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  • Sean Allen

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    Sean Allen

    Special to ESPN.com

      Sean Allen is a fantasy analyst for ESPN.com. He was the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hockey Writer of the Year. You can tweet him @seanard.

  • Victoria Matiash

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    Victoria Matiash

    Fantasy Hockey

    • ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
    • Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010

Nov 10, 2023, 06:30 AM ET

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.

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Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previewing Sunday’s three Game 1s

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2 hours ago

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April 20, 2025

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Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previewing Sunday's three Game 1s

After a two-game opening night, the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs continue Sunday with a trio of Game 1s:

Which teams will earn the early edge in their series? Who are the key players to watch?

Read on for game previews, recaps of what went down last night, and the Three Stars of the Night from Arda Öcal.

Matchup notes

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET, ESPN

These two teams split the regular-season series with two wins apiece; notably, all four of those games were played before Devils star Jack Hughes sustained a season-ending injury. The Hurricanes were led in scoring this season by Finland native Sebastian Aho (29 goals, 45 assists), while Sweden’s Jesper Bratt was the Devils’ leading scorer (21 goals, 67 assists). The two teams’ most recent postseason clash occurred in 2023, which the Canes won 4-1.

Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

The opening skirmish in the Battle of Ontario is the first postseason appearance for the Senators since 2017 — and the first ever for Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. On the other side, this will be the Maple Leafs’ ninth consecutive playoff appearance — with just one series win to show for it. Toronto has had its scoring prowess vanish in past postseasons, so leading scorer Mitch Marner (27 goals, 75 assists) & Co. will hope to reverse that trend. And while Toronto is the favorite in the series, Ottawa won all three regular-season games between the teams.

Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Sunday’s nightcap sees the wild-card Wild face one of the more complete teams in the West. Newly signed Minnesota defenseman Zeev Buium — fresh off a run to the NCAA Frozen Four final with the University of Denver — didn’t see action in the regular-season finale; how much will he be deployed in this series? The Knights will come at the Wild in waves, led by center Jack Eichel, who earned some Hart Trophy votes in the final edition of ESPN’s NHL Awards Watch. Vegas won all three regular-season games between the two clubs, by an aggregate score of 12-4.

Arda’s Three Stars of Saturday

A goal and two assists for Connor, who kept the Jets’ offense soaring in a game that set the tone for Winnipeg in this series — including a third period comeback. This team is still motivated by a five-game first-round exit last postseason, and they also want to keep the Presidents’ Trophy vibes going.

One of the best players of the game, and he showed up Saturday. Three points in Game 1 (on the road, no less), including the eventual game-winning goal and an empty-netter to help the Avalanche take the early lead in the series.

The chemistry between Scheifele and Connor was on display. The center finished with three points in Game 1, including a great play to get Connor the puck late in the third period on the game-winning goal.

Saturday’s results

Winnipeg Jets 5, St. Louis Blues 3
Jets lead series 1-0

A furious first period included a pair of goals for both teams, as the clubs elected to throw haymakers at the start of the series instead of patiently reading their opponents. The Blues carried a 3-2 lead into the third after a second-period tally from Jordan Kyrou, but the Jets took over the third — first with the momentum in front of a “White Out” crowd, and then with a trio of goals. Alex Iafallo had the game-tying score at 9:18 of the third, followed by the game-winner by Kyle Connor with 1:36 left and an empty-net goal by Adam Lowry to put the game away.

play

1:30

Jets score 5 goals in a thrilling Game 1 win over the Blues

The Jets best the Blues 5-3 in Game 1 of their playoff series.

Colorado Avalanche 5, Dallas Stars 2
Avs lead series 1-0

Unlike Saturday’s earlier game, these two contenders started with a 0-0 first period. But from the second period onward, it was all Avalanche. Artturi Lehkonen opened the scoring with one of the most unique goals in memory, with the puck going in off of his skate and over Jake Oettinger‘s shoulder — the play was ruled a good goal upon review. Nathan MacKinnon added a power-play tally after Roope Hintz high-sticked him to push it to 2-0 and the Avs never looked back. Although Hintz scored a power-play goal of his own in the third, the Avs got goals from Devon Toews, an empty-netter from MacKinnon and a final tally from Charlie Coyle.

play

2:01

Avs make easy work of Stars in dominant Game 1 win

The Avalanche put five goals past the Stars to take a 1-0 series lead in dominant fashion.

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MacKinnon keys Avs’ win over Stars in Game 1

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11 hours ago

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April 20, 2025

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MacKinnon keys Avs' win over Stars in Game 1

  • Associated Press

Apr 20, 2025, 12:01 AM ET

DALLAS — Nathan MacKinnon had a part in both of Colorado’s strange goals in the second period before adding an empty-netter late as the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 5-1 in the opener of their first-round Western Conference playoff series Saturday night.

MacKinnon scored on a shot that deflected off Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, and knuckled past goalie Jake Oettinger late in the second period. That came during an extended power play, a double minor against the Stars after he took a high stick to the face.

That came after MacKinnon’s assist midway through the second period on a goal by Artturi Lehkonen, who was following his initial shot and falling down after a collision in front of the net when the puck ricocheted off his lower left leg into the top corner of the net. The play was reviewed and officials ruled that there was no kicking motion by Lehkonen while tumbling to the ice with Mavrik Bourque.

“He was really good tonight,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “You know, like, obviously they’re going to key on him — like we do on some of their players — but really strong defensive game from him. And obviously, his get-up-and-go on the offensive side of it, he’s making plays all night. I thought that line was dangerous.”

There wasn’t much Oettinger could do on either of those goals as the Stars lost Game 1 in their eighth consecutive series in the NHL playoffs since 2022. They are 0-7 in series openers under coach Pete DeBoer, six of those coming at home. DeBoer saw progress, however, calling the effort Saturday night “the best game we’ve played in 3-4 weeks.”

Devon Toews gave Colorado a 3-1 lead with 7:04 left. MacKinnon’s empty-net tally for his 50th career playoff goal came with 3:08 left, 11 seconds before Charlie Coyle scored.

This series-opening loss for the Stars came after they finished the regular season on an 0-5-2 stretch that included four losses at home after being 28-5-3 before that.

Game 2 is Monday night in Dallas, before the series shifts to Denver.

Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 23 shots in his first career playoff game.

It was pretty special,” Blackwood said. “I’ve been waiting to play in the playoffs for a long time and it was great to finally get my first one.”

Blackwood was one of 11 players who have seen action since being acquired through Colorado’s eight in-season trades. Those deals included the Avalanche trading Mikko Rantanen on Jan. 24 to Carolina in the East. He played only 13 games before a deadline deal March 7 sent him back to the Central Division with the Stars and included an eight-year, $96 million contract extension.

Rantanen, who had 101 points (34 goals, 67 assists) in 81 playoff games for the Avalanche, had three shots and one block over 18 minutes in his postseason debut with the Stars.

Oettinger had 19 saves, three when Colorado had a two-man advantage in the first period when Cale Makar drew two tripping penalties only 36 seconds apart from each other.

Roope Hintz, who had the penalty against MacKinnon, trimmed the Stars’ deficit to 2-1 on his goal with 13:15 left in the game, just before the end of a power play and about a minute after DeBoer called a timeout.

Bednar got his 50th playoff win with the Avs — in his 82nd postseason game, equal to a full regular season. That broke a tie with Bob Hartley for the most wins by a coach in franchise history. Both won Stanley Cups — Bednar in 2022 and Hartley in 2001.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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‘Incredible third period’ rescues Jets in Game 1

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April 20, 2025

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'Incredible third period' rescues Jets in Game 1

  • ESPN News Services

Apr 19, 2025, 09:49 PM ET

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Kyle Connor‘s one-timer with 1:36 remaining in the third period snapped a 3-3 tie, and the No. 1 seed Winnipeg Jets survived a Game 1 scare — and some shaky goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck — to post a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues in the opener of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Connor also contributed a pair of assists and captain Adam Lowry capped the victory with an empty-netter with 53 seconds left, much to the delight of the “whiteout” full house of 15,225 fans at the Canada Life Centre.

“There were some emotional swings. Obviously, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted,” Lowry said during his postgame bench interview, aired on the arena’s jumbotron. “But what an incredible third period, what an incredible atmosphere. And we’re real happy with the result.”

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday in Winnipeg, and the home team knows it will need a more complete effort in their own zone if it is to gain a 2-0 series lead. Hellebuyck made 14 saves en route to the win, but in allowing three goals in the first two periods, he finished with a concerning .824 save percentage.

But Mark Scheifele had a goal and two assists and Jaret Anderson-Dolan also scored for the Jets, who won the Presidents’ Trophy for the NHL’s best regular-season record (56-22-4). With his three points, Scheifele became the Jets’ all-time leader in playoff points with 41.

“It’s obviously really cool,” Scheifele said of the record. “To do it in front of the fans tonight was pretty special. That was a fun game to be a part of.”

Jordan Kyrou gave the Blues a 3-2 lead with a power-play goal early in the second period, but Winnipeg’s top-line winger Alex Iafallo tied it at 9:18 of the third.

Robert Thomas also scored on the power play for St. Louis. Oskar Sundqvist added one at even strength and Justin Faulk had two assists.

Jordan Binnington stopped 21 shots for St. Louis, which grabbed the Western Conference’s final wild-card spot with a final-game victory.

St. Louis outshot the Jets 9-7 in the opening period, and dished out 32 hits to Winnipeg’s 14, as the teams hit the locker room tied at 2-2.

The Blues came out of the first intermission and used the power play for Kyrou’s goal at 1:13 and a 3-2 lead. It extended his season-ending point streak to four goals and two assists in four games.

“Overall, I thought it was a really good hockey game, but we are going to grow and we are going to get better,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “That’s what we’re going to have to do. … We’ve got a lot of young guys playing in their first game in the Stanley Cup playoffs. That’s why I know we will get better.”

Winnipeg couldn’t capitalize on its early third-period man advantage but came close when Binnington denied Connor on a one-timer.

After Lowry’s goal, players paired up for some fighting with 19 seconds left after a regular-season series that Winnipeg won 3-1.

“That’s playoff hockey,” Hellebuyck said. “You have to play ’till the last minute, the last second. You know, it was a lot of fun, the guys were buzzing out there. I didn’t get a whole lot of action in the third. But it was really fun to watch and be a part of it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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