Injuries to key players can sometimes be mitigated by grabbing players who are in supporting roles but now need to step up. These players can fill the void left by injuries, but timing is everything. If these injuries happen earlier in the season, there is still hope for a recovery and a strong finish. However, when they hit in the second half, things get dicey. If the injuries happen right before or during your playoff push, well, that is when you find yourself in serious trouble. Here are the top 10 injured players who likely affected your fantasy playoff aspirations and hopes for a championship.

10. Mathew Barzal – New York Islanders

Mathew Barzal may not be as impactful as others on this list, mainly due to the Islanders’ inconsistent offense, but his absence still matters. Losing a player of his caliber affects both the team's success and fantasy managers trying to replace his production. Barzal has been on injured reserve since early February and will miss the rest of the season, finishing with 20 points in 30 games. While not earth-shattering numbers, his ability to drive play was crucial for the Islanders. For fantasy managers, his loss is another frustrating midseason setback, forcing them to search for secondary scoring options to fill the void.

9. Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals

I toyed with the idea of including a few other players over Ovechkin, but when you look at how he has been playing this season, it is hard to ignore. He's putting up over a point per game (35 goals, 24 assists) and is on track for a 90-point season. Before his injury, he was absolutely lighting it up, and while it was just a month-long absence (literally 30 days), that stretch could have been enough to change the course of your fantasy standings, depending on your league settings and how many teams are in it. His impact on your roster before going down was undeniable.

8. Shea Theodore – Vegas Golden Knights

Shea Theodore's absence has been a significant blow to fantasy hockey. His injury sustained early in the 4 Nations Tournament left Team Canada fans, Vegas fans, and fantasy managers holding their collective breath. Theodore is a key driver of Vegas' transition game and power play, providing an offensive spark from the back end. His injury created a major void in points leagues, as he is a reliable source of assists and power-play production. He was having a phenomenal year with 48 points in 55 games, pacing for 72 points. It is not easy to draft multiple defensemen capable of posting 70-point seasons.

7. Sean Monahan – Columbus Blue Jackets

If you have held onto Sean Monahan through his injury, there is some good news, he is back. Monahan is practicing fully and is set to return on Monday. Columbus has struggled offensively, and his presence could provide a much-needed spark. He has been out since early January with a wrist injury but was having a stellar first season with the Blue Jackets, posting 41 points in 41 games. He was on a point-per-game pace, helping fuel Columbus' surprising run. If he picks up where he left off, he could give both the team and fantasy rosters a late-season boost, hopefully, just in time.

6. Roman Josi – Nashville Predators

Roman Josi's absence due to an upper-body injury is a significant setback for fantasy managers, especially with the playoffs approaching. While Shea Theodore's injury had a considerable impact, Josi's absence is even more damaging. As one of the NHL's premier offensive defensemen, Josi contributes across all categories, elite point production, power-play success and solid block totals in multi-category leagues. His injury has left a major void in fantasy lineups, forcing managers to scramble for replacements. Losing Josi in fantasy playoffs is a devastating blow, particularly in head-to-head formats where every category counts. Finding a high-usage defenseman on waivers is nearly impossible.

5. Dougie Hamilton – New Jersey Devils

Hamilton has been out of the lineup since March 4th and was soon ruled out for the rest of the season. He was fairly steady for the Devils’ blueline this year, though his power-play production has dropped off in comparison to previous seasons. The concern going forward is that Luke Hughes has shown he can step in and take the reins, not just once (last year), but twice now. Hughes is starting to show he can be just as productive. Nonetheless, Dougie will still be missed, hopefully, you grabbed Hughes before anyone else did.

4. Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk's season-ending groin injury, sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off, is a major blow for fantasy managers. Before the injury, he posted 22 goals and 35 assists (57 points) in 52 games, ranking second on the Panthers in scoring. His offensive consistency, power-play contributions, and physical style made him a fantasy asset. With Tkachuk out, managers should monitor the Panthers’ line changes. Other players may step into bigger roles, offering potential value, though not to Tkachuk's level. The best move would have been grabbing Mackie Samoskevich, who has filled in nicely on the second line and top power-play.

3 Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have been hit hard by injuries this season, yet they remain in the playoff race, despite losing their franchise player, Kirill “The Thrill” Kaprizov, to surgery on January 27th. Kaprizov was having an outstanding year with 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points in 37 games. He was on a 1.41 point-per-game pace and was a serious contender for the Hart Trophy. His absence has certainly impacted the Wild, but the team's resilience in staying competitive is a testament to their depth and commitment, even without their star player leading the charge.

2. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils’ star forward Jack Hughes suffered a season-ending shoulder injury just weeks before fantasy hockey playoffs. Hughes' talent is elite, he leads the Devils with 27 goals and at the time was tied for first with 70 points in 62 games. Replacing his consistent production is no easy task, and for fantasy managers, his absence is a major blow, especially with playoffs lurking (at that time) and Hughes likely being a cornerstone player on your roster. This marks the second consecutive season he has been sidelined by a shoulder injury, raising concerns about his durability moving forward.

1. Connor McDavid / Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers

This one really hurts, especially if you were relying on McDavid or Draisaitl to push you over the top. Both are projected to be out for a week, meaning your upcoming matchup (if you made it this far) will likely be without them. Dropping them is not an option, as you risk another manager snatching them off waivers, and there's always the chance they return sooner than expected. McDavid already missed a couple of weeks with an LBI earlier in the season, and now this. Draisaitl's injury is undisclosed, but both players are listed as day-to-day, confirmed out for a week. All I can say is, good luck, though your opponent must be thrilled.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey