Last week we reviewed the hottest even strength lines to see if there were any players in great situations to help out in those do or die matchups that are the fantasy playoffs. This week we are going to do much the same process, but be looking through the top power-play lines for producing power-plays that might have a piece still available on the waiver wire.

This week on Frozen Tool Forensics: Hottest Power-Plays

As far as process goes, we will be using the top PP line report from Frozen Tools. I set a couple of filters right up front – looking only at forwards and setting the time frame for the last two weeks. This report, like the even strength one, includes shot and corsi information, though in this case, given the short-term nature of the pickup I am focused on actual production. Goals. I exported the report to be able to get a more article friendly version and be able to add the bolded players.

It is very likely that most of the players on this list are owned as they represent some of the best scorers in the league. This list also identifies players who are less owned who are getting access to top units and production power-plays, though and we will focus on a few of them.

Just as a reference point, the rostered numbers come from Yahoo, and the performance data was pulled on 4/7 prior to Thursday's games.

Tim Stutzle (37% rostered) has 16 points in his last 16 games, 10 of those coming on the power play. Stutzle is on the top unit, and as of their most recent game on an even strength unit with Drake Batherson. He has been averaging over three minutes of total power-play time all season, with a slight uptick recently. The only thing that has changed recently is Batherson's return, which is definitely a boon to Ottawa in general. He would be a good add if he is somehow available.

Taylor Raddysh (1%) saw a little jump in ownership when he joined Chicago and immediately got second line, top power-play time. It seemed a great fit at first with four points and ten shots in his first three games, but he is now down to one point in his last five games, and only six shots in his last four. He is still getting some top power-play time, though was on what looks like the third line as of 4/3. He is not a must add at this point, but if your waiver wire is bare, he is still getting that top power-play time.

Zach Hyman (67%) was back on the top power play. He is likely owned in your league, but has been bounced around the lineup quite a bit. So here is your notice.

Anthony Cirelli (34%) joined a reasonably productive unit in Tampa at the end of March. You may notice though that a very similar unit without Cirelli is represented a few lines down. So yes, Cirelli has gotten a few looks on the power-play, but as of his last game (4/6) it was only about 20 seconds. Last game also saw a few different looks, so it is hard to know exactly which line Cirelli was on at even strength, but it was not the top line. Cirelli had a brief hot streak with five points in three games (3/26 to 3/29) and three of those points came on the power play. He has no power-play points and only point in his last four games though with essentially no power-play time. He is highly rostered (comparatively), so in this bracketed of rostered percentage I would definitely take Stutzle well before Cirelli at this point.

Casey Mittelstadt (2%) is seeing time on the top unit with Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, and Tage Thompson. Particularly since about 3/23 his percent of the team's power play has risen. He has received over 50% of the team's time in seven of his last eight games. He also has nine points and 22 shots in his last nine games with three points coming on the power play. At two percent rostered he seems like a decent swing if you need one.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (28%) has eight points in his last ten games, but a lot of that comes from a four-point night on 4/3. He only had three points in the ten games prior, and only 11 shots. He hasn't been playing with that top line that has been so productive, and while he has been exposed to Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Matthew Barzal on the power-play it doesn't seem to be rubbing off that much. He provides value in terms of hits and faceoff wins, so if those categories are helpful he is probably worth a flier, but if not some of the others on this list are more likely to get points and shots.

Jakub Vrana's (24%) late return has certainly impacted his overall performance and his ownership. He has 12 points in the 15 games since he returned though, and makes this list as he has been getting some power-play time on the top unit. Unfortunately it does not appear to be carrying forward. His most recent game on record (4/6) has him with over three and a half minutes of power-play time which is great, but on a unit with Michael Rasmussen and Filip Zadina which is not. The lines are a little odd as it was in Canada, which meant no Tyler Bertuzzi. I am still reasonably interested as he is shooting and still getting about 50 percent of the power-play deployment, but the opportunity still bears watching as I am much more interested if he is spending power-play time with Dylan Larkin, Bertuzzi, and Lucas Raymond.

Joel Eriksson Ek (53%) is the highest rostered player we will spend any significant time talking about. He likely is highly owned because he started the year on Minnesota's top power-play, and does provide some peripheral value, but there was a significant chunk of the season where he was a bit of a fantasy anchor so if you have an active league he might have been dropped and be available. Well he might have been available. He has eight points in his last eight games, though it has been a bit of a feast or famine situation. As of 3/26 he was back on the top unit though and put up three straight power-play points. Points still might be a bit inconsistent, but with strong shot and hit numbers (if those matter to you) it is worth seeing if he happens to be available.

That is all for this week

Do your part to support organizations working to make hockey for everyone.

Black Girl Hockey Club

Hockey is For Everyone

Athletes for Hope

Premier Hockey Federation