F, CAR (vs. PHI)
Nikolaj Ehlers, F, CAR (vs. PHI)

Others to watch for blocked shots:

Travis Sanheim, D, PHI (at CAR)
Cam York, D, PHI (at CAR)

Line combos/trios to consider:

CAR: Taylor Hall -- Logan Stankoven -- Jackson Blake
PHI: Owen Tippett -- Trevor Zegras -- Porter Martone

'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.

Perlowitz's pick: Taylor Hall, F, CAR

The Carolina Hurricanes wing had points in all four games of their first round series sweep of the Ottawa Senators, totaling a team-high seven points (two goals, five assists) as well as two power-play points and 14 shots on goal over that span. Hall, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft and the Hart Trophy winner in 2017-18, has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 11 career series-opening games, including four multipoint performances. Hall is playing one of the most dominant lines of this postseason with Stankoven and Jackson Blake; that trio has combined for 11 goals and 16 points in four games while outscoring opponents 3-0 when on the ice together at 5-on-5. Per NHL EDGE stats, Hall ranks eighth in the entire League this postseason in offensive zone time percentage (50.2) after ranking 10th in that category during the regular season (47.7). Hall has 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 38 regular-season games against the Philadelphia Flyers, including goals in both of his home games against them earlier this season.

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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: Travis Sanheim, D, PHI

The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman has three points (two goals, one assist), 10 blocks, six shots on goal, three hits and leads them in ice time per game (26:04) in six postseason games. In four games against the Hurricanes this season, Sanheim had two points (one goal, one assist), six SOG and 15 blocks, including six blocks in his most-recent game against them (Apr. 13). Per NHL EDGE stats, Sanheim is sixth among defensemen in skating distance at even strength (19.70) and ranks highly at his position in skating distance at all strengths (22.17; 91st percentile) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (six; 83rd percentile) this postseason.

Players available in "NHL Fantasy Stars" open market for 300 coins who are in action Saturday: Logan Stankoven, F, CAR; Taylor Hall, F, CAR; Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR; Rasmus Ristolainen, D, PHI; Owen Tippett, F, PHI

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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. Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL
3. Frederik Andersen, CAR
4. Kirill Kaprizov, MIN
5. Mitch Marner, VGK

To lead entire playoffs in goals:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, COL
2. Brandon Hagel, F, TBL
3. Matt Boldy, MIN
4. Logan Stankoven, CAR
5. Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK

To lead entire playoffs in points:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, COL
2. Nikita Kucherov, TBL
3. Jack Eichel, VGK
4. Kirill Kaprizov, F, MIN

To lead series in goals:

Logan Stankoven, CAR

To lead series in shots on goal:

Logan Stankoven, CAR
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR

To lead series in points:

Taylor Hall, CAR