The first week of fantasy playoffs had a truly terrible schedule. Today is, in reality, the last day of the week, as Sunday features just one game between the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks.
If you’re cruising ahead in your matchup this week, you’ll get what is essentially a bonus day on Sunday to make adds in advance of the second round of playoffs, and bolster your roster in preparation for the next matchup.
Here are some of the best adds to make for next week.
Jake Neighbours – STL – LW – 27% Owned
This add was good to make last week, but even better this week. Jake Neighbours is 27% owned so he may not be available in your league, but if he is, this is the best add for next week. Neighbours has 10 points in his last nine games, going just one game without registering a point. He’s added three power play points, 16 shots, 22 hits, and six blocks over this period too.
On the top line with Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas, and the top power play unit, Neighbours is getting elite deployment and is producing. He’s a must-add for next week.
Brandon Saad – STL – LW – 2% Owned
If Neighbours is owned in your league, a secondary option on the Blues is Brandon Saad. He’s just 2% owned and has an ongoing four-game point streak in which he’s amassed four goals and six points. He also chips in with at least two shots per game.
Saad is getting favourable deployment on the Blues’ second line with Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn, as well as second power play time. He’s not Neighbours, but the Blues have one of the best schedules in the league next week with four games against the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks, so having one of those players could be big.
Connor McMichael – WSH – C – 5% Owned
Why this player doesn’t have higher ownership is a mystery. Perhaps it’s because he’s a pure center, but Connor McMichael is absolutely fantasy relevant right now and is a fantastic add for next week. He’s currently centering the Capitals’ top line next to the red-hot Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie, and on the second power play unit. He’s playing over 17 minutes a night, and is making the most of this excellent deployment.
Over the past nine games, McMichael has put up five goals, eight points, two powerplay points, 14 shots, seven hits, and five blocks. With a great schedule next week, four games against the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Ottawa Senators, and the Capitals fighting tooth and nail to make it into the playoffs, McMichael is bound to play the best hockey of his life down the stretch.
Nick Paul – TBL – C – 12% Owned
The Tampa Bay Lightning are already load managing their star players, which means a greater opportunity for supplementary pieces like Nick Paul. He’s already a fixture on their elite top power play unit, and while the production isn’t super consistent with Paul, he’s poised to have a great finish to the season.
Over the past nine games, Paul has put up two goals, seven points, one power play point, 13 shots, 15 hits, and six blocks. His 5v5 deployment isn’t great, but when Brayden Point sat out the game on March 24, Paul was centering a line with Steven Stamkos and Anthony Duclair. There is massive potential for excellent deployment down the stretch.
The Lightning also have a good schedule next week with four games against the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
