Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Round 1 of playoffs
Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Round 1 of the fantasy hockey playoffs. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Pick up Mikael Backlund
Team: Flames
Position: C
Ownership: 34 percent
Backlund has been on fire lately, scoring four goals and adding five assists in his last eight games, during which the Flames are 7-1. You'll almost certainly have room for him in your lineup for all four of his games, as three of Calgary's contests this week come when many teams are off.
Add Justin Schultz
Team: Penguins
Position: D
Ownership: 37 percent
Schultz has made a triumphant return from an early-season knee injury, as he's picked up six points in eight games since rejoining the lineup. With Kris Letang shelved, Schultz has been leading the Penguins' shaky defense corps, as he's averaging 26:45 of ice time over his last four games, recording four points in that span. He's also been the point man on Pittsburgh's highly skilled power-play unit.
The fact that the Pens have a league-high four games this week is simply a bonus to all the upside Schultz brings.
Stream Marcus Johansson
Team: Bruins
Position: LW
Ownership: 5 percent
The Bruins' biggest trade deadline acquisition has failed to make a notable impact in his three games in black and gold, tallying just one assist. However, Boston has been the league's hottest team of late, and it's only a matter of time before Johansson gets in on the action. He'll have plenty of chances to do so, as the Bruins are one of seven teams with four games this week.
Johansson should be targeted in deeper leagues where Backlund is likely already owned.
Take a flier on Filip Hronek
Team: Red Wings
Position: D
Ownership: 1 percent
Hronek is one of the Red Wings' top prospects and is already making an impact at the NHL level. Since his most recent recall from the AHL, the Czech blue-liner has four assists in six games, and he's played over 22 minutes in each of his last three contests. The Wings play four games this week, and three of their opponents struggle to keep the puck out of their own net.
Like Johansson, Hronek should be viewed as an option in deep leagues where Schultz has likely already been scooped up.
Drop fringe players on Blackhawks, Predators, Flyers, Sharks
The Blackhawks, Predators, Flyers, and Sharks each play two games this week. Obviously, the big names should still be owned, but any fringe players need to be dropped for guys with four games this week.