Fantasy pool X-factors: Stanley Cup Playoffs

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Fantasy pool rankings

Sleeper for each team

NOTES: Basic playoff pools have the following scoring system: goals and assists count for skaters with a bonus for a hat trick, and wins count for team goalies with a bonus for a shutout. These picks are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua.

EAST

Aaron Ekblad, D, FLA - The Florida Panthers defenseman practiced Sunday and could return from a lower-body injury against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 after not playing since March 18. Ekblad, who missed last postseason because of a broken leg, was ninth among NHL defensemen in points per game (0.93) and scored four points (one goal, three assists) in three games against Washington this season.

Nicklas Backstrom, F, WSH - The Washington Capitals center had the worst points-per-game average (0.66) of his NHL career this season but has bounce-back appeal considering he scored 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 20 games during their 2018 Stanley Cup run. Backstrom, who's tied for eighth among active NHL players in career playoff points per game (0.81; 108 in 133 games), is playing on the second line with Tom Wilson (15 points in 2018 playoffs) and Marcus Johansson (eight points in 13 playoff games with Capitals in 2016-17).

Jack Campbell, G, TOR - The Toronto Maple Leafs goalie performed well during his only playoff appearance last season against the Montreal Canadiens with a .934 save percentage and 1.81 goals-against average in seven games. Campbell had NHL career highs in wins (31) and shutouts (five) and was 2-1-0 with a .918 SV% in three games against the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.

Brayden Point, F, TBL - The Lightning center led the NHL in goals (28 goals in 46 games) over the past two postseasons combined and was second in points (56) behind teammate Nikita Kucherov (66 in 48 games), helping them win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Overshadowed by Steven Stamkos' first 100-point season (106), Point has scored better than a point per game (24 points in 20 games) against the Atlantic Division this season and could help the Lightning contain and match the Maple Leafs' center duo of Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

Frederik Andersen, G, CAR - The Carolina Hurricanes goalie is tied for third in the NHL in save percentage (.922) and ranks second in GAA (2.17) this season but has not played since April 16 because of a lower-body injury and will remain out against the Boston Bruins in Game 1. Andersen was 3-0-0 with a .990 save percentage and two shutouts against the Bruins this season, but the Hurricanes will rely on Antti Raanta (15-5-4, .912 SV%, two shutouts with Carolina) and/or Pyotr Kochetkov (3-0-0 in NHL) for now.

Erik Haula, F, BOS - The Bruins center had his best regular season (44 points in 78 games) since 2017-18 (55 points in 76 regular season games), when he helped the Vegas Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final (nine points in 20 playoff games). Haula found success down the stretch playing center on the second line with elite wing David Pastrnak; Haula scored 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in his final 19 games and could give the Bruins a different dimension than previous postseasons, when they stacked Pastrnak on the top line with fellow elite forwards Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.

Adam Fox, D, NYR - The New York Rangers defenseman and reigning Norris Trophy winner was fourth in the NHL at the position in points (74 in 78 games) and third in assists (63) this season, each a career high. Fox has breakout appeal in the playoffs after not scoring a point in three postseason games in 2020, and the success of the Rangers' young defense in front of elite goalie Igor Shesterkin hinges on Fox carrying over his production to the playoffs.

Kris Letang, D, PIT - The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman was their only player to have a multipoint game against the New York Rangers this season (two assists on Mar. 29). Letang led the Penguins with six points (one goal, five assists) in six games last postseason. Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and potential 2022 unrestricted free agent, is tied for second among active NHL defensemen in playoff pools (86 in 142 games) behind Victor Hedman of the Lightning (88 in 132).

WEST

Nazem Kadri, F, COL - The Colorado Avalanche center has scored 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 17 games over the past two playoffs combined but was suspended for eight games last postseason and did not play in their six-game series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Kadri, a potential 2022 unrestricted free agent, scored an NHL career-high 87 points (19th in League) in 71 games and had six assists in four games against Predators this season.

Matt Duchene, F, NSH - The Nashville Predators forward led them with NHL career-high 43 goals (eighth in League) and 16 power-play goals (tied for third) this season. Duchene faces the Avalanche, his former team, for the first time in the postseason and scored four goals in four games against them this season. Duchene has been productive in the postseason (21 points in 28 games) for Colorado, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville.

Joel Eriksson Ek, F, MIN - With the series between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues featuring three strong lines on each side, Eriksson Ek could be a difference-maker at 5-on-5 and the first power play. He was tied for third on the Wild in power-play points (17), had their fourth most goals (26) and shots on goal (223) and fifth most points (NHL career-high 49) playing mostly on the third line. He scored three points (including an overtime goal) with 21 SOG in seven games last postseason.

Robert Thomas, F, STL - The Blues forward was one of the breakout players of the season, scoring their second most points (77 in 72 games) behind frequent linemate Vladimir Tarasenko (82 in 75). Thomas had a 17-game point streak from March 26 to April 24 (tied with Connor McDavid of Edmonton Oilers for longest in NHL this season) and scored five points (one goal, four assists) in three games against the Wild.

Miro Heiskanen, D, DAL - The Dallas Stars defenseman scored an NHL career-high 36 points (five goals, 31 assists) in 70 games this season, including four assists in three games against the Calgary Flames. But Heiskanen has a much higher ceiling considering he was third in NHL scoring in the 2020 postseason (26 points in 27 games, including eight points in six-game series against Flames), when the Stars reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Jacob Markstrom, G, CGY - The Calgary Flames goalie was the NHL leader in shutouts (nine) this season and was tied for fourth in wins (37) and tied for third in save percentage (.922; minimum 40 games), thriving in the system of Darryl Sutter, who won the Stanley Cup twice as coach of the Los Angeles Kings (2012, 2014). Calgary's path to the Western Conference Final out of the Pacific Division became less daunting when the Vegas Golden Knights missed the playoffs, and Markstrom was 8-6 with a .919 SV% and one shutout for the Vancouver Canucks in the 2020 postseason.

Evander Kane, F, EDM - After signing a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 27, Kane had the best points-per-game average (0.91; 39 in 43 games) of his NHL career. Kane, who was tied for 19th in the NHL in goals per game (0.51; 22 this season), scored three points (one goal, two assists) in three games against the Kings this season and could provide a physical element to elite center Connor McDavid's line in the postseason.

Sean Durzi, D, LAK - The Los Angeles Kings defenseman played heavy minutes (22:59 per game) down the stretch in the absence of injured Drew Doughty (wrist surgery; out for season), scoring 12 points (one goal, 11 assists), seven on the power play, with 56 SOG in 25 games. Durzi ranked second among NHL rookies in power-play points (15) behind Moritz Seider (21) of the Detroit Red Wings and could take advantage of an Oilers' penalty kill that was in the bottom half of the NHL (79.4 percent; 17th).

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