This is my week eighteen fantasy hockey report for those competing in
head to head categories or rotisserie leagues. There are both standard and deep
league acquisition targets. This is more of a “waiver wire” report, looking for
those who are more likely to be available in your league as opposed to the
universally owned players. I also do not recommend any players who play 2 games
or less over the next 7 days (Monday to Sunday), with a preference for those
with 4 or more games.
Best Standard League Adds (20% to 60% Yahoo ownership):
1) MacKenzie Blackwood, NJ, (40% Yahoo ownership): After a disappointing
start to the season, this young goalie is beginning to round into form, posting
shutouts in back to back games. Over his past 5 GP, Blackwood has posted a 1.95
GAA and .945 SV%, playing on a team that should be tanking. The Devils play 4 games
this week, so if he’s sitting on your waiver wire, so it’s a good time to try
him out as a streamer. He was on my sleeper list heading into the season then
stumbled out of the gate.
2) Colton Parayko, Stl, (40% Yahoo ownership): Parayko missed a
few weeks with an injury (including the All-Star/bye breaks) and went pointless
for his first 4 games back before breaking out with 5 PTS in his last 3 GP.
Parayko also has good peripheral stats, getting hits, blocks, and averaging 3
shots per game since his return. The Blues play 4 games this week and I’m putting
in a waiver claim of my own to add him.
3) Blake Coleman, NJ, (58% Yahoo ownership): Coleman being owned
in 58% Yahoo leagues tells me that at least 50% of Yahoo leagues count hits and shots.
Coleman is less useful in PTS only leagues, but this is one of those weeks you
might want to try streaming him in. Over his last 11 GP, Coleman has scored 9
PTS with 50 shots, and 24 hits. He has also been moved to the top power play in
New Jersey, increasing his long-term appeal. Blake entered my own fantasy roster
as a streamer over a month ago and he’s been too valuable to drop.
4) Ilya Kovalchuk, Mtl, (36% Yahoo ownership): The entire
Montreal second line of Kovalchuk-Suzuki-Armia was nominated for my recommended
streamer list this week, with the Habs playing a very streaming friendly
schedule with 4 games, including Mon-Wed-Fri when it will be easy to fit them
into your line-up. Kovalchuk is still the best option on that line, with dual
wing eligibility and 9 PTS in his last 12 GP. If you need some extra hits this
week, you may want to choose Armia.
5) Andre Burakovsky, Col, (48% Yahoo ownership): Normally I would
only be recommending Burakovsky if he were promoted to the top line with
MacKinnon, but he has been on fire playing with Kadri on the second line, scoring
13 PTS in his last 9 GP. Yes, that production is not sustainable and the Avs only
play 3 games this week, but 2 of those are against Ottawa and LA, so there will
be a good opportunity for some big nights.
Last Week: Zach Hyman, Zach Parise, Jaroslav Halak, Adam Fox, Frank Vatrano
Best Deep League Adds (under 20% ownership):
1) Pavel Buchnevich, NYR, (19% Yahoo ownership): If you took my
advice and added Buchnevich last week, you are encouraged to let it ride for at
least 7 days more. He’s still playing on the Rangers top line with Zibanejad
and Kreider, scoring 5 PTS in his last 5 GP. The longer that deployment lasts,
the more appealing he is as a long-term hold. At the very least there is still
short-term streaming appeal.
2) Zach Sanford, Stl, (9% Yahoo ownership): Sanford has been
getting great deployment on the Blues second line with O’Reilly and Perron,
scoring 11 PTS in his last 11 GP. He adds extra value in leagues that count
hits, with 31 of them in the last 11 games. Make sure you’ll be able to fit him
into your roster before adding him as a streamer because the Blues play 3 of
their 4 games on Tue-Thu-Sat, which will be very busy nights.
3) Damon Severson, NJ, (12% Yahoo ownership): I’m not sure if
Severson made a New Year’s resolution to increase his production, but it’s been
a successful year for him this far, scoring 10 PTS in 15 GP. Being on the top
power play in New Jersey certainly helps. Damon is currently riding a 6-game
point streak and the Devils play 4 games this week. He’s currently available in
88% of leagues, so if you need a streamer on defense, he’s a good bet to be on
your waiver wire.
4) Juuse Saros, Nsh, (10% Yahoo ownership): The Nashville Predators
are desperately fighting to stay in the playoff race, and Pekka Rinne is once
again struggling. Saros has started the last 3 games for Nashville, and has
posted a 2.35 GAA and .929 SV% over the last 30 days. The Preds play 4 games
this week, and Saros is virtually guaranteed to start at least 2 of them,
looking good as a deep league streamer.
5) Jesper Bratt, NJ, (1% Yahoo ownership): Here’s a streamer for
those really deep leagues. Bratt has been playing on the Devils top line with
Hughes and Palmieri, scoring 6 PTS in his last 6 GP. His ownership is too low
for this deployment. The Devils start their week Tue-Thu against Florida and
Detroit, two of the worst defensive teams in the league. Those will be busy
nights, but if you have room to squeeze Bratt into your line-up, there could be
a big reward.
Last Week: Pavel Buchnevich, Jared Spurgeon, Alex Iafallo, Jesper Fast, Brian
Elliot
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