Anthony Mantha Powers Up: 27 Goals, 60-Point Pace in 2026

Anthony Mantha is having the best season of his career, and fantasy hockey managers are taking notice. The 31-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins winger scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on March 28, 2026, extending one of the hottest offensive stretches of his 11-year NHL career. With 27 goals and 54 points through 73 games, Mantha is on the cusp of reaching 60 points for the first time — a milestone that has both hockey fans and fantasy players paying close attention.

Mantha's Power-Play Goal Against Dallas: What Happened

In Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Stars, Mantha wasted no time making his presence felt. He broke the ice less than two and a half minutes into regulation, converting on the power play to give the Penguins an early lead. Despite Pittsburgh ultimately falling 6-3, Mantha's performance stood out as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing result. He also logged two penalty minutes (PIM) in the contest, showing the physical edge that has always been part of his game.

According to CBS Sports, the goal continued a remarkable offensive run for the veteran winger, who has cemented himself as one of the more productive players on Pittsburgh's top line down the stretch of the 2025-26 season.

A Career Year: Mantha's 2025-26 Season Stats

The numbers don't lie — Mantha is putting together the most complete offensive season of his career. Here's a look at his stat line through 73 games:

Goals: 27
Points: 54
Shots on Net: 134
Hits: 49
Blocked Shots: 35

Those are well-rounded numbers that speak to more than just scoring. The 134 shots on net reflect a player who is shooting with confidence and frequency, while the 49 hits and 35 blocked shots underscore his two-way commitment. For a winger primarily known for his offensive upside, the defensive contributions make him all the more valuable — both to the Penguins and to fantasy hockey rosters.

Most notably, Mantha is on pace to surpass 60 points for the first time in his NHL career. In an 11-year tenure that has included flashes of brilliance alongside injury-marred campaigns, this season represents a genuine breakthrough in terms of sustained production.

Six Goals in 11 Games: Mantha's Recent Hot Streak

What's driving the fantasy hockey buzz isn't just the season-long totals — it's the recent surge. Over his last 11 games, Mantha has recorded six goals and nine points, a pace that puts him among the most productive wingers in the league during that stretch.

Hot streaks like this are the kind of thing that can change a fantasy season. Whether you're fighting for a playoff spot or trying to lock up a category in your league, a player suddenly producing at nearly a point-per-game rate over more than a week of action is impossible to ignore. Mantha's combination of goal-scoring, physical play, and power-play involvement checks multiple boxes for fantasy managers across all formats.

Fantasy Insight: Over his last 11 games, Mantha has averaged nearly a point per game — a pace that few wingers in the league can match right now.

Fantasy Hockey Impact: Why Mantha Is a Must-Add

If you're playing fantasy hockey and Mantha is sitting on your waiver wire, now is the time to act. According to fantasy hockey waiver wire analysis for Week 23 of 2026, Mantha is considered a solid pickup in nearly all fantasy formats.

Here's why he makes sense as a waiver-wire addition right now:

Top-line ice time: Skating on the Penguins' first line gives Mantha consistent minutes and opportunities in all situations.
Power-play presence: His power-play goal on Saturday is part of a pattern — Mantha is a regular on Pittsburgh's man-advantage unit, boosting his point ceiling significantly.
Shot volume: With 134 shots on net, he's generating scoring chances at a high rate, giving him strong value in shot-based categories.
Multi-category contributions: Goals, assists, shots, hits, and blocks — Mantha contributes across the board in category leagues.
Momentum: Six goals and nine points over 11 games suggests he's in a groove, not a fluke.

For managers in deeper leagues or those streaming players week to week, Mantha offers a compelling combination of upside and consistency that is rare at this stage of the season.

Mantha's Career Arc: From Prospect to Late-Career Breakout

Drafted 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2013, Anthony Mantha was always considered a premium offensive talent. Standing 6-foot-5 with a powerful shot and elite hands, he was viewed as a future top-six winger with 30-goal potential. Early in his career with Detroit, he showed those flashes — putting up 25 goals in 2018-19 and 22 goals in 2020-21 before a trade to the Washington Capitals.

His time in Washington was marked by inconsistency and injuries, never quite living up to the high expectations that accompanied him from Detroit. A subsequent move to the Pittsburgh Penguins offered a fresh start, and in 2025-26, that fresh start has blossomed into the best season of his professional life.

At 31 years old, Mantha's breakout is a reminder that career years can come late — especially when a player finds the right system, linemates, and opportunity. Pittsburgh's offensive structure has clearly unlocked something in him, and the results speak for themselves.

Pittsburgh Penguins: A Challenging Season Despite Individual Bright Spots

It's worth noting the broader context of Saturday's loss to Dallas. The 6-3 defeat is representative of a Penguins season that has had its share of struggles. Pittsburgh has been navigating a transitional period, and while individual performances like Mantha's have been encouraging, the team results haven't always followed.

Still, Mantha's production on a team that has faced adversity this season makes his numbers even more impressive. Putting up 27 goals and 54 points without the benefit of a dominant team performance around him speaks to his individual quality and the trust the Penguins have placed in him at the top of their lineup.

As the season winds down, all eyes will be on whether Mantha can close out those remaining games to push past the 60-point threshold — a career milestone that would cement this campaign as his defining professional season.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Mantha

How many points does Anthony Mantha have this season?

Through 73 games in the 2025-26 NHL season, Anthony Mantha has 27 goals and 54 points. He is on pace to surpass 60 points for the first time in his career.

Is Anthony Mantha worth picking up in fantasy hockey?

Yes. Mantha is currently considered a strong waiver-wire pickup in nearly all fantasy formats. He's skating on the Penguins' top line, sees power-play time, and has recorded six goals and nine points over his last 11 games. His multi-category contributions (goals, shots, hits, blocks) add value in category leagues.

What did Anthony Mantha do in the March 28, 2026 game against Dallas?

Mantha scored a power-play goal less than two and a half minutes into the game, giving Pittsburgh an early lead. He also logged two penalty minutes. The Penguins ultimately lost the game 6-3.

Has Anthony Mantha ever scored 60 points in a season before?

No. Entering the 2025-26 season, Mantha had never recorded 60 points in a single NHL campaign. With 54 points through 73 games, he is on track to reach that milestone for the first time in his 11-year career.

What team does Anthony Mantha play for?

Anthony Mantha currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he skates on the team's top line as a winger.

Conclusion: Mantha's Moment Is Now

Anthony Mantha's power-play goal on March 28 against Dallas is just the latest chapter in what has become a career-defining season. At 31 years old, the Pittsburgh Penguins winger is producing at a level he has never sustained before — 27 goals, 54 points, and a genuine shot at crossing the 60-point mark for the first time in 11 professional seasons.

For fantasy hockey managers, the message is clear: if Mantha is available in your league, he deserves a roster spot. His combination of top-line deployment, power-play involvement, shot volume, and red-hot recent form make him one of the best under-the-radar pickups of the final stretch of the 2025-26 season.

As reported by CBS Sports and highlighted in Week 23 fantasy waiver wire analysis, Mantha's breakout isn't just a hot streak — it's the culmination of a player finally realizing the potential that made him a first-round pick over a decade ago. Watch this space as he chases history in the final games of the regular season.