Fantasy hockey pickups: Blake Coleman, Troy Terry and other matchup-based weekly adds

With most fantasy hockey leagues entering playoff mode, the combination of skill, opportunity and schedule strength becomes crucial. Teams playing on lighter days like Monday, Wednesday and Friday offer an edge when fewer opponents are active. The Colorado Avalanche stand out this week with games against Pittsburgh, Dallas, Chicago and Washington on alternating days, making their players prime holds.[1][2]

Non-contenders like the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames also benefit from favorable slates. Alexis Lafreniere is on a scoring tear for the Rangers, while their rookie Gabe Perreault, rostered in just 5% of leagues, has exploded with two goals and five assists in four games alongside Mika Zibanejad. As the regular season winds down with one month left, timely pickups can make or break your postseason run. Check our fantasy playoff guide for broader strategies.

Forwards

Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames tops the list at 75.1% available. The Flames face Detroit, St. Louis, Florida and Tampa Bay on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Coleman rides a top scoring line and power play, posting three goals and an assist on 17 shots over his last five games. His recent form aligns with the team’s quiet-day schedule, positioning him for multi-category production.

Valeri Nichushkin offers upside for Colorado owners, available in 70.8% of leagues. Despite past frustrations, the power forward’s top-six and power-play role shines in a make-or-break week. For deeper insight into Nichushkin’s 2026 value, see our take in Fantasy hockey pickups: Assessing Hellebuyck and Nichushkin for 2026.[2]

Troy Terry returns strong for Anaheim after an upper-body injury, grabbing a goal and two assists in a 4-3 win over Montreal. Paired with Leo Carlsson on a top line, he’s 73.5% available and primed for more. The Ducks’ schedule supports grabbing him quickly before line-mates notice.

Dallas Stars players demand attention with games against Colorado, Minnesota and Vegas. Prioritize Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn and Mavrik Bourque, all hot lately with Duchene leading. Their searing form matches a packed midweek.

Other notables include Anthony Mantha (Pittsburgh, 59.8% available), Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles, 51.5%) and Jackson Blake (Carolina, 92.3%). These veterans and risers fill roster gaps across categories.

• Mantha: Steady 1.7 FPPG, Penguins schedule favors adds.
• Kopitar: Reliable 1.5 FPPG from Kings’ captain.
• Blake: High-upside Hurricane at 92.3% free.

Defense

Mikey Anderson of the Los Angeles Kings is a hits and blocks machine with emerging offense, available in 96.9% of leagues. The Kings kick off a four-game week Monday in New York, amplifying his value in peripheral stats.

Cole Hutson, the third Hutson brother signed by Washington, could debut Wednesday. His college dominance—80 points in 74 games at Boston University—marks him as a dynasty gem and trade chip reason for moving John Carlson. Even now, he’s a deep-league flier at 98.9% available.

Vladislav Gavrikov bolsters the Rangers’ back end amid their staggered schedule. Paired with Alexis Lafreniere mentions, he adds defensive stability with offensive pops.

Rangers’ favorable timing extends to defense, where Gavrikov fits streaming needs. Kings’ Anderson complements with physicality.

Deeper leagues should monitor Hutson’s puck-moving and shot, potentially transforming Caps’ blue line long-term.

Goaltenders

Alex Lyon of Buffalo leads at 2.8 FPPG, 65.3% available, with a 16-2-0 record and no road loss since December. The Sabres road trip hits Vegas, San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim, though Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen splits time.

Alex Nedeljkovic steps up for San Jose amid Yaroslav Askarov’s injury and Laurent Brossoit’s rust. Extended recently, he’s 8-1-1 since January with elite stats, carrying the Sharks’ playoff push at 97.8% available.

Joel Hofer (St. Louis, 84.6%) rounds out options with 2.2 FPPG reliability.

Lyon’s road prowess suits streaming. Nedeljkovic’s workload surges.

Buffalo’s tandem requires monitoring, but Lyon’s form edges out.

Short-term streamers

New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers play three times Monday-Friday, ideal for early-week streams. Luke Hughes shines for the Devils, offering offense from the blue line. Drop by Saturday for weekend busier teams.

Eric Comrie of Winnipeg posts 1.3 FPPG, winning five straight with stellar stats. Stream him Friday at Pittsburgh or Saturday at Rangers.

Frederik Andersen rebounds post-Olympic break, 4-1-0 lately versus Brandon Bussi’s dip. Expect two starts for Carolina against Columbus, Toronto and Pittsburgh.

Devils/Panthers exploit quiet days. Comrie’s backup role fits spot starts.

Andersen’s veteran presence stabilizes Hurricane net.

As April playoffs loom, prioritize schedule hackers like Colorado and Calgary. Nichushkin and Coleman embody skill-plus-opportunity, per recent waiver trends.[3] Monitor lines via daily lines and player rater for edges. Smart adds now propel championship contention.