The NHL season is winding down, and with it, fantasy hockey managers must make smart decisions to push for a playoff run. April 9 offers a prime slate of games with key matchups and standout players highlighted by NHL EDGE stats. Rickard Rakell, Logan Stankoven, and Valeri Nichushkin lead the charge, each with a strong case to produce points and shots on goal.
Rickard Rakell has been a fantasy gem for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old forward has 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 57 games and is tied for seventh in the NHL in points (23) during an 18-game stretch. Rakell has thrived on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Tommy Novak and ranks in the 96th percentile in high-danger shots on goal. With the Penguins averaging 4.00 goals per game since March 1, Rakell is a must-start in all formats.
Logan Stankoven continues to impress for the Carolina Hurricanes. The rookie has six points (five goals, one assist) in his past five games and is playing a career-high 20:02 per contest. NHL EDGE stats show he ranks in the 97th percentile in offensive zone time and 92nd in midrange shots on goal. Stankoven’s chemistry with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake has been a fantasy goldmine and he’s a top-20 forward in points per game.
Valeri Nichushkin is heating up for the Colorado Avalanche. The 31-year-old has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past nine games and nine points in 10 career games against the Calgary Flames. Nichushkin leads forwards in the 95th percentile in max skating speed and ranks in the 96th in long-range shots on goal. With the Flames struggling defensively, Nichushkin is a high-upside option.
New York Islanders rookie Calum Ritchie is another name to monitor. The 22-year-old has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past seven games and four game-winning goals this season. Ritchie ranks in the 89th percentile in max skating speed and eight of his 12 goals have come from high-danger areas. With the Islanders playing against a Toronto Maple Leafs team allowing 3.53 goals per game, Ritchie is a solid start.
With the final weeks of the season approaching, fantasy managers should lock in players like Rakell, Stankoven, and Nichushkin. Keep an eye on the NHL Status Report for lineup updates and injury news ahead of April 10’s games.
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