Week 18 of the NHL season is 3 is here and I have a few potential streaming targets. The
award for best schedule this week goes to the Arizona Coyotes, who play 4
games, all on light nights, and have the most porous opponents (on average)
than the other 2 teams playing 4 times (LA and New Jersey). Unfortunately,
there weren’t many appealing options from those 3 teams in the 65% to 25%
range, so you’ll see a few 3-gamers below. The Yotes have plenty of deep league
options. If you scroll down to see my strength of schedule and watch list
graphics with stats last 30 days and player’s upcoming schedules, it should
help you figure out who best fits into your lineup and when.
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.
Best Standard League Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Artturi Lehkonen, Col, (34% Yahoo ownership): Artturi Lehkonen received an honorable mention here last week on the possibility that he could reclaim his old job on the MacKinnon line. He had not done much since returning and was playing 3rd line, but his history with MacKinnon made him an ideal candidate, and speculation became reality. While the Avs only play 3 games, it’s an easy schedule with a light night mixed in. I had added Drouin in a league but have since streamed him out. Both Drouin and Lehkonen are listed on the Avs top power play at Daily Faceoff. Another option with leaky opponents on their schedule (albeit 3 games) is Troy Terry in Anaheim, who has been on fire with 10 PTS in his last 6 GP (adding 20 shots).
2) Quentin Byfield, LA, (38% Yahoo ownership): Quentin Byfield might be the only “line one, power play one” 4-game forward in this ownership range, so he gets the #2 seed. He’s eligible at both center and wing, playing 3rd wheel with Kempe and Kopitar. He recently missed 2 games with an illness but scored a point in his first game back. In his last 9 GP, Byfield has 7 PTS (3 on the PP) with 21 shots and 6 hits, available in more than 60% of leagues. His teammate Trevor Moore is available in much fewer, but eligible at both wings, scoring 7 PTS in his last 11 GP with an astounding 43 shots. Certainly, a more valuable piece in any format that counts shots, though there was an 8-shot game vs San Jose to pad that number.
Best Standard League Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Artturi Lehkonen, Col, (34% Yahoo ownership): Artturi Lehkonen received an honorable mention here last week on the possibility that he could reclaim his old job on the MacKinnon line. He had not done much since returning and was playing 3rd line, but his history with MacKinnon made him an ideal candidate, and speculation became reality. While the Avs only play 3 games, it’s an easy schedule with a light night mixed in. I had added Drouin in a league but have since streamed him out. Both Drouin and Lehkonen are listed on the Avs top power play at Daily Faceoff. Another option with leaky opponents on their schedule (albeit 3 games) is Troy Terry in Anaheim, who has been on fire with 10 PTS in his last 6 GP (adding 20 shots).
2) Quentin Byfield, LA, (38% Yahoo ownership): Quentin Byfield might be the only “line one, power play one” 4-game forward in this ownership range, so he gets the #2 seed. He’s eligible at both center and wing, playing 3rd wheel with Kempe and Kopitar. He recently missed 2 games with an illness but scored a point in his first game back. In his last 9 GP, Byfield has 7 PTS (3 on the PP) with 21 shots and 6 hits, available in more than 60% of leagues. His teammate Trevor Moore is available in much fewer, but eligible at both wings, scoring 7 PTS in his last 11 GP with an astounding 43 shots. Certainly, a more valuable piece in any format that counts shots, though there was an 8-shot game vs San Jose to pad that number.
3) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buf, (47% Yahoo ownership): After struggling early in the season, UPL has been elite in the last 30 days, posting a .936 SV% and a pair of shutouts. He’s available in one of my leagues and I’ve been eyeing him as a potential replacement for Talbot (though I’m going to give Cam the next 4 games with the new coach before dumping my stock). Sabres play LA, Florida, and Minnesota, so two of those are winnable. Jonathan Quick also received consideration for this slot, as he’s been outplaying Shesterkin the last 2 weeks and earning more starts. I just think UPL is more likely to get more action. Even Joonas Korpisalo is an option with the Sens playing a very easy schedule. He has improved recently.
4) Sam Bennett, Fla, (36% Yahoo ownership): This isn’t going to be
an easy week for the Florida Panthers and they are only playing 3 times, but it
is criminal that Sam Bennett’s Yahoo ownership is only 36%, he centers Matthew
Tkachuk who is on fire and 40-goal scoring Verhaege on the other wing. In his
last 11 GP, Bennett has notched 9 PTS (3 on the power play), with 27 shots and
26 hits. Before I get too sanctimonious about his ownership, he’s actually
available in one of my leagues where I have no room for centers. That’s
probably why Charlie Coyle is still only 62% owned despite scoring 15
PTS in his last 11 GP centering Marchand & Pasta. He’s be at 80% with wing
eligibility.
5) Thomas Harley, Dal, (56% Yahoo ownership): There were no blueliners with 4-game schedules in this ownership range who appealed to me this week, and even the 3-gamers were not an exciting list. Though Thomas Harley did stand out for being the most productive option in the last 30 days, scoring 10 PTS in 12 GP with 29 shots and 13 hits. He received a few plugs here in December and January, but I dumped my stock after Heiskanen returned, which didn’t slow Harley down. Stars do have a tough schedule ahead. I’m still hanging on to Jeremy Lauzon in both my leagues, just because they’re category scoring and both need hits (averaging 5.5 per game in his last 10). Lauzon is a machine even shooting 15 times in his last 10 (better than Gudas).
5) Thomas Harley, Dal, (56% Yahoo ownership): There were no blueliners with 4-game schedules in this ownership range who appealed to me this week, and even the 3-gamers were not an exciting list. Though Thomas Harley did stand out for being the most productive option in the last 30 days, scoring 10 PTS in 12 GP with 29 shots and 13 hits. He received a few plugs here in December and January, but I dumped my stock after Heiskanen returned, which didn’t slow Harley down. Stars do have a tough schedule ahead. I’m still hanging on to Jeremy Lauzon in both my leagues, just because they’re category scoring and both need hits (averaging 5.5 per game in his last 10). Lauzon is a machine even shooting 15 times in his last 10 (better than Gudas).
Honorable Mentions: Charlie Coyle, Troy Terry, Jonathan Quick, Trevor Moore, Jeremy Lauzon
Last Week: Jonathan Drouin, Charlie Lindgren, Charlie Coyle, Josh Manson, Dakota Joshua
Best Deep League Adds (under 26% ownership):
1) Dave Rittich, LA, (19% Yahoo ownership): The LA Kings have won 2 games in their last 8, firing their coach over the all-star break. This does inject some uncertainty into the goaltending situation, but the Kings play 4 games and Rittich should play at least 2 of them. He’s been the better of the two goalies last 30 days, posting a .924 SV% and earned all 3 of the team’s wins in that span. Big Save Dave briefly joined one of my teams, but was streamed out. He may get streamed back in if he wasn’t already claimed (12-team standard league). You could also take a swing on Nico Daws with the Devils playing 4 and Jack Hughes back. His .896 SV% last 30 days is bad, but could put up a win or two and is 95% available.
2) Simon Nemec, NJ, (7% Yahoo ownership): If you’re playing in a points-only league or just need help in that category, Simon Nemec has scored 7 in his last 11 games (with 1 on the power play). The Devils play 4 times, and Jack Hughes is back in the lineup as the rising tide raises all boats (in theory). The rookie defender didn’t see much power play time in their last game, but played 1:45 vs Colorado. The other downside with Nemec is the low shot and hit totals, as he doesn’t seem to be doing much of either. If that’s what you’re looking for, Matt Roy in LA is a better option. In his last 10 GP he has 3 PTS, 22 shots, and 18 hits. As previously mentioned, the Kings have a busy schedule, so Roy can help you fill some categories, just not PTS.
3) Jack McBain, Ari, (1% Yahoo ownership): Jack McBain is currently centering the top line in Arizona between Keller and Schmaltz, and the Coyotes won my best schedule of the week award. They play all on light nights, so it should be easy fitting their centers into your starting line-up (there’s more coming). McBain is a better option in a league with hits, scoring 5 PTS in his last 10 GP with 7 shots and 25 hits. If you need shots, his linemate Nick Schmaltz shoots plenty, with 20 in his last 7 GP (adding 4 PTS in that span). Schmaltz also plays on the top unit power play, which McBain does not, and is eligible at both center and right wing. Schmaltz has been a frequent streamer of mine the last couple years, but never seems to sustains a permanent role.
4) Logan Cooley, Ari, (15% Yahoo ownership): We are now making up for the lack of Coyote players in the previous section by blowing this out. The Coyotes currently have Logan Cooley, Barrett Hayton, and Dylan Guenther playing on a line, which could eventually grow into a potent scoring line. All 3 have very high draft pedigree and give this team a bright future in Salt Lake City. In his last 10 GP, Cooley has scored 6 PTS with 16 shots and 13 hits, which isn’t earth shattering, this is just a good week for Yotes. Cooley isn’t currently listed on a power play unit, but his linemate Dylan Guenther is. He’s a little cooler, with 4 PTS in his last 10 GP (with 17 shots), but at least gives you top power play exposure.
5) Ondrej Palat, NJ, (2% Yahoo ownership): Ondrej Palat’s output has slid a long way from his heady days on the Tampa power play, but he’s playing top line and second power play on one of the few 4-game teams. The winger has scored 5 PTS in 4 GP since returning from injury, adding 8 shots and 3 hits. They have him playing on a line with Hischier and Bratt, so there’s some potential upside from this option that’s available in 98% of leagues. Or if you want another Coyote, Nick Bjugstad offers you a little more help in category leagues. In his last 10 GP, Nick has scored 5 PTS (which isn’t thrilling) but 31 shots and 16 hits. The downside of Bjugstad is center-only, but again he’s playing all light nights, hence why you should add Yotes.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Schmaltz, Matt Roy, Nico Daws, Dylan Guenther
Last Week: Samuel Girard, Ross Colton, Max Pacioretty, Laurent Brossoit, Nick Paul
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