Blue Line Buzz: Playoff Edition

It's playoff time!

As usual, the Blue Line Buzz is here with your fantasy primer for defensemen, and while it seems both logical and practical to simply use rankings based on production during the regular season, remember that if a player's team is eliminated, that player can no longer contribute to fantasy. In other words, while Erik Karlsson may be the best defenseman in the league this year, the Ottawa Senators aren't likely to win the Stanley Cup, which means a lesser defenseman, such as Kevin Shattenkirk on the Presidents Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, potentially has far more value.

So, without further ado, here's the 2017 Blue Line Buzz playoff fantasy primer. Players are ranked in order but grouped by team, and the teams are further ranked by their regular season finish.

Washington Capitals: John Carlson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Matt Niskanen

Niskanen has arguably been the Caps' best defenseman this season, but his defensive responsibilities increase in the playoffs, which means the puck-moving duties will fall to Carlson, who scored 12 points in 12 playoff games last year. The minor wrinkle this year is the addition of Shattenkirk, who is also a proven playoff performer with 28 points in 47 games, but is only a threat on the power play, and there will be fewer opportunities in the playoffs when the refs put their whistles away. The Caps' Cup odds are always good, but…again, it's hard to ignore the fact that the've never advanced past the second round in the Alex Ovechkin era.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Justin Schultz, Mark Streit

After scoring eight points in 18 games during the season with the Pens last year, Schultz struggled in the playoffs, registering just four assists in 15 games and only finished ahead of Ian Cole in scoring among defensemen. With no Kris Letang, Schultz has to step up and be the man this time, but his past track record and uneven performance to finish the season doesn't breed a lot of confidence. Streit is a distant second option but will be called upon if Schultz struggles. Olli Maatta and Brian Dumoulin could become key contributors like last year, but their underwhelming regular seasons don't make a compelling argument for a strong playoff performance. The key point, though, is that the Pens may make the Stanley Cup Final again this year, which means an average Schultz is still perhaps a better fantasy playoff option than, say, an on-fire Roman Josi.

Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook

Between the league's top three teams, the Blackhawks seem to have the easiest path to the Stanley Cup Final. None of their Central Division peers are in the same class, and the Pacific Division hasn't been nearly as tough all season. Given their championship pedigree, it's highly advisable for all playoff fantasy teams to pick at least one Blackhawk defenseman, and there's no debate it should be Keith, who has 80 points in 122 career playoff games. In fact, Keith is the No. 1 fantasy defenseman for all playoff pools.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Seth Jones, Zach Werenski

Werenski collected most of his points on the power play this season and Jones struggled down the stretch, so if the Jackets win the series, it's because Sergei Bobrovsky stood on his head. The Jackets will try and go head-to-head against the Pens, but they don't have a single player in the same tier as Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, and without last change on home ice it'll be even tougher for John Tortorella to get the matchups he wants. The Jackets had a brilliant season, but they're in line for a first-round exit. Avoid their defensemen, if you can.

Minnesota Wild: Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, Ryan Suter

The Wild were the on the verge of panic when things went totally off the rails in March, but managed to string together four wins to end the season and enter the playoffs with a bit of confidence. Suter is the No. 1 guy, but he doesn't produce offensively like one, which means Spurgeon and Dumba are smarter picks. However, even if the Wild defeat the Blues, the vaunted Blackhawks will likely await, and assuming both series go all the way, that's still only six or seven points each for Spurgeon and Dumba based on their regular season output.

Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Montour/Shea Theodore

Fowler (knee) is likely out for the entire first round, and perhaps even the second round, which makes it difficult to decide on any Ducks defenseman even though they're a good candidate to reach the Western Conference Final. Vatanen and Lindholm are very similar statistically, but Vatanen gets more power play time so he gets the edge if it's a choice between the two. The intrigue lies in Montour, who has been an offensive dynamo in the AHL and can really shoot the puck, and Theodore, a smooth skater who should be ready for a full-time job after spending two years shuttling between Anaheim and San Diego.

Montreal Canadiens: Shea Weber, Andrei Markov

Markov's been brilliant this season when healthy, and Weber's had his fair share of fine performances in big games. Weber is the preferred option with his big point shot, but also don't forget Nathan Beaulieu or Jeff Petry, two guys who can also pitch in on the offensive end. Assuming the favored Habs beat the Rangers, they have an easier path to the Cup than their Metro Division peers, which makes Weber and Markov even more valuable. The Habs, mainly on the back of Carey Price, of course, have a good chance of reaching the Eastern Conference Final, which means plenty of games and plenty of chances to score more fantasy points.

Edmonton Oilers: Oscar Klefbom

The real gem is Klefbom, who won't be the best defenseman on the ice at any point in the series but plays on the better team, and therefore has a better chance to advance to the next round and play more games. The Oilers represent the great unknown with their first playoff appearance in a decade, but should be able to send the Sharks packing. The scariest thing is that this is McDavid's first full season (he broke his collarbone last year) and we still don't quite know what he's capable of, so is a long playoff run in the cards? Time will tell.

New York Rangers: Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei

McDonagh is tried, tested, and true, and therefore a must-pick for those who think the Rangers can beat the Habs. Although separated by just one point, the Rangers stumbled into the playoffs, and face an excellent goalie in Price. Skjei is the only other Rangers defenseman of note, finishing just three points behind McDonagh, but lacks the experience of his team captain.

St. Louis Blues: Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko

No Shattenkirk means Pietrangelo is the only elite fantasy option on the Blues, with Parayko close behind as an able sidekick. However, much like the Wild, the Blues' playoff hopes will likely run into a wall in Round 2 when they face the Blackhawks. That puts a cap on Pietrangelo's production, even though he is the highest scoring defenseman in the series. The Central Division bracket is the most predictable, so the sensible conclusion is that picking anybody other than a Blackhawks defenseman is a fool's errand.

San Jose Sharks: Brent Burns

Logan Couture and Joe Thornton are both banged up, the Sharks haven't looked great at any point this season, and No. 2 defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has 26 points in 108 career playoff games. Combined with a lengthy season last year, all signs point toward an early playoff exit, which means that even in all of Burns' greatness, it'll last — at most — ust seven games. Would I pick someone like Seabrook over Burns in a month-long playoff pool because of that? Probably.

Ottawa Senators: Erik Karlsson

Karlsson is the only Senator worth mentioning, though it's hard to see them advance past the second round, which certainly handicaps his value. There's some intrigue with Dion Phaneuf, who has always been able to step up in big games but has never advanced past the first round of the playoffs and last played in a playoff game in 2013. The Bruins will try to hound Karlsson and prevent him from making plays, and ideally, it will open up some space for Phaneuf to operate, but it's probably better to just stick with Karlsson. Cody Ceci is also an intriguing young player, but hasn't produced enough to be worth taking a chance on.

Boston Bruins: Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo

No defenseman on the Bruins is worth taking in playoff pools this year because their situation is dicey for three reasons: 1) the Senators are sneaky-good and are poised to upset the B's, 2) Krug is likely out for Game 1 and has no return date set, and 3) Carlo is out for Game 1 and perhaps more. That leaves the aging Zdeno Chara but also the newly signed Charlie McAvoy, whose sublime playmaking ability is only discounted because he's yet to play a single NHL game.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly

Rielly is the more indispensable defenseman, but Gardiner's the one with all the offense. However, the case for Rielly is that he's been excellent in high-stakes games, and his performance at the World Cup is especially noteworthy. But, of course, does anyone really think the Leafs will make it past Round 1? It'd be an accomplishment if they don't get swept.

Calgary Flames: Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, T.J. Brodie

Giordano and Hamilton have been excellent all season, but don't sleep on Brodie, who has improved vastly with Michael Stone by his side. Despite their talented and productive blue line, there are two problems that may prevent them from winning Round 1: the Ducks' defense is still very deep without Fowler, and the Flames haven't won in Anaheim since January of 2004. Resist the urge to take Giordano and Hamilton, though they're still a much better option than any Leaf or Bruin.

Nashville Predators: Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis

Look, everyone loves the Predators and their yellow buckets and how they've sold out every game this season, but they're facing a team that has won the Cup three times already this decade. Josi, Subban and Ellis may put in the best performance of their lives and still might lose to the Blackhawks in convincing fashion. Perhaps in another year, Smashville.

Studs of the Week:

Oscar Klefbom, Oilers – Klefbom pitched in seven assists over the Oilers' final four games of the season, including a four-assist effort against first-round opponent San Jose. With 38 points this season, he's solidified himself as the team's top defenseman (or at least until Darnell Nurse gets there), but the 23-year-old has improved vastly over the past two seasons. The Oilers may not have won the division title, but Klefbom has been instrumental all year.

Alex Pietrangelo, Blues – He did not play in the season finale against Colorado, but had a four-game point streak going and played over 27 minutes in two of his final five games. Just when the Blues looked vulnerable, their captain pulled everyone together and righted the ship. He didn't have a career season, but did score a career-high 14 goals, putting some of the offensive burden on his shoulders after the team failed to adequately replace David Backes and Troy Brouwer.

Nick Leddy, Islanders – The Islanders' bid for a playoff spot fell short, but Leddy finished the season on a strong note, registering four assists in his final three games, finishing with a career-high 46 points. The 26-year-old is entering his prime and welcomed the challenge to be the team's No. 1 defenseman, stepping up his play when the team finally realized they can't count on John Tavares to do everything.

Victor Hedman, Lightning – With a goal and four assists in his final three games of the season, Hedman set a career high with 72 points, becoming only the fourth Swedish defenseman to record more than 70 points in a season in the modern era, joining Erik Karlsson, Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming. That's excellent company, and Hedman has solidified himself as an elite all-round defenseman who should get some Norris Trophy consideration.

Jake Dotchin, Lightning – The knock against the Lightning was that their defensive depth wasn't quite on the same level as their forward depth, but with four assists in his final five games, Dotchin has emerged as a potential top-four defenseman who can play in all situations. A sixth-round pick in 2012, Dotchin took a while to make the NHL, but after getting called up for 35 games this season, his AHL career is most likely in the rear-view mirror. He played over 20 minutes in two of his final four games and along with Slater Koekkoek should help take some pressure off Hedman and Anton Stralman next season.

Duds of the Week:

P.K. Subban, Predators – He hasn't been a rip-roaring success with Nashville, but it's a little worrisome that he was minus-5 in his final four games, three of which were losses. Subban's swashbuckling style works most of the time, but against an experienced and talented squad like Chicago, he may want to keep his play under control. He needs to perform well if they want to have a chance at winning the series.

Jake Muzzin, Kings – He failed to register a single point and finished with a minus-3 rating this past week, and in fact ended the season with a five-game point drought. He didn't make many major mistakes but he also didn't step up his play when the Kings were fighting for a playoff spot, and once again they relied too much on Drew Doughty to do all the heavy lifting.

Seth Jones, Blue Jackets – He finished the season with a minus-9 rating over the final stretch of the season, and it won't get any easier with a first-round matchup against the Penguins. Jones and defensive partner Zach Werenski will have to face one of Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, and they can't afford to play like they did during Columbus' six-game losing streak. The playoffs are like a brand new season, but Jones also failed to generate much momentum going in.

Troy Stecher, Canucks – He had an excellent season as a rookie on a bad team, averaging close to 20 minutes per game and scoring 24 points. But, during the Canucks' eight-game losing streak it became apparent how much stronger and tougher Stecher needed to be in order to stay in the league, especially after being dominated by Milan Lucic on a one-on-one play. As the team's top power-play quarterback, he failed to generate much offense down the stretch.

Dmitry Kulikov, Sabres – Despite playing over 20 minutes per game, Kulikov failed to make much of an impact in his final six games of the season, finishing with a minus-7 rating and a season to forget. Brought in to provide veteran leadership and some experience, Kulikov's stint with the Sabres has been a disaster so far – bad enough for the Sabres to consider letting the unrestricted free agent walk.