Fantasy: 10 players to target in Stanley Cup playoff pools
The 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs present another opportunity for fantasy managers to prove their mettle.
Here's a look at 10 somewhat under-the-radar players to target in playoff pools.
Goalies
Blackhawks G Corey Crawford
Among the 29 goalies with more than 2,000 minutes played, Corey Crawford ranked seventh with an even strength save percentage of .931, and that ranking jumps up to fourth if you consider only those whose teams made the playoffs.
Crawford won 32 games for a Chicago Blackhawks team ready to challenge for the Cup, and is a solid bet to go deep in the postseason once again.
Capitals G Braden Holtby
Braden Holtby posted a career year for the Washington Capitals, winning 41 games with a save percentage of .923 and nine shutouts. In 21 career playoff games, he boasts a save percentage of .931, and appears ready to bring his calm, cool and collected approach to a Capitals team seemingly primed to finally go on a nice little run.
Defense
Rangers D Keith Yandle
Keith Yandle seemed to be finding his groove with the New York Rangers towards the end of the regular season, with a goal and three assists over the final six games.
He also finished two points off the team lead for the Arizona Coyotes, with 41 points in 63 games prior to being traded to the Big Apple. He has all the tools to be a very effective player for a Presidents Trophy club looking to return to the Final.
Blues D Alex Pietrangelo
Alex Pietrangelo had a bit of a down year by his standards, but his most productive stretch came through March and April, wherein he recorded two goals and 14 assists in 19 games. If the St. Louis Blues are finally going to to get over the hump, they'll need their top defenseman to step it up, much to the delight of fantasy managers.
Flames D Dennis Wideman
In the absence of Mark Giordano, Dennis Wideman stepped up in a big way for the Calgary Flames, finishing fourth in scoring among all defensemen with a career high 15 goals and 41 assists. The Flames have a real shot at winning a round, meaning Wideman could get a shot at putting up numbers in 10-plus games.
Forwards
Senators F Kyle Turris, F Mark Stone
Kyle Turris enters the playoffs riding a six-game point streak, with two goals and seven assists for the surprising Ottawa Senators. Thrust into the role of the club's number one center, Turris hit a new career high for total points (64), tied for first among Ottawa forwards with linemate and rookie sensation Mark Stone.
Stone was an absolute force for the Senators down the stretch, scoring seven goals in six April games and pushing himself into the Calder conversation. If Ottawa is going to beat the Montreal Canadiens, this pair will need to continue to ride high.
Canucks F Radim Vrbata
In his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, Radim Vrbata topped 30 goals for only the second time in his career, and set new highs in shots (267) and power-play points (23).
The Pacific Division bracket is as wide open as any this postseason, meaning the Canucks have a legitimate shot at winning a round or two. As such, Vrbata is a candidate to put together quite a productive spring.
Canadiens F Tomas Plekanec
Tomas Plekanec is coming off one of the most productive regular seasons of his career, registering 26 goals and 34 assists in a full 82 games. Four of those goals came in the last five games, and if he keeps firing away as he did in the regular season - with a career-high 248 shots - Plekanec could be set to become Montreal's next playoff hero.
Jets F Blake Wheeler
Blake Wheeler finished the season with 26 goals and 35 assists, one point behind Andrew Ladd for top spot among all Winnipeg Jets players. March was his most productive month, with nine goals and six assists in 14 games played in the midst of a dogfight to secure a playoff spot. This penchant for scoring in pressure situations should carry over to the playoffs for a Jets club capable of advancing to the conference finals.