Matt Larkin released his 2026 playoff fantasy hockey top 150 rankings, emphasizing the importance of selecting players likely to play multiple games rather than solely high-scoring superstars. Players like Nate Schmidt exceeded expectations in previous playoffs, highlighting the randomness of playoff performance. This list ranks players not just on their usual statistics but also considers the projected success of their teams in the postseason. Key players such as Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are highlighted in Tier 0 for their game-changing potentials, while others face challenging paths that could limit their playoff appearances.

By the Numbers
  • Nate Schmidt accumulated 12 points in last year's playoffs despite only 19 points in the regular season.
  • Nikita Kucherov had just 4 playoff points after scoring 121 in the regular season.
State of Play
  • Players are ranked based on a combination of individual performance and projected team success.
  • Several teams, like the Stars and Lightning, have strong fantasy assets but face early elimination risks.
What's Next

As the playoffs begin, analysts will closely monitor player performances and team progressions, potentially impacting future rankings and player selections in fantasy pools. Injuries and underperforming teams could lead to shifts in strategy for fantasy managers.

Bottom Line

The key takeaway is to prioritize selecting players from teams primed for deep playoff runs, over traditional scoring power, to maximize points in playoff fantasy pools. Understanding team dynamics and matchups will be critical for success.