There are so many good opportunities throughout the year to get some exciting sports pools/drafts going. Whether it’s a pool for the Masters, or the NFL Playoffs, it creates excitement among groups of friends/associates. But I don’t think there’s any sports pool more fun than a NHL Playoffs pool. There is so much strategy that goes into picking a team of players. Should you load up on studs regardless of team, should you commit to two teams bound to meet in the Finals, or should you go with a strategy in between? My suggestion would be a strategy in between, but I’m not here to make any certain proclamations on how you should draft. After all, it’s nearly impossible to predict how the draft will fall. Therefore, I find it much easier to give a short breakdown of the top twelve teams in the Playoffs in my eyes (as you should only likely be picking from your top twelve), listing out the best player options with reasoning as to why you may want to pick them. At the end of the article, there will be a top 50 forwards comprehensive ranking list and top 10 defenseman comprehensive ranking list.
You don’t have to limit use of this article to just Playoff Pools. If you’re wagering on gambling sites as well, you could look to some of these players for props going into the first round. But without further ado, let’s get to it.
Team #1: Florida Panthers
Path to Conference Final: Tampa Bay Lightning and winner of Boston/Toronto
Top Options (in order): Barkov (73 gp, 80 pts), Tkachuk (80 gp, 88 pts), and Sam Reinhart (82 gp, 94 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Verhaege (76 gp, 72 pts), Tarasenko (76 gp, 55 pts), and Bennett (69 gp, 41 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Montour (66 gp, 33 pts) and Ekblad (51 gp, 18 pts)
Sleeper: Luostarinen (82 gp, 27 pts)
That’s right, FLA is at number one. The most playoff-ready team in the field coming off a disappointing loss in the Finals last year, I see these boys blazing past the first two matchups to make the Conference Finals yet again. I could easily see Florida making the Cup, and if you’re taking outrights, they’re my favourite choice.
Getting a weathered Lightning team (no pun intended), followed by a Boston/Toronto team with clear deficiencies, is the easiest path in my mind, and the more games a player plays, the more chances for points.
The clear top two picks could go one/two in any playoff draft this year, with Barkov and Tkachuk as clear leaders on this Panthers team. Both on PP1 and dominating at the center position, I think these two guys should be the first two off the board. Things start to get interesting with Reinhart, who had a breakout year (57 goals) but no clear past of translating his play into the playoffs. Reinhart is still a deadly pick, and can be an easy first rounder in a twelve-person draft.
The depth options are good too, with Verhaege being my favourite. Also on PP1, this guy has plenty of chances to shoot the puck, and his 40+ goals in past years shows he can tickle twine. Tarasenko and Bennett round out the top six. At defense, I much prefer Montour to Ekblad. Ekblad is coming into the Playoffs with an injured shoulder, and there’s no guarantee he’ll stay healthy. Montour produces points at a higher rate and he’s the dman on the first powerplay. Ekblad is good in a pinch, but I’d be taking Montour above the likes of Bennett and any other forward in the bottom six due to the powerplay upside.
The sleeper is Luostarinen, who low-key holds some value in this lineup. On the third line and second line powerplay, he has ample opportunity to produce, and don’t expect people in your draft to be scoping this guy out.
Team #2: Edmonton Oilers
Path to Conference Final: Los Angeles Kings and winner of Vancouver/Nashville
Top Options (in order): McJesus (76 gp, 132 pts), Draisaitl (81 gp, 106 pts), and Hyman (80 gp, 77 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Nugent-Hopkins (80 gp, 67 pts), Kane (77 gp, 44 pts), and Henrique (82 gp, 51 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Bouchard (81 gp, 82 pts)
Sleeper: Corey Perry (54 gp, 22 pts)
Trust me, I don’t like the Oilers more than a few other teams at the top of the heap. I like NYR better, CAR better, Dallas better, and even Winnipeg better. But those four teams all play each other in the second round. Edmonton gets the winner of VAN/NSH in the second round if they can make it past a LAK team that matches up badly against them. That’s why this is where I lean as the second best team to pick from. Well, that and the fact that their top line scoring is absurd.
It may be despicable that I’m taking the two studs from Florida over McJesus and Draisaitl, but it’s an indication of team strength as opposed to player strength. McDavid will still lead the NHL Playoffs in ppg, and Draisaitl shouldn’t be too far behind. They’re my consensus #3 and #4 picks off the board. Absolute killers that should see at least two rounds of action, and are likely to see three, will always play in my books.
Make sure not to overlook Hyman as a good option though after breaking out with over 50 goals this year. He has some playoff experience, and his netfront presence on powerplay one should guarantee three-to-four tap-ins. Nuge has regressed since last year, but is still a decent option, and Kaner will surely pot a few.
If your pool requires that you pick a defenseman, my choice at number one is Bouchard. Averaging over a point per game on the season and rocking out on the top powerplay, he puts up numbies. Make sure to take a stab at him if defensemen are falling past the first round.
The sleeper here is the true Rat King in Perry. Built for the playoffs, I see Perry getting some action, and a few front-of-the-net goals will make this a worthy sleeper investment. Let’s just hope he’s not scratched.
Team #3: Carolina Hurricanes
Path to Conference Final: New York Islanders and winner of NYR/Wasington (who are we kidding, it’s the Rangers)
Top Options (in order): Guentzel (67 gp, 77 pts), Aho (78 gp, 89 pts), and Svechnikov (59 gp, 52 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Jarvis (81 gp, 67 pts), Teravainen (76 gp, 53 pts), and Necas (77 gp, 53 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Burns (82 gp, 43 pts) and Skjei (80 gp, 47 pts)
Sleeper: Noesen (81 gp, 37 pts)
Carolina has a tough matchup in the second round in NYR, but they are basically guaranteed two rounds of hockey. Add to that Rod the Bod as a coach, a stingy defensive system, scalding-hot goaltending, and underrated offensive talent, and you have my third team on the board.
It’s no surprise who drives the play on this team. Aho on the first line and Svechnikov on the second. The key addition of Guentzel puts him over Svechnikov in my mind, as he gets those first line minutes with Aho and Jarvis and has a past of amazing point production in the postseason. Really, you can’t go wrong with having any of these three guys on your squad.
The depth scoring is good too, with Jarvis stepping into the first-line role with ease this year, followed up by a sniper in Teravainen and a playmaker in Marty Necas, both of whom have ample playoff experience from last year.
On defence, Burnsy gets the slight nod due to his position on the first powerplay. Burns shot generation is perennially high, and this helps his point production to a great extent. Don’t forget Skjei here though, as he has shown he can produce on 5 on 5, which plays a bigger role in the playoffs with the minimal penalties.
Noesen is a good sleeper, especially when a lot of people may go with Kuznetsov as a sleeper with his minimal offensive production hiding him from the naked eye. But Kuznetsov has been very bad on the metrics in his time with the Canes, and Noesen has position on PP2 to make some noise as a sleeper.
Team #4: New York Rangers
Path to Conference Final: Washington Capitals and winner of Carolina/NYI (again, who are we kidding, it’s the Canes)
Top Options (in order): Panarin (82 gp, 120 pts), Kreider (82 gp, 75 pts), Trocheck (82 gp, 77 pts), and Zibanejad (81 gp, 72 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Lafreniere (82 gp, 57 pts) and Roslovic (59 gp, 31 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Fox (72 gp, 73 pts) and Miller (80 gp, 30 pts)
Sleeper: Kappo Kakko (61 gp, 19 pts)
I like Carolina slightly better than NYR in their projected matchup in round two, which is why I have Carolian higher, but make no doubt about it: I will pick Panarin over a lot of Carolina guys. The points this guy can put up in two rounds will be more than sufficient, especially with the way he’s been playing lately. After a few disappointing playoff performances, the Breadman has changed his game, attacking the middle more often while staying on the perimeter less, and the result has been one of the best seasons out of any player this year. An absurd point producer, this guy can be the foundation of your squad.
Then you have Kreider, along with all of the powerplay and net-front goals that come along with this big bruiser. After him, take your choice between Trochek and Zibanejad, with the latter being the bigger powerplay merchant and the former being a more consistent 5 on 5 option.
Rounding out the group is Laf and Rossy. Both solid players, I obviously like Laf better with his offensive ability, but there should be some scraps for each of em’.
Next to Bouchard, Fox is the pick at defence. You could argue that Fox deserves to be higher and I wouldn’t fight you on it. He’s a killer on the PP, a puckmover at 5 on 5, and will be one of the top scoring defenseman in the Playoffs regardless of if he gets bounced in the second round. Gustaffson is a lowkey good second option here if you want a decent second dman on your team.
Lastly, Kakko is a good sleeper with his low overall statistics and his spot on the second powerplay. Look to the former top three pick to pick up a few points over the first couple rounds, with upside after that.
Team #5: Vancouver Canucks
Path to Conference Final: Nashville Predators and winner of Edmonton/LA Kings
Top Options (in order): Petersson (82 gp, 89 pts), J.T. Miller (81 gp, 103 pts), and Boeser (81 gp, 73 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Garland (82 gp, 47 pts), Lindholm (75 gp, 44 pts), and Hoglander (80 gp, 36 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Q.Hughes (82 gp, 92 pts) and Hronek (81 gp, 48 pts)
Sleeper: Dakota Joshua (63 gp, 32 pts)
Do you trust the Canucks in the Playoffs? Well, I trust them a lot more than picking a winner in the WPG/COL series or the DAL/VGK series, that’s for sure. That is the only reason I’m taking VAN here, but they have good scoring options to choose from.
Pettersson and JT Miller are the two top guns, and are basically interchangeable. Take whichever one you’d like, but I’d lean Miller with his game translating better to the playoffs.
Boeser is in a tier below them, but only slightly. He fills up the net and is one of the main trigger men on the PP. Fill in the rest with Garland, Lindholm, and Hoglander, who are all around the same middling level for me.
Things get exciting on the backend with this team. Hughes is my third defenceman off the board overall with a Norris-worthy season. Just watch this guy on the PP. Hronek is probably the best number two option on any team with good secondary point production.
Team #6: Dallas Stars
Path to Conference Final: Vegas Golden Knights and winner of Winnipeg/Colorado
Top Options (in order): Robertson (82 gp, 80 pts), Hintz (80 gp, 65 pts), and Pavelski (82 gp, 67 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Wyatt Johnson (82 gp, 65 pts), Duchene (80 gp, 65 pts), Seguin (68 gp, 52 pts), Benn (82 gp, 60 pts), Stankoven (24 gp, 14 pts), and Marchment (81 gp, 53 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Heiskanen (71 gp, 54 pts) and Harley (79 gp, 47 pts)
Sleeper: Dadonov (51 gp, 23 pts)
The Stars are my favourite to come out of a stacked Central, and I love their top line of Robertson, Hintz, and Pavelski. Those three guys are your first three picks off this team, and then you have plenty to choose from.
Probably the deepest forward group in the dance, take your pick: Johnson the young gunna, Duchene the playmaking vet, Stankoven the game-changer. It’s really just whoever suits your fancy.
On defence, you gotta go with the smooth-skating Heiskanen first. He has the playoff experience and his puck movement will be on point in a big spot. Harley is another good number two though, with a burst on the scene this year resulting in 15 goals from the blueline.
Last but not least, Big Daddy Dadonov could be a good sleeper. Gets some PP time and has low stats on the season after missing 20+ games, so look to him for a few.
Team #7: Winnipeg Jets
Path to Conference Final: Colorado Avalanche and winner of Dallas/VGK
Top Options (in order): Scheifele (74 gp, 72 pts), Connor (65 gp, 61 pts), and Vilardi (47 gp, 36 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Ehlers (82 gp, 61 pts), Monahan (83 gp, 59 pts), Toffoli (79 gp, 55 pts), and Neiderreiter (77 gp, 34 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Morrissey (81 gp, 69 pts) and Pionk (82 gp, 33 pts)
Sleeper: Lowry (81 gp, 35 pts)
The top line is where you go if you want Jets on your squad. Scheifele’s the ring-leader, but don’t discount how much Vilardi means to this line. Connor will be potting the whole first round, and I expect the Jets to at least make it to round two.
Ehlers is the best of the secondary scoring, but the additions of Monahan and Toffoli takes this team over the top. Monahan specifically has been the most impactful, but Toffoli puts up the points. Neiderreiter is a horse with lots of playoff experience.
As far as defencemen go, Morrissey may be one of the biggest surprises on the season. He puts up good point totals and is really all this team has for production on the backend, as Pionk has regressed this year.
El Capitan Lowry is the sleeper. He will eat playoff minutes in the shutdown role and should get some pucks on net with stats to show for it.
Team #8: Boston Bruins
Path to Conference Final: Toronto Maple Leafs and winner of Florida/TBL
Top Options (in order): Pastrnak (82 gp, 110 pts) and Marchand (82 gp, 67 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Coyle (82 gp, 60 pts), Zacha (78 gp, 59 pts), and Debrusk (80 gp, 40 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): McAvoy (74 gp, 47 pts) and Lindholm (73 gp, 26 pts)
Sleeper: Pat Maroon (51 gp, 16 pts)
Trust me, the only reason I have Boston higher than some teams is because I expect them to beat Toronto. That being said, I’d pick MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar over everyone but Pastrnak on Boston. Boston just doesn’t have that much in terms of offensive firepower.
You take Pasternak, and then I guess you hope Zacha and Coyle live up to their top six roles. I’m betting on Marchand over these other guys to get points because of his pedigree, but after him, it’s a pick em’.
The only defender worth taking on Boston is McAvoy. Lindholm could get a couple points in a pinch, but it’s McAvoy dominating powerplay time and driving the play predominantly offensively.
A sneaky sleeper, Maroon is a greaser, but he has the experience and the opportunity to be a valuable player these playoffs (something I didn’t think I would say). Powerplay minutes for the forgotten man should get you some value here.
Team #9: Colorado Avalanche
Path to Conference Final: Winnipeg Jets and winner of Dallas/VGK
Top Options (in order): Mackdaddy (82 gp, 140 pts) and Rantanen (80 gp, 104 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Nichushkin (54 gp, 53 pts), Drouin (79 gp, 56 pts), and Mittelstadt (80 gp, 57 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Makar (77 gp, 90 pts) and Toews (82 gp, 50 pts)
Sleeper: Parise (81 gp, 35 pts)
Sorry Avs fans, I have you out in the first round. But it’s tough to count this team out, and the offensive firepower with Natedawg and Mikko is nutso. Taking Mackinnon first overall in a playoff draft is not out of the question for crying out loud; he’s a stud.
Then, go with Nichushkin as a sneaky point-per-game pick. The guy missed some time, but he dominates playoff hockey with his big frame. Drouin is next up with his Mackinnon/Halifax reunion coming to fruition this year. Then, the trade deadline addition of Mittelstadt can get you points in a pinch.
A top five defenceman in any NHL pool or draft you do, Makar will get you some good production from the point if the Avs last. Toews is worth a look, but not worth much more if you don’t need more than one dman.
Did everyone here know Zach Parise is on Colorado? Wow, the man may finally get a Cup after toiling away on NJD and MIN. He actually gets some PP2 time, and has the experience to pot a few.
Team #10: Vegas Golden Knights
Path to Conference Final: Dallas Stars and winner of Colorado/Winnipeg
Top Options (in order): Eichel (63 gp, 68 pts) Stone (56 gp, 53 pts), Marchessault (82 gp, 69 pts), and Hertl (54 gp, 38 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Karlsson (70 gp, 60 pts), Barbashev (82 gp, 45 pts), and Stephenson (75 gp, 51 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Theodore (47 gp, 42 pts) and Hanifin (80 gp, 47 pts)
Sleeper: Mantha (74 gp, 44 pts)
While VGK’s highest point producer on the season was Marchessault at 69 points, that doesn’t tell the whole story. These guys have three guys that are basically point-per-game players this year (Eichel, Hertl, and Theodore) and Hertl came over from the Sharks. Just stacked.
Eichel and Stone are the clear top two picks here, and Marchy and Hertl aren’t too far behind. The depth options are good too with three players that could be close to a point-per-game through the playoffs.
Aim for Theodore on this blueline with his PP1 dominance and deadly production.
Mantha is a good sleeper after coming over from Washington. While he may not make the top six forward group, his big frame plays well in the playoffs, and they could sub him in for some PP time.
Team #11: Toronto Maple Leafs
Path to Conference Final: Boston Bruins and winner of Florida/TBL
Top Options (in order): Matthews (81 gp, 107 pts), Nylander (82 gp, 98 pts), and Marner (69 gp, 85 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Tavares (80 gp, 65 pts), Domi (80 gp, 47 pts), and Bertuzzi (80 gp, 43 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Rielly (72 gp, 58 pts)
Sleeper: Nic Robertson (56 gp, 27 pts)
If you like the Leafs this playoffs; good luck. The defence just isn’t there for this team to make a run. Still, Matthews can put up some good numbers in one-two rounds, and Nylander has always played well in the playoffs (unlike most Leafs). Marner is a concern with his play not translating to the playoffs, but he still ranks ahead of the secondary options.
Tavares is consistent, while Domi or Bertuzzi could go off if they end up playing with Matthews consistently. Meanwhile, Rielly is really the only dman you can stomach taking on this team.
Jason’s younger brother Nic is actually quite the sniper, and could get some PP time on unit two with a chance to contribute in his first real playoff action.
Team #12: Tampa Bay Lightning
Path to Conference Final: Florida Panthers and winner of Boston/Toronto
Top Options (in order): Kucherov (81 gp, 144 pts), Point (81 gp, 90 pts), and Stamkos (79 gp, 81 pts)
Middling Options (in order): Hagel (82 gp, 75 pts) Duclair (73 gp, 42 pts), Paul (82 gp, 46 pts), and Cirelli (79 gp, 45 pts)
Defensive Options (in order): Hedman (78 gp, 76 pts)
Sleeper: Eyssimont (81 gp, 25 pts)
I think Tampa is washed, but taking their players is your prerogative. In reality, Kucherov could put up more points in one round than most could in two, so there is that going for you.
No doubt, the top three are great here, with Kucherov and Point being a tier above Stammer. The depth scoring is good, where I like Hagel best and Duclair next after the move from the SJS.
Hedman, as per usual, is the defenceman to take. I don’t really see a second feasible option on the backend with Sergachev out.
I don’t even know who Eyssimont really is, but he’s had some power play time recently and out up some decent stats for his first NHL season.
AND FINALLY ………
The Rankings:
Top 50 Forwards
- Barkov, FLA
- Tkachuk, FLA
- McDavid, EDM
- Draisaitl, EDM
- Guentzel, CAR
- Reinart, FLA
- Panarin, NYR
- Hyman, EDM
- Aho, CAR
- Pettersson, VAN
- JT Miller, VAN
- Robertson, DAL
- Boeser, VAN
- Svechnikov, CAR
- Verhaege, FLA
- Kreider, NYR
- Trochek, NYR
- Pastrnak, BOS
- Hintz, DAL
- Pavelski, DAL
- Scheifele, WPG
- Zibanejad, NYR
- Connor, WPG
- Vilardi, WPG
- MacKinnon, COL
- Rantanen, COL
- Eichel, VGK
- Stone, VGK
- Ehlers, WPG
- Matthews, TOR
- Jarvis, CAR
- Nugent-Hopkins, EDM
- Tarasenko, FLA
- Teravainen, CAR
- Nylander, TOR
- Wyatt Johnson, DAL
- Duchene, DAL
- Marchessault, VGK
- Marner, TOR
- Garland, VAN
- Lindholm, VAN
- Necas, CAR
- Seguin, DAL
- Benn, DAL
- Stankoven, DAL
- Hertl, VGK
- Nichushkin, COL
- Kucherov, TB
- Point, TB
- Bennett, FLA
Top 10 Defenceman
- Bouchard, EDM
- Fox, NYR
- Hughes, VAN
- Heiskanen, DAL
- Makar, COL
- Morrissey, WPG
- Montour, FLA
- McAvoy, BOS
- Hronek, VAN
- Theodore, VGK
Well that’s it people. I will be posting another betting article soon with NHL Playoff game bets. If you want to make sure you don’t miss these articles, follow me on X at @plusmoneypost as I will be sharing them there.