In this week's Eastern Edge, we'll discuss a few players to watch in round two of the 2021-2022 playoffs.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Although he went up against a high-powered offense in round one, I don't think anyone expected Vasilevskiy to hold a 3.04 GAA and .897 save percentage after his first seven starts of the 2021-2022 playoffs. Sure, he elevated his play late in the series when Tampa was facing elimination, but he didn't seem to be at his best for the most part. Vasilevskiy looked like an impenetrable wall during Tampa's championship runs these last two years, but he didn't have that same aura to him in round one. I wonder whether he's experiencing fatigue, having started more games than any other goaltender over the past three seasons (157 regular season starts + 55 playoff starts). Deep playoff runs mean shorter offseasons, and less time to recover from the rigours of a strenuous NHL campaign. If Vasilevskiy is hindered by fatigue right now, perhaps the Lightning decide to give him more rest during the regular season next year, in order to keep him fresher for future postseason action. If that turns out to be the case, Vasilevskiy could lose value in fantasy league that track save totals and reward high-volume starters. That's why it'll be important to monitor his play during round two against the Panthers – another offensive juggernaut. The fatigue storyline could gain or lose momentum depending on Vasilevskiy's performance in round two.

Given the unpredictable nature of goaltending in fantasy hockey formats, it's usually hard to justify using a top pick on a netminder. There are always a few solid goaltenders available in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts, so I'd say you're better off using top picks on elite skaters, who tend to be more reliable. As has been the case for a few years now, Vasilevskiy was the first goalie selected in virtually every fantasy league this season. He came through with a league-leading 39 wins, but quite a few netminders outdid his 2.49 GAA and .916 save percentage. Since his regular season numbers weren't outstanding, I think Vasilevskiy's fantasy value could take a small hit if his underwhelming play carries into round two. In that scenario, he may fall a few spots during next year's fantasy drafts – in which case it might make sense to snag him at a discounted price. Of course, it's also possible that Vasilevskiy's lengthy track record of excellence trumps this underwhelming postseason performance, and he remains a first round pick next year. If that's the case, I'd prefer to let someone else pay top dollar for Vasilevskiy.

Vincent Trocheck

After posting an impressive 75-point pace during the 2020-2021 regular season, Trocheck took a step back this past season, pacing for 52 points. A lack of power-play production seems to explain the decrease in his overall output. After posting 18 points with the man advantage through 47 games last year (0.38 PPP/G), he had just 12 power-play points through 81 appearances this year (0.15 PPP/G). That drop is not explained by a reduced role as Trocheck enjoyed a 64-percent share of the team's total time with the man advantage both this year and last year. Although he's coming off a disappointing regular season, Trocheck has had a strong start to the playoffs, posting seven points through seven games in round one. Interestingly enough, three of those points came with the man advantage. The 28-year-old center is an unrestricted free agent after this season and will need a new contract for next year. A strong playoff performance could very well influence the value and destination of his next deal.

Andrew Copp

After the Jets shipped him to New York at the trade deadline, Copp closed out the regular season with 18 points in 16 games as a Ranger. He's carried that momentum into the playoffs, posting four goals and three assists through seven outings against the Penguins. I think it's worth mentioning that the Rangers played most of that series against a third-string starter in Louis Domingue, who allowed more goals than you'd expect the average netminder to allow. Regardless, Copp has now scored above a point-per-game pace through 23 games with the Rangers. Sure, it's not a huge sample just yet, but there's reason to be optimistic about his fantasy outlook. He's certainly increasing his stock as he looks for a new contract next year. However, it's worth noting that Copp has spent most of his time in New York beside superstar Artemi Panarin, who has undoubtedly had a positive impact on his offensive output. If Copp ends up signing with a different team during the offseason, it'll be interesting to see if he can maintain this high level of production without exposure to a superstar. As you watch the Rangers in round two, keep an eye on Copp and see how much offense he's able to generate on his own.