5. Ajax Zappitello, Defense, Maryland Whipsnakes

Zappitello has shown his third overall pick potential in recent weeks. In his last two outings, Zappitello averaged 26.5 fantasy points, including a 31-point performance against the league's fourth-ranked offense in the Boston Cannons.

Maryland will face the Denver Outlaws in the Cash App Playoff quarterfinals on Monday. In their regular-season bout, Maryland’s defense held Denver’s offense to just nine goals and a 25.7% shooting percentage. Zappitello ended that game with 22 fantasy points.

At just 15 salary coins, Zappitello could be a great pick for your defender slot.

4. Josh Byrne, Attack, Carolina Chaos

Despite Carolina ranking last in scoring offense during the regular season, Byrne has been holding up his end of the bargain recently.

Over his last three games, Byrne averaged 40 fantasy points. Prior to that, Byrne had been averaging just 13 points over his previous two games.

With All-Star Carolina defenseman Jack Rowlett suspended for the quarterfinals, I anticipate a high-scoring game on both ends of the field. More possessions means more touches for Byrne, which will give him more opportunities to score. 

Byrne tallied 41 fantasy points against Boston in the regular-season finale despite his team scoring just 10 goals.  

3. Brendan Krebs, Goalie, Maryland Whipsnakes

I asked a question on X on Thursday morning: If you had to choose between Colin Kirst and Brendan Krebs for this weekend, which goalie would you take? Joe Keegan brought up a great point that Denver’s offense, which Krebs will face on Labor Day, puts 2.9 more shots on goal per game than Carolina does. 

Yes, while more shots on goal can mean more scores allowed, it also means the opportunity for more saves. Krebs has averaged 34.6 fantasy points over his last three outings, including a 26-point performance against the Outlaws. 

The defense in front of Krebs has been playing lights out since the All-Star break, and I see Maryland being a serious contender for the Cash App Championship.

2. Justin Anderson, Midfield, Denver Outlaws

How dominant has Anderson been in fantasy in the second half of the season? He finished with more than 30 fantasy points in each of his last four games. 

Anderson has been on a tear since the All-Star break, averaging 27.5 fantasy points over his last six games. What’s even more amazing about how well Anderson is playing is that he is third on his team in total points scored but doesn’t even rank in the top four in total touches on Denver’s offense. 

Even if his team isn’t winning, Anderson finds a way to produce. 

1. Asher Nolting, Attack, Boston Cannons

Nolting racked up 61 fantasy points in the regular-season finale against the Chaos, and that isn't even the biggest reason why I am so high on him this weekend. That reason: the matchup. 

Rowlett’s suspension for an illegal hit leaves a serious hole in the league's No. 1 defense. With the question of who will cover the second-best scorer in the league looming, this could be a matchup nightmare for Carolina.

I expect another extremely productive weekend from Nolting and the rest of Boston’s offense.