NHL Power Rankings: One player from each team to add or drop in fantasy
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Sean Allen
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Victoria Matiash
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Victoria Matiash
Fantasy Hockey
- ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
- Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010
The 2023-24 NHL season turned 1 month old on Thursday (aww…), and it’s been a hot time for reflection upon the trends that may or may not stick for the duration. We’re also coming up on the all-important benchmark of American Thanksgiving; teams in playoff position at that time make the playoffs around 80% of the time.
With all of that in mind, here are our updated 1-32 Power Rankings for this week. As a special gift, we’ve asked ESPN fantasy hockey analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash to suggest a player (or players) from each team to add/drop from your fantasy roster; Sean handled the Eastern teams, while Victoria tackled the West.
And just a reminder: It’s not too late to sign up for ESPN Fantasy Hockey! Create your team and play for free today.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the preseason edition, published Nov. 3. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.14%
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Nov. 10), @ WSH (Nov. 14), @ MTL (Nov. 16)
Remember when William Karlsson (available in 34% of leagues) erupted for 43 goals and 78 points in his first season with the Knights? Well, he’s revisiting that pace six years later. Unlike Vegas’ other heavy fantasy hitters, he might be available in your league. If so, snag him.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 88.46%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 11), @ BUF (Nov. 14)
Despite their standing, the fantasy pickings are slim on the Bruins. That said, Pavel Zacha (available in 76% of leagues) has a connection with David Pastrnak that should make him a serviceable pickup. Zacha is cresting 20 minutes per game of average ice time lately.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 80.77%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 12)
Erik Gustafsson (available in 79% of leagues) will be a fantasy powerhouse until Adam Fox, placed on long-term injured reserve, returns to the Rangers lineup. In the two games since Fox was hurt, Gustafsson picked up four points.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 80.77%
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 11), @ MTL (Nov. 12), vs. NYI (Nov. 15), @ CGY (Nov. 16)
Defenseman Filip Hronek (available in 32% of leagues) is criminally underappreciated across the fantasy spectrum. Maybe because position-leading point scorer Quinn Hughes is making so much positive noise. Whatever the reason, Hronek is riding a seven-game point streak, so add him if you’re able.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 11), @ SEA (Nov. 13), vs. ANA (Nov. 15)
Devon Toews (rostered in 72% of leagues) has served as a fantasy dud, outside of ATOI, since the first week of the season. Bench him, at minimum, until there are tangible signs of a turnaround.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 73.08%
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 11), vs. FLA (Nov. 16)
Why is Phillip Danault much more popular in fantasy play than Trevor Moore? It makes little sense. Pick up Moore (available in 70% of leagues) before your league mates catch on to the top-six winger’s point-per-game production.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.83%
Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 11), @ MIN (Nov. 12), vs. ARI (Nov. 14)
Center Wyatt Johnston (available in 89% of leagues) serves as a sneaky addition in deeper leagues. With his dreary start to November serving as an exception, the sophomore has been mostly reliable.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.54%
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 10), @ TB (Nov. 11), vs. PHI (Nov. 15)
“Indefinitely” could mean months on the shelf for goaltender Frederik Andersen, out with issues related to blood clots. That’s a wide-open door for Antti Raanta (available in 90% of leagues) or Pyotr Kochetkov (available in 72% of leagues) to take the job and run with it on your fantasy roster.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 10), @ WPG (Nov. 14), @ PIT (Nov. 16)
A handful of leagues are still sleeping on Luke Hughes (available in 14% of leagues). Make no mistake: Hughes, not Dougie Hamilton, is the quarterback of what will be a dangerous power play once his brother Jack is healthy.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 11), @ STL (Nov. 14), @ CHI (Nov. 16)
Check your waiver wire to see Andrei Vasilevskiy is available, as he is in 8% of ESPN leagues. On track to return before the end of November, he’s always a top fantasy goaltender, even if he gets limited usage at the start.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 11), vs. OTT (Nov. 16)
Lucas Raymond (available in 74% of leagues) is set up to be an everyday fantasy winger thanks to his role alongside Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin. He recently started joining them on the power play, too, so pick him up now before the points start accumulating.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Nov. 10), vs. VAN (Nov. 11)
Joseph Woll (available in 49% of leagues) continues to write a hero’s-journey tale for his rookie season, outperforming and outshining Ilya Samsonov in the crease at every turn. Pick him up now before the rostering snowball finds him on someone else’s team.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 10), vs. CHI (Nov. 12), @ SJ (Nov. 14), @ LA (Nov. 16)
Double-check your league’s free agent list for defenseman Brandon Montour (available in 12% of leagues), as he is expected to start travelling with the team and return later this month. The power play will be all his to quarterback after his breakout last season.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 61.54%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 11), vs. NJ (Nov. 14)
You can dump Nikolaj Ehlers (rostered in 32% of leagues) in shallower fantasy competition. The Jets are winning a bit without him playing significant minutes, or contributing much to the scoresheet. Later on, give the forward a fresh look when he gets back in scoring rhythm.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 10), vs. SJ (Nov. 12), @ NSH (Nov. 14), @ COL (Nov. 15)
Impressive production from the Ducks’ second scoring line, centered by sophomore Mason McTavish, is one big reason the club is enjoying so much success. A burgeoning star, McTavish (available in 32% of leagues) should be rostered in all but the shallowest of leagues.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 54.17%
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 11), @ EDM (Nov. 13), @ VAN (Nov. 15), @ SEA (Nov. 16)
Goals and assists aren’t the only way to earn fantasy points. When not banged up from blocking shots, Scott Mayfield (available in 89% of leagues) uses those blocks to earn more fantasy points per game than all but four defensemen in the NHL.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Nov. 11), @ DAL (Nov. 14), @ CBJ (Nov. 16)
Following a slow start, top-six forward Mattias Maccelli (available in 54% of leagues) is proving to be a worthy addition to teams in deeper leagues — and perhaps even in shallower leagues, if he continues to produce at his current pace.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 10), @ PIT (Nov. 11), vs. BOS (Nov. 14)
He won’t hit the next level with Rasmus Dahlin around, but Owen Power (available in 58% of leagues) is doing enough to deserve a spot on most rosters — and would ascend to elite territory if Dahlin misses any time.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 46.15%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Nov. 10), vs. DAL (Nov. 12)
Defenseman Jared Spurgeon (available in 45% of leagues) is due back any moment now, and goodness knows the Wild could use him. Perhaps your fantasy squad might as well? The Wild captain put up 34 points and blocked 179 shots last season.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 11), @ CBJ (Nov. 14), vs. NJ (Nov. 16)
Reilly Smith (available in 77% of leagues) has pushed past Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell as the choice for fourth forward on the power play. If you add him to your team, you can enjoy games like Saturday’s four-point outburst in the future.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.55%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Nov. 10), @ NYI (Nov. 11), vs. VGK (Nov. 14)
A goal-scoring burst quickly pushed Dylan Strome (available in 83% of leagues) up the depth chart to the top line. Strome is worth a pickup because he’s almost always on the ice whenever Alex Ovechkin is, which is the key to acquiring fantasy points on the Capitals.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 11), vs. VAN (Nov. 12), vs. CGY (Nov. 14), vs. VGK (Nov. 16)
Sean Monahan (available in 69% of leagues) is turning back the clock, thanks in no small part to his locked-in role on the top power-play unit with the youngsters. The pace will surely dip, but it can afford to after his hot start (2.1 fantasy points per game).
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 54.17%
Next seven days: @ COL (Nov. 11), vs. TB (Nov. 14), @ SJ (Nov. 16)
It might be time to drop Jordan Kyrou (rostered in 88% of leagues) in shallow leagues. He can’t score against quality teams, or even against some less quality teams. Browse your waiver wire. Guaranteed there’s a less popular fantasy forward available who’s kicking in greater returns.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 38.46%
Next seven days: vs. ARI (Nov. 11), vs. ANA (Nov. 14)
Does your league reward blocked shots? Alexandre Carrier (available in 69% of leagues) blocks a lot of them. More than anyone else in the NHL not named Jacob Trouba. The Predators blueliner also pitches in the odd assist as a bonus.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 42.31%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 10), @ LA (Nov. 11), @ CAR (Nov. 15)
Peppering shots, time on the top line and opportunities on the power play show that Cam Atkinson (available in 76% of leagues) is all the way back after missing last season. The depth chart is fluid for the Flyers, but Atkinson is a staple so far, and should be added.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 41.67%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Nov. 11), vs. DET (Nov. 16)
Note that Jake Sanderson‘s (available in 18% of leagues) outburst of offense started even before Thomas Chabot was injured. Sanderson should be picked up in all leagues as the power-play quarterback for the Sens’ offense.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 42.31%
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 11), @ NYR (Nov. 12), vs. PIT (Nov. 14), vs. ARI (Nov. 16)
In a shallower fantasy league? I could get behind dropping Johnny Gaudreau even though it’s early. Returns have been poor and even last season’s totals were near-replacement level in a 10-team league. Sit tight in deeper leagues, as the offense will change when Patrik Laine returns.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.43%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Nov. 11), vs. COL (Nov. 13), @ EDM (Nov. 15), vs. NYI (Nov. 16)
Making the most of his limited minutes, defenseman Justin Schultz (available in 98% of leagues) is currently on a tear with a four-game point streak. Anchoring Seattle’s top power play certainly helps. Sub him onto your fantasy roster, if only temporarily, while he’s riding hot.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 20.83%
Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 11), vs. NYI (Nov. 13), vs. SEA (Nov. 15)
Regardless of how the Oilers are faring, Evander Kane (available in 47% of leagues) sports way too much upside to bypass. With his multipoint performances more than making up for the odd worthless outing, it all works out wonderfully in the fantasy wash.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.50%
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 10), @ OTT (Nov. 11), @ MTL (Nov. 14), vs. VAN (Nov. 16)
Add Nazem Kadri (available in 85% of leagues) if you need a scoring boost up front. The former fantasy gem is starting to look his old feisty, productive self, with all-around numbers to match.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 41.67%
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 12), vs. TB (Nov. 16)
Clear your fantasy roster of any Blackhawk not named Connor Bedard, Taylor Hall or Seth Jones. At least until other players on the depth chart begin to contribute with any sense of consistency.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 19.23%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Nov. 10), @ ANA (Nov. 12), vs. FLA (Nov. 14), vs. STL (Nov. 16)
Ex-Wild defenseman Calen Addison (available in 97% of leagues) will be afforded every opportunity to make the Sharks better, at even strength and on the power play. He’ll put up points, maybe even more than 40 by season’s end. Consider giving Addison a whirl if you’re in a deep league.
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Oilers switched goaltenders for Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Golden Knights, with Stuart Skinner replacing Calvin Pickard for Saturday night.
Pickard, who took over as Edmonton’s starter during a first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, was day-to-day, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said.
Pickard was stellar in Edmonton’s 5-4 overtime win in Game 2 with 28 saves, but he appeared uncomfortable in the third period and was seen shaking out his left leg.
He replaced regular-season starter Skinner when the Oilers trailed the Kings 2-0 in the first round. Edmonton won six in a row with Pickard in net and took a 2-0 series lead home from Las Vegas to Rogers Place. Skinner is 19-17 in career playoff games with the Oilers.
Also on Saturday, Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters that defenseman Brayden McNabb and forward Brandon Saad are both out of the lineup and considered day-to-day.
McNabb exited Game 2 after receiving a check to the boards by Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson in overtime. Saad is being held out with an undisclosed ailment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The second-round series of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have entered the “venue change” stage, where the previous visitors are now playing host.
The Carolina Hurricanes headed back to the Lenovo Center with a 1-1 series against the Washington Capitals, and they’ll pick up hostilities at 6 p.m. ET Saturday. The Edmonton Oilers traveled back to Rogers Place holding a 2-0 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights; Game 3 of that series is 9 p.m. ET Saturday.
What will the series tally be in Caps-Canes when it heads back to D.C. — and will the Knights win at least one in Alberta so they even see a Game 5 back in Las Vegas?
Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, a recap of what went down in Friday’s games and the three stars of Friday from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 3 | 6 p.m. ET | TNT
With the Canes and Capitals tied up 1-1 heading to Raleigh for Games 3 and 4, ESPN BET has Carolina as the -215 series favorite. Washington is +180 to win the series.
Capitals defenseman John Carlson scored a power-play goal in Game 2, his 13th career playoff power-play goal, which breaks a tie with Brian Leetch for third for such goals by an American-born defenseman. He still trails Chris Chelios (14) and Brian Rafalski (17).
For the first time in his postseason career, Tom Wilson reached all of these thresholds: 2 points, 3 shots on goal, 2 hits and 2 blocked shots. His seven points this season is the most he has had in a playoff run since the Cup-winning year of 2018 (15).
The Hurricanes have not held an in-game lead since Game 4 of the first round against the Devils. They won the series in Game 5 in a double-overtime game, then won Game 1 of this series 2-1 in OT after trailing 1-0. Since that lead in Game 4 of the first round, they have trailed for 89:28 and been tied for 117:55.
Among qualified goaltenders this postseason, Frederik Andersen leads by a wide margin in goals-against average (1.55), and is second in save percentage, at .930. The netminder ahead of him in SV%? Washington’s Logan Thompson.
Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers
Game 3 | 9 p.m. ET | TNT
Following two wins by the Oilers in Vegas, ESPN BET now lists Edmonton as the -550 favorites to win this series, with the Golden Knights at +380. Edmonton is also the current favorite to win the Cup, at +300, narrowly ahead of the Stars, at +325. Vegas is now +1800, the longest odds of any team remaining in the playoffs.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid combined to score the game-winning OT goal in Game 2. It was the second OT goal this postseason for Draisaitl, and he is now tied for the most such goals in a single postseason in Oilers history with Esa Tikkanen in 1991.
McDavid is second among playoff scorers with 14 points through eight games, trailing only Mikko Rantanen‘s 15. McDavid’s 1.75 points per game this postseason is ahead of his rate in playoff seasons past (1.58) and well ahead of his rate during last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Final (1.36).
Victor Olofsson had two goals and an assist in a losing effort in Game 2. Both goals were on the power play, and he joins Jack Eichel as the only players in Knights history with multiple power-play goals in a single playoff game.
Speaking of Eichel, he finished with three assists, joining Shea Theodore and William Karlsson as the only players in Knights history with two three-assist playoff games on their résumé.
Öcal’s three stars from Friday
After a rough first round against the Blues, Hellebuyck shut out the Stars in Game 2. He made 21 saves en route to the fourth clean sheet of his postseason career.
Ehlers had his second career multigoal game and added an assist in a big Game 2 effort that tied Winnipeg’s series with Dallas 1-1.
The former Bruin continues to haunt the Maple Leafs, this time with the overtime winner to get the Panthers on the series board at 2-1. It was his fourth career playoff OT goal, and he extended his own NHL record for most consecutive postseasons with a game-winning goal (nine).
Friday’s recaps
Florida Panthers 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (OT)
TOR leads 2-1 | Game 4 Sunday
Toronto entered with a 2-0 series lead and got out to a 2-0 start in the game as well, with goals from Matthew Knies and John Tavares, before Aleksander Barkov drew the Panthers back to within a goal with his third goal of the postseason. Tavares added a power-play tally at 2:52 of the second period on a slick deflection, before the Panthers ripped off two goals in quick succession to tie the score. The first was thanks to Sam Reinhart poking the puck in during a wild scramble in the Leafs’ crease, the second after a superb pass from Sam Bennett to Carter Verhaeghe. Jonah Gadjovich put the home squad up 4-3, but Morgan Rielly tied things up midway through the third. It took until the final five minutes of the first OT, but Brad Marchand came through with another game-winning goal. Full recap.
1:30
Brad Marchand’s OT winner sparks pandemonium from Panthers crowd
Brad Marchand scores a massive overtime goal to deliver the Panthers a 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Dallas Stars 0
Series tied 1-1 | Game 3 Sunday
If this is the kind of goaltending the Jets will now get from Connor Hellebuyck, the Stars (and the rest of the NHL) are in trouble. Hellebuyck stopped all 21 shots sent on the Jets’ goal en route to his fourth career postseason shutout. On the offensive side, Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers got the party started in the first. Adam Lowry added his fourth goal of the postseason in the second, and that 3-0 lead stood until 16:20 of the third, when Ehlers capped off the festivities with an empty-net goal. Full recap.
0:26
Nikolaj Ehlers rolls in an empty-net goal for Winnipeg
Nikolaj Ehlers scores his second goal of the game to pad the Jets’ lead late in the third period vs. the Stars.
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