NHL Fantasy picks, props, futures for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NHL.com identifies players to watch for free-to-play fantasy hockey games, props and futures throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

MORE PLAYOFFS COVERAGE:

Fantasy playoff rankings | NHL EDGE stats

Projected lineups, starting goalies for today

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THU. JUNE 4

VGK at CAR: Game 2 (8 p.m. ET; ABC, SN, TVAS, CBC)

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NHL PROP WATCH

NHL.com's fantasy hockey staff of Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz provide daily players to watch for props in various categories and for free-to-play games throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Player to watch for point, shots on goal and/or blocked shots: Shea Theodore, D, VGK

The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman had three points (one goal, two assists), two shots on goal, five shot attempts and two blocked shots in their 5-4 win in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. Theodore, who is tied for third among defensemen with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and is third in the entire NHL in total ice time (430:45) in the postseason, ranks second at his position in blocked shots (48) in these playoffs. Theodore and Brayden McNabb accounted for all the defensive scoring for Vegas against the Hurricanes and became the first linemate defensemen in Stanley Cup Final history to each record three points in Game 1 (third pair to do so in any Final contest). The 30-year-old has five points (one goal, four assists) during a three-game point streak and has nine points (four goals, five assists) in nine road games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Theodore ranks second among active defensemen with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 11 games in the Stanley Cup Final, behind Victor Hedman’s 18 points in 23 games. -- Meaney

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Others to watch for point:

Taylor Hall, F, CAR (vs. VGK)
Tomas Hertl, F, VGK (at CAR)
Logan Stankoven, F, CAR (vs. VGK)
William Karlsson, F, VGK (at CAR)
Brett Howden, F, VGK (at CAR)

Others to watch for assist:

Mitch Marner, F, VGK (at CAR)
Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR (vs. VGK)

Others to watch for shots on goal:

Jack Eichel, F, VGK (at CAR)
Jackson Blake, F, CAR (vs. VGK)
Logan Stankoven, F, CAR (vs. VGK)
Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK (at CAR)
Seth Jarvis, F, CAR (vs. VGK)

Others to watch for blocked shots:

Brayden McNabb, D, VGK (at CAR)
Jaccob Slavin, D, CAR (vs. VGK)
K'Andre Miller, D, CAR (vs. VGK)

Line combos/trios to consider:

CAR: Taylor Hall -- Logan Stankoven -- Jackson Blake
VGK: Brett Howden -- William Karlsson -- Mitch Marner
VGK: Tomas Hertl -- Mark Stone
CAR: Andrei Svechnikov -- Sebastian Aho -- Seth Jarvis

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'NHL GOAL CHASE' PICKS

Welcome to "NHL Goal Chase," a daily game where fans pick one goal-scorer per day and try to compile the longest streak possible. Multigoal games can also extend your streak by the number of goals scored by the goal-scorer you select.

Other players to watch for goal:

Jack Eichel, F, VGK (at CAR)
Logan Stankoven, F, CAR (vs. VGK)
Tomas Hertl, F, VGK (at CAR)
Jackson Blake, F, CAR (vs. VGK)

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'NHL FANTASY STARS' ADVICE

Do you have what it takes to be an NHL GM? Test your skills by downloading the "NHL Fantasy Stars" app and setting your daily lineup during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs! The game allows you to construct your dream team by opening packs, compiling coins and then collecting, buying, selling and training NHL licensed hockey players.

Under-the-radar pick: Tomas Hertl, F, VGK

The Vegas Golden Knights forward scored his second go-ahead, game-winning goal in his past three games to help them win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes. Hertl, who's attainable for 300 coins in "NHL Fantasy Stars," now has eight points (four goals, four assists) over his past eight playoff games. Hertl was tied for the most shot attempts in Game 1 of the Cup Final (seven; four of them came on power play) and frequently plays on the first power-play unit with Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev. Per NHL EDGE stats, Hertl is tied for eighth in high-danger shots on goal during the playoffs (16) and ranked among the NHL’s top 10 in that category during the regular season.

Read more: EDGE stats behind Hertl's bounce-back postseason

Players available in "NHL Fantasy Stars" open market for 300 coins or fewer who are in action Tuesday: Logan Stankoven, F, CAR; Taylor Hall, F, CAR; Jackson Blake, F, CAR; Pavel Dorofeyev, F, VGK; Brett Howden, F, VGK; Ivan Barbashev, F, VGK; Rasmus Andersson, D, VGK; Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR; K'Andre Miller, D, CAR; Brayden McNabb, D, VGK

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NHL FUTURES WATCH

NOTE: These contenders for various futures angles are a collaborative effort by Jensen, Meaney and Perlowitz.

Conn Smythe Trophy:

1. Mitch Marner, VGK
2. Frederik Andersen, CAR
3. Jack Eichel, VGK
4. Logan Stankoven, CAR
5. Taylor Hall, CAR

To lead entire playoffs in goals:

1. Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK
2. Logan Stankoven, CAR
3. Brett Howden, VGK
4. Mitch Marner, VGK
5. Taylor Hall, CAR

To lead entire playoffs in points:

1. Mitch Marner, VGK
2. Jack Eichel, VGK
3. Taylor Hall, CAR
4. Jackson Blake, CAR
5. Pavel Dorofeyev, VGK