Week
5 of the NHL season here and I'm looking at potential
streaming targets. The award for best schedule goes to the St. Louis Blues, but
only because they’ll be facing San Jose and Edmonton, which have the potential
to be big wins. Anaheim does offer the most action on light nights, and they
also play Sunday of week 4, so you can potentially add some of these as a
Sunday streamer then hang on for the following week. The next best schedules
are the Islanders, Penguins, Golden Knights, Kraken, and Blue Jackets. I do use
Daily Faceoff for my line combos and they aren’t entirely reliable. Last week
they had Boulet and Jarnkrok on first lines in Tampa and Toronto. Then I
watched those teams play a few nights later and neither was on line one. That’s
the game we play here. Shit happens. Lines change.
My blog has been moved to Substack this season and I’ll be repeatedly encouraging everyone to sign-up for a free subscription to alleviate my dependence on Twitter for traffic. I’m concerned that Elon will follow through on his threat to charge everyone for Twitter and ostensibly destroy his own company. Subscribers receive an email notification each time a new post is published, and even if Twitter stays free, the algorithm likes to hide Tweets with links so you don’t leave. I have already started sending out bonus betting content exclusive to subscribers, and may start a Sunday Fantasy Thoughts. You just need to email me and tell me if you want bonus betting picks, bonus fantasy thoughts, or both.
Best Standard League Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Troy Terry, Ana, (62% Yahoo ownership): As mentioned in the intro, the best thing about Anaheim Ducks is that they play on Sunday, plus 4 games next week, 3 of those on light nights. That’s why Troy Terry was added to one of my teams as the Ducks winger plays both top line and top power play, scoring 10 PTS with 37 shots in his last 12 GP. His center Trevor Zegras is banged up, but it looks like Leo Carlsson will be filling that 1C slot, though might be really good. Meanwhile, Jaden Schwartz is on quite a heater in Seattle and is more widely available than Terry. Schwartz is on an 8-game points streak during which he’s popped 11 PTS, also firing 25 shots on goal. Two of their next 3 games are against Edmonton…
2) Pavel Mintyukov, Ana, (56% Yahoo ownership): The Anaheim Ducks have a busy week ahead, and once again many of their games fall on light nights. That gives their players added utility if you’re juggling a restrictive number of starting roster slots, and rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has an impressive 8 PTS in his last 12 GP with 20 shots and 23 hits. Their opponents aren’t particularly porous (except Nashville), but there aren’t really any quality options in this ownership range with leaky defenses upcoming. His teammate Cam Fowler does see more power play time and it more widely available. In his last 12 GP, Fowler has 7 PTS (4 on the power play) with 15 shots and 5 hits. Minty provides better peripherals.
3) John Gibson, Ana, (46% Yahoo ownership): John Gibson has a .921 SV% in his last 7 games, as the Anaheim Ducks recently enjoyed a 6-game winning streak that included beating Boston and Vegas. His back-up Lukas Dostal is seeing plenty of action as well, with a .920 SV% in his last 6 games, owned in slightly more leagues. The Ducks play 4 times, 3 on light nights, so that part makes them appealing, but I’d be really nervous starting either guy against Colorado. The other opponents are not as daunting offensively. For a better schedule, Semyon Varlamov in New York is widely available and has 2 shutouts in his last 3 games. He has a decent shot at 2 starts and Sorokin should draw the tougher opponents.
4) Mathew Barzal, NYI, (62% Yahoo ownership): The advantage to Barzal over Terry is dual-position eligibility, but a more restrictive schedule. The Isles play more on busy nights, but against more defensively porous opponents, so if you can fit him into your starting line-up, Barzal is probably the better choice. In last 12 GP, Mat has potted 9 PTS (4 on the power play) with 43 shots. If you want someone more widely available, Ryan Strome is only 30% owned, has a super flexible schedule, scoring 11 PTS in his last 11 GP. If you’re playing in a bangers league and want some hits, I’d be looking at Brayden Schenn in St. Louis (great schedule) and Ivan Barbashev in Vegas. Both play 4 times in the week ahead.
5) Reilly Smith, Pit, (58% Yahoo ownership): The Pittsburgh Penguins have a busy week ahead, and Reilly smith is rolling right along with 11 PTS in his last 11 GP, 3 of those coming on the power play. What makes Smith appealing is that he plays on the second line with Malkin (which is more of a 1B line) and on the top unit power play. He is eligible at both wings, but he does have weaker shooting numbers than some of the other options. His teammate Bryan Rust is available in slightly more leagues and does play with Sidney Crosby, just not on the first unit power play. Still, Rust has been plenty productive too, also scoring 11 PTS in his last 11 GP (none on the PP) with a more appealing 34 shots and a +8.
My blog has been moved to Substack this season and I’ll be repeatedly encouraging everyone to sign-up for a free subscription to alleviate my dependence on Twitter for traffic. I’m concerned that Elon will follow through on his threat to charge everyone for Twitter and ostensibly destroy his own company. Subscribers receive an email notification each time a new post is published, and even if Twitter stays free, the algorithm likes to hide Tweets with links so you don’t leave. I have already started sending out bonus betting content exclusive to subscribers, and may start a Sunday Fantasy Thoughts. You just need to email me and tell me if you want bonus betting picks, bonus fantasy thoughts, or both.
Best Standard League Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Troy Terry, Ana, (62% Yahoo ownership): As mentioned in the intro, the best thing about Anaheim Ducks is that they play on Sunday, plus 4 games next week, 3 of those on light nights. That’s why Troy Terry was added to one of my teams as the Ducks winger plays both top line and top power play, scoring 10 PTS with 37 shots in his last 12 GP. His center Trevor Zegras is banged up, but it looks like Leo Carlsson will be filling that 1C slot, though might be really good. Meanwhile, Jaden Schwartz is on quite a heater in Seattle and is more widely available than Terry. Schwartz is on an 8-game points streak during which he’s popped 11 PTS, also firing 25 shots on goal. Two of their next 3 games are against Edmonton…
2) Pavel Mintyukov, Ana, (56% Yahoo ownership): The Anaheim Ducks have a busy week ahead, and once again many of their games fall on light nights. That gives their players added utility if you’re juggling a restrictive number of starting roster slots, and rookie defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has an impressive 8 PTS in his last 12 GP with 20 shots and 23 hits. Their opponents aren’t particularly porous (except Nashville), but there aren’t really any quality options in this ownership range with leaky defenses upcoming. His teammate Cam Fowler does see more power play time and it more widely available. In his last 12 GP, Fowler has 7 PTS (4 on the power play) with 15 shots and 5 hits. Minty provides better peripherals.
3) John Gibson, Ana, (46% Yahoo ownership): John Gibson has a .921 SV% in his last 7 games, as the Anaheim Ducks recently enjoyed a 6-game winning streak that included beating Boston and Vegas. His back-up Lukas Dostal is seeing plenty of action as well, with a .920 SV% in his last 6 games, owned in slightly more leagues. The Ducks play 4 times, 3 on light nights, so that part makes them appealing, but I’d be really nervous starting either guy against Colorado. The other opponents are not as daunting offensively. For a better schedule, Semyon Varlamov in New York is widely available and has 2 shutouts in his last 3 games. He has a decent shot at 2 starts and Sorokin should draw the tougher opponents.
4) Mathew Barzal, NYI, (62% Yahoo ownership): The advantage to Barzal over Terry is dual-position eligibility, but a more restrictive schedule. The Isles play more on busy nights, but against more defensively porous opponents, so if you can fit him into your starting line-up, Barzal is probably the better choice. In last 12 GP, Mat has potted 9 PTS (4 on the power play) with 43 shots. If you want someone more widely available, Ryan Strome is only 30% owned, has a super flexible schedule, scoring 11 PTS in his last 11 GP. If you’re playing in a bangers league and want some hits, I’d be looking at Brayden Schenn in St. Louis (great schedule) and Ivan Barbashev in Vegas. Both play 4 times in the week ahead.
5) Reilly Smith, Pit, (58% Yahoo ownership): The Pittsburgh Penguins have a busy week ahead, and Reilly smith is rolling right along with 11 PTS in his last 11 GP, 3 of those coming on the power play. What makes Smith appealing is that he plays on the second line with Malkin (which is more of a 1B line) and on the top unit power play. He is eligible at both wings, but he does have weaker shooting numbers than some of the other options. His teammate Bryan Rust is available in slightly more leagues and does play with Sidney Crosby, just not on the first unit power play. Still, Rust has been plenty productive too, also scoring 11 PTS in his last 11 GP (none on the PP) with a more appealing 34 shots and a +8.
Honorable Mentions: Bryan Rust, Jaden Schwartz, Semyon Varlamov, Cam Fowler, Brayden Schenn, Ivan Barbashev
Last Week: Evan Rodrigues, Filip Hronek, Marc-Andre Fleury, Nick Paul, Boone Jenner
Best Deep League Adds (under 26% ownership):
1) Robert Thomas, Stl, (26% Yahoo ownership): The St. Louis Blues have the weakest defensive opponents ahead due mostly to Tampa and San Jose at the beginning of the week, and Robert Thomas plays top line and top power play. He’s available in nearly 75% of leagues and has scored 11 PTS in his last 12 GP (although none on the power play is discouraging), but the good news is that he’s shooting more and scoring more, accumulating 26 shots in those 12 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets have a 4-game week coming up so you could find some value in the widely available Kirill Marchenko (2nd line, 2nd power play), who has 7 PTS in his last 11 GP, with an impressive 36 shots on goal, if your league counts that.
2) Ivan Provorov, Cbj, (25% Yahoo ownership): Zach Werenski is the top blueline option on Columbus power plays, but Ivan Provorov isn’t far behind in terms of usage. Certainly, Ivan has been the more productive of the two, with 9 PTS (4 on the PPP) in his last 13 GP (Werenski has no PP PTS in his last 12), adding 15 shots (which isn’t great and half as many as Werenski). The downside (peripheral stats notwithstanding) being the Isles don’t have a strong schedule. If your fantasy team has a no bigotry policy (and a greater need for peripheral stats) Ryan Pulock can offer both those things, shooting and hitting more often, and facing off against weaker teams defensively. I’m not sure about Pulock’s position on gay marriage, but he should have a higher social credit score than Provorov (who doesn’t).
3) Joel Hofer, Stl, (6% Yahoo ownership): St. Louis won the best schedule award, and Joel Hofer has been playing well as Binnington’s back-up, posting a .918 SV% in his last 4 games. He has a decent shot at drawing San Jose and Anaheim, at least one of which gives him a great shot at a win. Joey Daccord in Seattle does see more action (.909 SV% in his last 6) and has a decent shot at drawing Edmonton, I’m just nervous about their games against Colorado and Vancouver. If you really want a volume guy, Magnus Hellberg has temporarily taken over the goaltending duties in Pittsburgh, but they have a very tough schedule and I’m not yet sure how much time Jarry will miss. Hofer is the safer play.
4) Eli Tolvanen, Sea, (22% Yahoo ownership): As previously mentioned, the Kraken play the Oilers twice in their next 3 games, and Eli Tolvanen has been productive lately playing 3rd line and top power play. The duel-eligible winger has notched 6 PTS in his last 6 GP, also firing 18 shots on goal. If you’re playing in a league that counts hits, Tolvanen has thrown 28 in his last 13 GP, with gives him nice peripheral stats to go along with his recent scoring. His linemate Oliver Bjorkstrand has been very productive from line 3 and power play 2. But being on the 2nd unit hasn’t stopped him from accumulating 5 PP PTS in his 13 GP (giving in 12 PTS overall in that span), also adding 25 shots and 11 hits.
5) Sammy Blais, Stl, (3% Yahoo ownership): For those of you in hits leagues, be aware that the Blues have an appealing schedule and Blais is on a hitting spree lately, throwing 43 hits in his last 12 GP, adding 4 PTS in the process. He’s under a shot per game, but can potentially help you win the hits category for those of you in that format. Another player who can give you strong peripheral numbers and a few extra points is Yanni Gourde in Seattle, who has 7 PTS with 25 shots and 18 hits in his last 13 GP. Have I mentioned yet that Seattle plays Edmonton twice in their next 3 games? Sure, only one of those is next week and you may not have room Saturday, but there’s blood in the water, or an oil spill, choose your own metaphor.
Honorable Mentions: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Kirill Marchenko, Joey Daccord, Ryan Pulock
Last Week: Marco Rossi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Alex Barre-Boulet, Ilya Mikheyev, Jake Allen
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