NHL Fantasy picks, props, futures with EDGE stats
Players to watch with projections, advanced metrics for upcoming games; new podcast episodes
© Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images
SAT. MARCH 7
Player to watch for shots on goal, point and/or goal: Nikolaj Ehlers, F, CAR (at CGY; 10 p.m. ET; CBC, SNW, SNP, FDSNSO)
The Carolina Hurricanes wing has five goals over a current three-game goal streak and nine points (six goals, three assists) in his past seven games. Ehlers, who had four points in his first 10 games with the Hurricanes, has 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in his past 52 games. The 30-year-old scored his 20th goal of the season in Friday’s 6-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers to give him nine 20-goal seasons in 11 seasons in the NHL. Ehlers has had at least three shots on goal in six consecutive games. Per NHL EDGE stats, Ehlers ranks highly among forwards in hardest shot (93.63 mph; 95th percentile), average shot speed (63.92; 97th percentile), long-range SOG (28; 98th percentile), long-range goals (two; 96th percentile), midrange SOG (55; 92nd percentile), midrange goals (seven; 89th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (126; 88th percentile), total skating distance (167.74; 87th percentile), offensive zone time percentage (46.9; 97th percentile) and offensive zone starts percentage (42.0; 91st percentile). The Calgary Flames are winless in their last four games and have allowed 15 goals over that span. -- Chris Meaney
Player to watch for goal, multiple points and/or shots on goal: Tim Stutzle, F, OTT (at SEA; 10 p.m. ET; KHN/Prime, KONG, SNO, SNE, CITY, TVAS)
The Ottawa Senators center has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) and five power-play points during a current 11-game point streak. Stutzle has had at least one point in 15 of his past 17 games and has 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) over that span. Stutzle leads the Senators in points (66), goals (29), even-strength points (42), is tied for first in assists (27), and ranks second in shots on goal (152) in 61 games this season. The 24-year-old has 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 32 road games. Per NHL EDGE stats, Stutzle ranks sixth in the entire NHL in 20-plus mph speed bursts (265), is fifth in 22-plus mph bursts (31) and is tied for ninth in high-danger goals (17). Stutzle also ranks highly among forwards in max skating speed (23.54 mph; 97th percentile), total skating distance (199.97 miles; 98th percentile), hardest shot (90.10 mph; 85th percentile), midrange goals (nine; 95th percentile), midrange SOG (53; 91st percentile), high-danger SOG (66; 96th percentile), offensive zone time percentage (46.4; 95th percentile) and offensive zone starts percentage (46.0; 98th percentile). -- Meaney
Player to watch for shots on goal, point and/or goal: Cole Perfetti, F, WPG (vs. VAN; 7 p.m. ET; SNW, SNP)
The Winnipeg Jets wing has had at least four shots on goal in four of his past six games, at least three SOG in eight of his past nine games and at least two SOG in 12 consecutive games. Perfetti has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 47 games this season and seven points (four goals, three assists) in his past eight games. Perfetti is playing on the second line with Gabriel Vilardiand Adam Lowry and first power play with Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey (expected to return to lineup) and Vilardi. Per NHL EDGE stats, Perfetti ranks highly in offensive zone starts percentage (40; 86th percentile). The Vancouver Canucks are 9-23-4 in their last 36 games and have allowed the most goals per game (3.78) and have the worst penalty kill percentage (69.2) in the NHL over that span (Dec. 1). -- Meaney
Player to watch for goal, shots on goal and/or point Jake Guentzel, F, TBL (at TOR; 7 p.m. ET; CBC, SNO, NHLN, The Spot)
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward ranks highly on the team in goals (26 in 60 games; third), points (65; second), shots on goal (164; third) and game-winning goals (five; tied for second) this season. Guentzel is one of three Lightning players with at least 25 goals (others: Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel), tied with the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche for the most in the League. Guentzel, who scored one goal on 13 shots for the United States at the 2026 Olympics, has five points (all assists) in five games since returning from Milan. Guentzel has bounce-back appeal as his 22 shots on goal are the second-most among players who have not scored since the NHL resumed play after the break. Guentzel is playing on Tampa Bay's first line with Kucherov and Brayden Point, as well as the first power pay with Darren Raddysh and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Per NHL EDGE stats, Guentzel ranks fourth in high-danger shots on goal (91) and is tied for fourth in high-danger goals (20) in the entire NHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs are winless in six games (0-4-2) since the Olympic break and have allowed at least five goals in three of those games. -- Troy Perlowitz
Read more: 'NHL Goal Chase' picks
Read more: 'NHL Fantasy Stars' picks/strategy
Read more: NHL Status Report for today
---
Others to watch for goal and/or shots on goal:
Cole Caufield, F, MTL (at LAK)
Tage Thompson, F, BUF (vs. NSH)
Kyle Connor, F, WPG (vs. VAN)
Adrian Kempe, F, LAK (vs. MTL)
Dylan Guenther, F, UTA (at CBJ)
Others to watch for point:
Alex Tuch, F, BUF (vs. NSH)
Nick Schmaltz, F, UTA (at CBJ)
Drake Batherson, F, OTT (at SEA)
Jackson Blake, F, CAR (at CGY)
Brayden Schenn, F, NYI (at SJS)
Others to watch for multiple points:
Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL (at TOR)
Mark Scheifele, F, WPG (vs. VAN)
Sebastian Aho, F, CAR (at CGY)
Nick Suzuki, F, MTL (at LAK)
Artemi Panarin, F, LAK (vs. MTL)
Others to watch for assist:
Brayden Point, F, TBL (at TOR)
Clayton Keller, F, UTA (at CBJ)
Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI (at SJS)
Juraj Slafkovsky, F, MTL (at LAK)
Anze Kopitar, F, LAK (vs. MTL)
Others to watch for shots on goal:
Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS (vs. NYI)
Seth Jarvis, F, CAR (at CGY)
Brandon Hagel, F, TBL (at TOR)
Brock Boeser, F, VAN (at WPG)
William Nylander, F, TOR (vs. TOR)
Line combos/trios to consider:
WPG: Kyle Connor -- Mark Scheifele
TBL: Jake Guentzel -- Brayden Point -- Nikita Kucherov
CAR: Andrei Svechnikov -- Sebastian Aho -- Seth Jarvis
BUF: Tage Thompson -- Alex Tuch
UTA: Clayton Keller -- Nick Schmaltz -- Dylan Guenther
MTL: Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki
LAK: Artemi Panarin -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe
OTT: Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
---
NHL FUTURES WATCH
NOTES: The below players are candidates to watch, from front-runners to sleepers, for various 2026 NHL Awards. These lists are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz.
Art Ross Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Cole Caufield, F, MTL
- Matt Boldy, F, MIN
- Jason Robertson, F, DAL
Hart Trophy:
- Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
- Connor McDavid, F, EDM
- Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
Norris Trophy:
- Cale Makar, D, COL
- Zach Werenski, D, CBJ
- Lane Hutson, D, MTL
- Quinn Hughes, D, MIN
- Matthew Schaefer, D, NYI
Vezina Trophy:
- Ilya Sorokin, G, NYI
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TBL
Jack Adams Award:
- Lindy Ruff, BUF
- Jared Bednar, COL
- Jon Cooper, TBL
Stanley Cup:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Dallas Stars
- Minnesota Wild
- Carolina Hurricanes
