Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make for Round 1 of playoffs

Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Round 1 of the playoffs, although that may not apply to all leagues. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.

Add Chandler Stephenson

Team: Golden Knights
Position: C/LW
Rostered: 13%

Stephenson plays on Vegas' top line between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. He's also on the team's No. 1 power-play unit with Pacioretty, Stone, Shea Theodore, and Jonathan Marchessault. That's some enviable real estate.

The Golden Knights also have a favorable schedule this week. They play four games - two against the Los Angeles Kings and two against the Anaheim Ducks.

Add Alex Galchenyuk Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty

Team: Maple Leafs
Position: C/LW
Rostered: 5%

Toronto shuffled its forward lines with William Nylander in COVID-19 protocol, and Galchenyuk is now playing on the team's top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Galchenyuk has a modest six points in 11 games since joining the Maple Leafs, but he played a season-high 17:37 Saturday and picked up two assists in his first contest on the top line. Toronto plays four times this week, too.

Add Craig Smith

Team: Bruins
Position: RW
Rostered: 13%

Smith is the biggest beneficiary of The Perfection Line splitting up, as he now gets to play alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand at five-on-five. The 31-year-old has been red-hot lately, registering 12 points in his last 13 games and 10 in his last seven contests.

The Bruins play four times this week, but they're off Tuesday and Saturday - two of the busiest nights. This allows for maximum lineup optimization.

Add Jeremy Swayman Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Team: Bruins
Position: G
Rostered: 15%

Anyone needing help between the pipes can turn to Swayman. With Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak battling injuries, the 22-year-old has stepped in and performed admirably, posting a .929 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average in three straight games.

Fellow youngster Dan Vladar is starting in goal Sunday, so unless he plays lights out, Swayman will likely see a favorable matchup Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. As long as Rask and Halak remain sidelined, Swayman should start at least two games this week.

Add Ryan Graves

Team: Avalanche
Position: D
Rostered: 36%

Quality blue-liners can be difficult to find this late in the fantasy season, but Graves is still available in most leagues. He's excellent at filling categories such as shots, hits, and blocks. The 25-year-old isn't a huge point producer, but with four games this week, while playing alongside Cale Makar at five-on-five, there's potential for him to chip in with a few assists.

Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.

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