Welcome to my FANTASY PLAYOFFS WAIVER EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! Which will actually be a lot like a normal fantasy report except I’ll share a couple bonus “strength of schedule” night-by-night for the next 2 weeks to help everyone with roster management (scroll down). Just a reminder to free subscribers who like my fantasy reports but don’t want your inboxes spammed with betting content, the unsubscribe button allows you to curate what content you receive. Last 30 days, my paid subscriber growth rate has exceeded free. In that time, I’m -4 free subscribers and +3 annual subscribers who paid for a full year. Fantasy content is mostly free, so maybe the unsubscribes are just people who don’t gamble and their fantasy teams were eliminated.

I’m offering subscriber #300 three free months all-access, but if you don’t care about gambling, the next 3 months won’t matter to you. There will a bunch of contract analytics coming this summer, that will be paid posts with free previews showing cool summary info, deeper dive behind the paywall. At the end of each season, I predict the next 8 years of every NHL player production, then re-grade their contracts. Stay tuned! Next week is probably my last fantasy report, because at this point in the season, view counts start to plummet week over week as 50% or more teams are eliminated from playoff contention (not every league is head-to-head).

Back to the matter of this week, the best schedule is easily the New York Rangers, which was discussed in my previous two reports. Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday is jam packed, so if you’re in a head-to-head playoff match, you need to look if you have any room those 3 nights. This is do or die time, so there will be players you don’t want to drop but can’t fit into your starting line-up. Identify who that is and be prepared to drop. You can scroll down to my watchlist (and the strength of schedule graphics), to see which teams/players are playing when you have open spots, to prioritize your targets to max games played.

1) Alexis Lafreniere, NYR, (48% Yahoo ownership): The former first overall pick was plugged here the last 2 fantasy reports, and their fantastic upcoming schedule was referenced multiple times. He was added to my team yesterday, except I might get a bye and not benefit from the perfect schedule, but he also played Sunday to help get me there. He’s playing top line and top power play, on fire since the departure of Artemi Panarin, scoring 18 PTS (4 on the PP) in his last 14 GP with 37 shots and 3 hits. The hit rate is down from his previous levels, but points and shots are plentiful. If you need hits, his teammate Will Cuylle is a great option, only 5 PTS in his last 12 GP, but 19 shots and 38 hits. He’s eligible at both wings (like Lafreniere), not that it matters Mon-Wed-Fri, but helps if you plan hanging on later. Rangers play 4 next week too.

2) Vincent Trocheck, NYR, (65% Yahoo ownership): You won’t find Trocheck on as many waiver wires as Lafreniere, but the center-only designation isn’t a problem this week because hardly anyone else plays Mon-Wed-Fri. Probably not available in category leagues scoring hits like ours, but a great addition this week even you don’t seek hits. In his last 11 GP, Vinny scored 12 PTS (5 on the PP) with 16 shots and 31 hits. He’s currently listed centering line 3, but averaging over 20 minutes per game last 30 days, which is far from 3rd line minutes. He plays top power play, which is the most important feature. A more widely available option also on fire is Pavel Zacha in Boston, scoring 14 PTS (3 on the PP) in his last 13 GP with 25 shots and 11 hits. He’s not playing with Pastrnak even strength anymore, but that hasn’t slowed down his production, they still play together on the power play.

3) Charlie Coyle, Cbj, (46% Yahoo ownership): Charlie Coyle was my top recommendation last week, and anyone who added was not disappointed, Charles fully charged the scoreboard Tuesday with 4 PTS. I’m dating myself with “Charles in Charge” references that probably many of you don’t get (Scott Baio was cool once upon a time). Blue Jackets have another great schedule, except for playing all the busy nights and Sunday, but now is not the time to drop if you’re holding equity. He might be pointless in 4 of his last 5 games, but also scoring point-per-game in his last 4 GP. If Coyle is gone in your league, his teammate Mason Marchment joins him on the top power play unit and deployed on line one at even strength, scoring 8 PTS (1 on the PP) in his last 13 GP, with 26 shots and 18 hits. He’s available in the subscriber league and will help you in shots and hits if you’re scoring those stats.

4) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buf, (52% Yahoo ownership): The Buffalo Sabres are only playing 3 times this week, but a pair of light nights and UPL should be getting 2 starts against Boston and Seattle, not exactly powerhouse offenses. He’s available in roughly half of leagues, in part because of the platoon with Alex Lyon (who is still on my team), winning 6 of his last 7 starts with a .930 SV%. At least their rotation has been very predictable and they aren’t deviating even after shutouts, which helps avoid refreshing Daily Faceoff on game day waiting to find out if your guy is going. Another option who might get you an extra start and also playing great lately is Dan Vladar in Philly, with 6 wins in his last 10 GP posting a .918 SV%. Now that I’m looking at it, he may deserve to be ahead of UPL, but I’m reasonably convinced the Buffalo Sabres will never lose again. You might get 3 starts from Vladar, but probably fewer wins.

5) Thomas Chabot, Ott, (62% Yahoo ownership): The Ottawa Senators are leaning heavily on Thomas Chabot with Sanderson injured, which includes quarterbacking the top power play unit. It was reported yesterday that Sanderson is back skating and the expected timeline for his return is 7-10 days, fortunately for Chabot owners, they play Mon-Tue-Thu so you’ve got a front-loaded schedule and can stream him out for a Fri-Sun option (Rangers-Blackhawks are the only teams playing Fri-Sun). In his last 12 GP, Chabot scored 9 PTS (1 on the PP) with 24 shots, 5 hits, and a +6. Another option plugged here last week is Bowen Byram, who scored 7 PTS (3 on the PP) in his last 13 GP with 24 shots and 12 hits. Sabres only play 3, but 2 light nights, so you can stream in for Wed-Fri then drop.

Honorable Mentions: Dan Vladar, Will Cuylle, Bowen Byram, Pavel Zacha, Mason Marchment

Last Week: Charlie Coyle, Matt Duchene, Bowen Byram, Alexis Lafreniere, Alex Lyon

1) Gabe Perreault, NYR, (11% Yahoo ownership): Gabe Perreault was available in 99% of leagues when I recommended you add him for fantasy playoffs two weeks ago, but noted last week that J.T Miller’s return bumped him from the top power play, but not from the top line, where he’s continuing to score. His ice time dropped 6 minutes in the game Miller returned, but back up to 18 minutes next game and scored 2 PTS in his 3 GP this week, so if you added, you’re not regretting. In his last 12 GP, the rookie scored 12 PTS (3 on the PP) with 21 shots and 3 hits, which makes that deployment more likely to sustain as the top prospect in their system. If you’re in a categories league and want more hits (with decent shooting) you could add Mathieu Olivier instead. He doesn’t get PP time, but playing on a productive line with Coyle, scoring 8 PTS in his last 13 GP, adding 27 shots, 32 hits, and a +6. Available in the subscriber league, where he can help if you have room Tue-Thu-Sat.

2) Vladislav Gavrikov, NYR, (17% Yahoo ownership): Yeah, another Ranger, but you already know why and repeating the reasoning would be redundant, so I’ll need to conjure more reasons to justify this recommendation without repeating myself. Normally Gavrikov is the type of player who only pings my radar when his team has an awesome schedule, but not the case this time. He’s been getting power play time with the Rangers and actually generating lots of scoring with 16 PTS in his last 20 GP, with 32 shots and 11 hits. He’s worth adding in points-only formats. If you want more hits, you could add Vladdy’s teammate Will Borgen, who also has a great schedule. In his last 12 GP, Slick Willy scored 6 PTS (none on the power play) with 14 shots, 20 hits, and a +6.

3) Jacob Fowler, Mtl, (16% Yahoo ownership): It looks like Montreal has decided which two goalies they’re driving to playoffs, and Sam Montembeault the likely odd man out. Dobes is looking like the #1 guy and Montreal does have a tough schedule this week and it’s possible Fowler will only get one start, but should be a winnable game against Nashville. In his last 3 starts, Jake has 2 wins with an .893 SV%, not great, but not bad either. Montreal has a better schedule next week, so worth hanging on longer in deep leagues, because once again there are very limited options available under 20% owned. You might get an extra start from Jake Allen, who could/should begin getting more action with New Jersey pretty much out of the playoff race, posting a .920 SV% in the last 30 days. Devils also have a tough schedule, but Jake has a good chance of getting Chicago on Sunday, which would be a popular stream, possibly clinching some playoff wins for savvy managers.

4) Connor Brown, NJ, (2% Yahoo ownership): You might be surprised to learn (as I was preparing this report) that Connor Brown is suddenly playing with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt at even strength and power play. In his last 12 GP, Brown scored 12 PTS (3 on the PP) with 21 shots and 9 hits. He forced his way onto my radar with excellent production, then forced my eyebrow raised seeing that recent stat line. Devils play 4 times, but only light night is Sunday, so you need to make sure there’s room on your roster. Good news: he’s available in 98% of Yahoo leagues, so very likely to be on your waiver wire in most formats. Another option is Viktor Arvidsson, playing line 2 (with aforementioned Pavel Zacha) and power play 2 in Boston. In his last 13 GP, the dual-eligible winger scored 13 PTS with 26 shots and 3 hits. Bruins at least give you an extra light playing Wednesday and Sunday.

5) Jamie Benn, Dal, (19% Yahoo ownership): Dallas has a 4-game week ahead, but one of the tougher schedules and only light night is Sunday, but the good news is Jamie Benn is eligible at all 3 forward positions for maximum roster flexibility. He’s currently playing on the Stars 2nd line with Duchene and Bunting, plus the top power play unit, which may not sustain when Rantanen returns, but that may not happen in the next few games. In his last 12 GP, Benn scored 8 PTS (3 on the PP) with 17 shots and 24 hits, so more value in banger formats than points-only. Another option is teammate Mavrik Bourque, who was my top deep league recommendation last week (even briefly joining my team) and delivered no points in 3 games, but was hot prior and still worth considering as the 3rd wheel on the top line with Johnston-Robertson, a role he’s likely to lose after the aforementioned Rantanen return.

Honorable Mentions: Mavrik Bourque, Viktor Arvidsson, Mathieu Olivier, Jake Allen, Will Borgen

Last Week: Mavrik Bourque, Gabe Perreault, K’Andre Miller, Jonathan Quick, Teuvo Teravainen