Your fantasy hockey playoffs may have kicked-off already, so chances are you are pleased to have some of these players on your roster, or pissed that you don’t. Fret not, fantasy hockey owner, one player does not a championship make. Additionally, there is a possibility that one or two of these players may in fact be available in your league.

This is a list of the hottest players in the league right now. You won’t see Sidney Crosby on here (broken face) or even Chris Kunitz (back to being ordinary without Crosby). There is no Steven Stamkos, though he has been solid. Henrik Lundqvist might be the best goalie on the planet, but he hasn’t been the best goalie in the NHL lately.

This list includes the top players in the NHL right now. Of course it could look completely different a week from now as some players cool off and the playoff push gets more intense.

10.  Claude Giroux, C/RW, Philadelphia Flyers

It may be too little, too late for the ginger-haired Philly captain. The Flyers have been a colossal disappointment this year, but if you have Giroux on your fantasy roster, his efforts of late will certainly be appreciated. He is the king of the faceoffs in the NHL and has  a goal and seven assists in his last six games.

9.  Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton might not make the playoffs this year (technically they still can), but they have to be stoked about what Taylor Hall can do when he is healthy. The mercurial wing has had injuries the past two seasons, cutting short some impressive runs by their former first overall draft pick. Hall has been on fire lately, meshing well with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for 14 points in the last eight games

8.  Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings

Last year in the playoffs, Drew Doughty made up for a sub-par regular season with some excellent play in the Stanley Cup Final. This season, Doughty was off to another awful start before turning up his game lately. He is currently riding a three game goal-scoring streak and has played a major role in the Kings’ reversal of fortune this season after a dreadful start.

7. Ray Emery, G, Chicago Blackhawks

One of the biggest changes in Chicago’s fortunes this season has been the consistently great goaltending from Corey Crawford and his backup Emery. While Crawford was out with injury, Emery stepped in brilliantly, keeping the Hawks point streak alive. Emery’s numbers this season might be too small to warrant Vezina consideration but he has a 15-1-0 record with a 1.90 GAA, three shutouts and a .924 save percentage.  Two of those shutouts have been in Chicago’s last three games.

6. Dustin Brown, RW/LW, Los Angeles Kings

The “Lipstick City Wrecking Ball” as I so affectionately call him has stepped up his game lately, becoming more than just a one-dimensional hitting machine. The captain of the defending Stanley Cup champs has helped lift the Kings from contention to solid ground in the Western Conference playoff picture. Seven points in nine games comes with the typical 29 hits and solid two-way game.

5. Cory Schneider, G, Vancouver Canucks

So I hear there is a goaltending controversy in Vancouver?!?! Not likely after Schneider’s last three games (all wins). The current starter, Schneider has moved well ahead of Roberto Luongo as the best man for the job in Vancouver. Schneider has won nine of his last 11 starts, including four shutouts during that run. The Canucks have the luxury of a high-profile (and high dollar) backup with Luongo, but Schneider has erased any doubts about who the man in goal for Vancouver should be.

4. P.K Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens

I don’t put myself among the believers in Montreal’s magical season so far, but P.K. Subban is slowly making me feel like the Habs can actually do some damage once the playoffs begin. Montreal is lacking a superstar scorer, but their star-power is on the blue line with Subban and in goal with Carey Price. Subban has quietly taken over the lead in scoring among defensemen and like Price, is sure to garner some postseason award consideration.

3. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Washington Capitals

If you were patient enough to hold on to Backstrom all year, you are being rewarded by his production over the last ten games. The Capitals playoff push is not-so-coincidentally occurring while their Swedish playmaker has stepped up his performance. 11 points over his last five games (all assists) have the Capitals on top of the Southeast Division, controlling their destiny for the playoffs.

2.  Brian Elliott, G, St. Louis Blues

It looks like last year’s Brian Elliott showed up just in time to save the Blues’ playoffs chances. With starter Jaroslav Halak out for the remainder of the regular season, Elliott gets the nod, and the weight of St. Louis’ postseason hopes. Elliott has responded with four consecutive wins and back-to-back shutouts. There is not a hotter goalie in the league right now, and he happens to be available in 53% of all leagues!

1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW/RW, Washington Capitals

It looks like reports of Ovechkin’s premature demise have been grossly exaggerated. The Capital captain has put his squad on his capable Russian shoulders and led them back into relevance. The star winger has eight goals and a pair of assists in his last five games, moving into a tie for the NHL goal scoring lead with Steven Stamkos. Your patience with the “Great Eight” during his slow start is finally paying off.