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Fantasy Hockey Week 18 Waiver Wire Picks & Preview

Fantasy Hockey Week 18 Waiver Wire Picks & Preview
Fantasy Hockey Hacks

Fantasy Hockey Hacks

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Fantasy Hockey Week 18 Waiver Wire Picks & Preview

In the 47th episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast, the FHH team discusses week 18 in the NHL – John’s List & Fantasy Lock Of The Week, Headlines With The Hacks, Fact or Fiction Feat. Mike McLaughlin (Left Wing Lock), Ask The Hacks, and Edge Work (Schedule Notes, Week 18 Waiver Wire Picks). Subscribe to our podcast on all major directories; and stay up to date with the latest in fantasy hockey news and fantasy hockey advice. Be sure to visit LeftWingLock.com, the best source for fantasy hockey intelligence; and The Hockey Podcast Network for more great hockey-related content.

Highlights:
  • Jack Eichel nearing a return for the Golden Knights
  • Mark Stone done for the regular season?
  • Brad Marchand appeals 6 game suspension, Rask retires, Bergeron should return Thursday
  • Sean Couturier done for the regular season after undergoing back surgery
  • Blake Wheeler posts 5-point game for the Jets against Nashville
  • Thatcher Demko makes 51 saves against the Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Jeff Skinner scores 4 goals, 1 assist against the Montreal Canadiens
  • Fact Or Fiction Feat. Mike McLaughlin (Left Wing Lock) – Minnesota Wild, Timo Meier, Brock Boeser
  • John’s List/Fantasy Lock Of The Week (3:34), Headlines With The Hacks (8:29), Fact Or Fiction Feat. Mike McLaughlin – Left Wing Lock (37:57), Ask The Hacks (55:33), Edge Work – Schedule Notes (1:18:44), Edge Work – Waiver Wire (1:25:55)

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John’s List

If you have been listening to our podcast for a while, you’ve undoubtedly heard about “John’s List”; which is basically John’s $h!t list of players past and present. We’ve decided to make this a regular segment on the podcast and will include it in the blog for fun as well. If you have any suggestions for players we should add to the list, let us know!

Fantasy Lock Of The Week (Feb 7 – 13, 2022) | Presented by Left Wing Lock
🔥 Patrik Laine, RW, 78% Rostered (Yahoo)

6 Points, 3 Goals (1 GWG), 4 PPP, 10 SOG, -1, 74.7% PP Share, 19:12 ATOI in 3 games played.  Laine has 14 points ( 8 goals) in his last 10 games played; and is on-pace for 82 points over 82 games played for Columbus this season. 

Honorable Mentions: Jeff Skinner (6 points – 4 goals, 2 assists, 1 GWG, 1 PPP, 9 SOG, +3, 67% PP share in 2 GP); Blake Wheeler (6 points – 2 goals, 4 assists, 1 GWG, 10 SOG, +1, 74% PP in 3 GP); Andrei Svechnikov (6 points – 4 goals, 2 assists, 19 SOG, +1, 77 PP in 4 GP).

Headlines With The Hacks (News & Injuries) | Feb 7 – 13, 2022

Our partner, Left Wing Lock, has a complete up-to-date list available on their website for all players placed on COVID protocol. You can see that list here.

February 7
  • Jack Eichel was at practice in a regular (contact) jersey on Monday. 

  • Mike Smith was activated from IR. Mikko Koskinen was placed in COVID protocol, and Stuart Skinner was recalled from the AHL. 
  • Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media on Monday that Tuukka Rask would NOT be practicing this week. Shortly after it was announced that Jeremy Swayman would start against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. 
  • P.K. Subban played in his 800th NHL game against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night. 

  • Auston Matthews left Monday’s game against the Hurricanes with an upper-body injury – appeared to catch a knee in the back of the head. Before leaving the game, Matthews scored his 30th and 31st goals of the season.  

  • The Maple Leafs required the fewest games in franchise history to reach the 30-win mark. 

  • Matt Dumba was placed on IR by the Minnesota Wild. 
February 8 
  • Pat Maroon signed a 2-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday morning. 

  • It sounds like Nikolaj Ehlers is still another 2-4 weeks away from returning. 

  • Braden Holtby was back on the ice for practice on Tuesday. 
  • Jakub Vrana was practicing in a no-contact jersey on Tuesday. 
  • Casey Mittelstadt is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. 

  • The Philadelphia Flyers have named Daniel Briere Special Assistant To The General Manager. 

  • With a goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, Alex Pietrangelo reached 500 career NHL points in 844 games played. 
  • Trey Fix-Wolansky scored his 1st NHL goal against the Washington Capitals. 

  • Tuukka Rask is reportedly not going to continue his comeback with the Boston Bruins. Rask may retire as early as this week. 

  • David Pastrnak scored his 15th and 16th goals since January 1st – the most by any player in the NHL.  

  • Patrice Bergeron left the game in the 3rd period after an awkward hit from Sidney Crosby; Bergeron did not return to the game, awaiting an official update. 
  • Brad Marchand was served a match penalty after punching Tristan Jarry in the head. Department of player safety will likely review, Marchand may face supplemental discipline. 

  • With an assist against the Coyotes, JT Miller reached 400 career points. Miller later went coast-to-coast scoring a highlight-reel goal, putting the Canucks up 4-1. 
February 9
  • Adam Fox was activated from injured reserve. 
  • Patrice Bergeron was ruled out for Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury. Will update as information becomes available.  
  • Mike Sullivan said that he expects Evgeni Malkin to be available for Sunday’s game against New Jersey. 
  • Frank Seravalli and Pierre LeBrun both reported on Wednesday that Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominic Ducharme was let go by the team. The Habs announced later in the day that Martin St.Louis was hired as the interim head coach. 

  • Brad Marchand was suspended 6 games for his actions in Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh. 

  • Duncan Keith fell hard into the boards in Wednesday’s game and did not return (upper-body). 
  • Mark Stone missed Wednesday’s contest against the Flames with an upper-body injury. Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer later told media that the injury was a lingering back issue, but Stone could have played if necessary. 
February 10
  • The Edmonton Oilers finally parted ways with head coach Dave Tippett. Bakersfield Condors head coach, Jay Woodcroft, will assume coaching responsibilities for the Oilers. 

  • Auston Matthews played on Thursday after taking a knee to the head (incidental contact) earlier in the week. 
  • Patrice Bergeron apparently has a cut on the back of his head that will keep him out of the lineup; but no word as to if he sustained a concussion. 
  • Nikita Kucherov was back in the lineup for the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday. 

  • Marcus Foligno was suspended 2 games for kneeing Jets forward Adam Lowry. 

  • Duncan Keith is expected to be out of the lineup for 2-4 weeks with upper-body soreness; and he is also in concussion protocol. Zack Kassian is out 4-8 weeks with a fractured jaw.

  • Greg Wyshynski reported that Jack Eichel could return either on February 16th versus Colorado, or February 18th against the LA Kings. 

  • The Arizona Coyotes are confirmed to play at ASU’s 5,000-seat arena for at least the next 3 seasons. 

  • According to Frank Seravalli, Mark Stone may be suffering from a degenerative back injury that may keep him out of action for the rest of the season. Can anyone say CAP CIRCUMVENTION!?  

February 11
  • Sean Couturier is done for the season after having successful back surgery on Friday morning. 

  • Brad Marchand filed an appeal for his 6-game suspension. 
  • Kaapo Kakko is expected to be out for at least another month with an upper-body injury. 
  • With a goal against the Islanders, Zach Hyman reached 100 career NHL goals. 
February 12 
  • Nathan MacKinnon is expected to return from injury on Sunday.
  • Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters he’s hopeful that Patrice Bergeron will play Thursday against the Islanders. 
  • John Klingberg suffered an upper-body injury, questionable for Sunday. 

  • With his 3rd GWG of the season, Moritz Seider has 32 points through 47 games, 6th most by a rookie in Red Wings franchise history. 

  • Thatcher Demko made a career-high 51 saves in a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

  • Blake Wheeler matched a Jets/Thrashers franchise record 5-points (2 goals) in a single game. 
  • Kyle Connor scored his 300th career NHL point with a goal against the Nashville Predators. 

  • Jesper Bratt is considered DTD with an upper-body injury. Dougie Hamilton joined his team mates for practice on Saturday in a regular contact jersey. He is expected to make his return sometime next week.

February 13
  • Auston Watson was suspended 2 games for interference on Bruins D man Jack Ahcan. 
  • The Montreal Canadiens have placed Ben Chiarot on IR with a lower-body injury. Eric Engels reported that it’s not believed to be much more than a week.
  • Jeff Skinner scored four goals, 5 points against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. It was Montreal’s 10th straight loss. 

Fact Or Fiction Feat. Mike McLaughlin (Left Wing Lock)

1 Team Case: Minnesota Wild 

The Minnesota Wild enter this weekend with the second-best points percentage in the Western Conference at 70.2% (5th in the league). They sit comfortably in 3rd place in the Central Division and have a +39 goal differential. Can you rely on a similar points percentage in the second half of the season as you evaluate their goalies for fantasy hockey?

1.1 The Details 

Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen are tied for 8th in the league in winning percentage by goalies at 67%. It’s a great feeling for fantasy hockey managers to throw their goalies in the lineup knowing, with 67% confidence, that they’ll come away that night with a win. But will this continue? Let’s have a look at some goalie-level and team-level metrics to better understand the question. 

Goalie Stats: 
  • Both Talbot and Kahkonen are sporting PKSV% values of 0.890.
  • League average PKSV% is 0.865. 
  • Saved Minnesota ∼5 goals; almost one full win or two standings points.1
Team Stats: 
  • EVSH% is 10.2%. Was 10.3% last season. Unsustainable.2 
  • If Minnesota finishes at 9.5%, they’ll score 12-13 fewer goals in the second half. That’s nearly 2.5 fewer wins in the second half. 
  • Minnesota is an average puck possession team at 50.4% that has been relying on a high EVSH% to outscore opponents.
  • Minnesota spends 5.65 minutes per game on the penalty kill (3rd most in NHL), but has allowed just one shorthanded goal against. Most teams with that much PKTOI have allowed 3+ SHGA.

1.2 The Verdict

Fiction. Minnesota’s first half of the season was boosted by scoring luck (at even-strength) and some above-average goaltending on the penalty kill. Even allowing for Minnesota to finish at a near-record pace of 9.5% shooting, the goaltenders will see their win percentage drop below 58% in the second half of the season due to the factors mentioned above.

1One win in the NHL is equivalent to 5.43 in goal differential. 

2In the past 13 seasons, or 396 total team seasons, there have been just five instances of a team shooting with 10% success or greater. Minnesota accounts for two of these five. Only twice has it happened in a full season – Washington.

2 Forward Case: Timo Meier 

Timo Meier (92% owned) has scored 47 points in 41 games played (on pace for 94 points – the highest rate of his career). Can fantasy hockey managers count on the San Jose forward for similar production in the second half? 

2.1 The Details 

Behavior/Usage: 
  • SOG: 4.1 (vs. 3.0 career) 
  • PPSOG: 0.7 (vs. 0.4 career) 
  • TOI: 16.46 EV, 2.44 PP 
  • Zone Starts: 48.6% (vs. low 50s in recent seasons) 
Luck: 
  • SH%: 12.5% (vs. 10.2% career) 
  • IPP: 80% (vs. 73% career) 
  • tEVSH%: 10.8% (vs. 7.9% career) 
  • a260: 1.12 (vs. 0.52 career — 115% boost) 
  • a160: 1.12 (vs. 0.65 career — 72% boost)

2.2 The Verdict

Fiction. Meier’s usage this season has been great for fantasy managers. He’s seeing an extra 2 minutes of ice time at even-strength and 45 extra seconds on the power play. He’s jacked up his shooting production to over 4 shots per game. But, he has multiple red flags that warn of an impending slowdown. The lucky tEVSH% and IPP reveal themselves in the abnormally high primary and secondary assist rates for Meier. His drop-off in the second half could be sharp.

3 Forward Case: Brock Boeser 

Brock Boeser (74% owned) has scored 25 points in 42 games played (on pace for 49 points – the lowest rate of his career). Can fantasy hockey managers count on the Vancouver forward for an increase in production in the second half? 

3.1 The Details 

Behavior/Usage: 
  • SOG: 2.9 (vs. 2.9 career) 
  • PPSOG: 0.8 (vs. 0.9 career) 
  • TOI: 15.61 EV, 3.24 PP 
  • Zone Starts: 59.7% (vs. high 50s / low 60s in recent seasons) 
Luck: 
  • SH%: 10.6% (vs. 13.1% career) 
  • IPP: 71% (vs. 65% career) 
  • *tEVSH%: 4.1% (vs. 10.6% career) 
  • a260: 0.20 (vs. 0.46 career — 56% drop) 
  • a160: 0.20 (vs. 0.53 career — 62% drop)

3.2 The Verdict 

Fact. Boeser’s behavior and usage are in line with previous season. This means that bad luck has been mostly responsible for his first-half production, I anticipate a nice boost for Boeser in the second half. I see him playing at 66-point pace the rest of the way compared to his 49-point pace in the first half. 

*Of all NHL players who have played at least 40 games this season (that’s 350 players), Boeser has the lowest tEVSH% in the league.

Ask The Hacks

  • Would you trade John Carlson for Brent Burns? (@FrancisOlivie15, Twitter)
  • I’m going to be needing to make room for Eichel on my active roster – in your opinion, who should I drop: Lucas Raymond or Brock Boeser? Raymond had a big night last night, but lately has been in a bit of an offensive slump despite playing with Larkin. And to be honest, I think I’ve benched him more times than I’ve played him the last few weeks. Boeser can be streaky but I believe Vancouver has more games in hand than the Wings?
  • Who do you like more for the rest of the season – Ivan Provorov or Evan Bouchard? 
  • Should I start seeing what I can get for Brad Marchand? Non-keeper, redraft league. 
  • What do you think of klingberg and toffoli for mctavish and mcmichael in keeper league?
  • Curious about your thoughts on Brady Tkachuk’s fantasy value with Norris and Batherson’s long-term injuries. Should I trade him away for similar value? I’m in an ESPN league meaning blocks (0.5) hits (0.1) and shots (0.1) are rewarded. He has 2.2 Pts/GM right now. 
  • What are your thoughts on Hartman? He’s been in a slump. He’s line 1, PP2. Someone dropped him in our league. Minnesota has a favourable schedule, with a lot of games remaining. Worth dropping Bratt for?

Edge Work | NHL Schedule, Week 18

Next week’s schedule features 46 NHL contests, and provides balance throughout the week – the minimum number of games played on any one day is 4. Tuesday and Thursday will be particularly busy with 9 and 10 games respectively. The Minnesota Wild need to be on the radar of fantasy managers for next week, as they play all 4 of their games on light days (fewer than 50% of teams playing; generally Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). Other teams of note that play all of the majority of their games on light days include: Edmonton, Chicago, Winnipeg, Carolina, Florida, and Las Vegas. 

  • Monday – 4 Game
  • Tuesday – 9 Games
  • Wednesday – 4 Games
  • Thursday – 10 Games
  • Friday – 4 Games
  • Saturday – 7 Games
  • Sunday – 8 Game
Teams With 5 Games: 
Team Of Interest | Edmonton Oilers (Strength of Schedule: 7) 
  • The Edmonton Oilers get the rare 5-game week, with games against San Jose (3-4-3 last 10 GP), Los Angeles (5-3-2 last 10 GP), Anaheim (4-4-2 last 10 GP), Winnipeg (3-5-2 last 10 GP), and Minnesota (8-1-1 last 10 GP). It’s been a tale of two seasons so far for the Oilers, having started the season 16-5; only to go on a stretch of 2-13. The team seemed to respond well to new head coach Jay Woodcroft, taking a 3-1 win from the Islanders on Friday night. Mike Smith had a bounce-back game, posting a .974 SV%, and could provide some real value for the week (possibly beyond). Players To Consider: Kailer Yamamoto (6%), Jesse Puljujarvi (33%), Evan Bouchard (58%), Cody Ceci (1%), Mike Smith (46%), Mikko Koskinen (44%).
Teams With 4 Games: 
Team Of Interest | Minnesota Wild (Strength of Schedule: +10) 
  • The Minnesota Wild have been the league’s second best team since January 1st, posting a points percentage of .803 and scoring at a rate of 3.92 GF/GP. There is still plenty of fantasy value to be had on this team, particularly the Wild’s 3rd line of Fiala, Gaudreau, and Boldy. Minnesota plays Detroit (5-4-1), Winnipeg (3-5-2 last 10 GP), Florida (7-3-3), and Edmonton (6-3-1) this upcoming week, ALL ON OFF/LIGHT DAYS (Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday). The Wild have had success against the Jets so far this season, winning 2 of the first 3 meetings (6-5 W, 7-1 W, 2-0 L); and against the Oilers, taking a 4-1 win on December 7th. Florida beat Minnesota 5-4 on November 20th; and the Wild have not faced Detroit so far this year. Players To Consider: Kevin Fiala (77%), Marcus Foligno (57%), Joel Eriksson Ek (52%), Frederick Gaudreau (0%), Matt Boldy (23%), Alex Goligoski (33%), Jonas Brodin (11%), Kaapo Kähkönen (51%).
Teams With 3 Games: 
Team Of Interest | Calgary Flames (Strength of Schedule: -27) 
  • The Calgary Flames are absolutely rolling right now – 8-2-0 in their last 10 games played; and scoring at a rate of 3.60 GF/GP since January 1st. With matchups against Columbus (6-4-0 last 10 GP), Anaheim (4-4-2 last 10 GP), and Seattle (5-5-0 last 10 GP), Calgary should definitely be on the radar of fantasy managers for next week. The Flames crushed Columbus on January 26th by a score of 6-0; split the season series with Anaheim (both 1-goal games); and defeated Seattle 6-4 on December 30th.  Players To Consider: Andrew Mangipane (59%), Mikael Backlund (19%), Blake Coleman (33%), Noah Hanifin (9%), Rasmus Anderson (38%), Oliver Kylington (26%). 
Team Of Interest | New York Islanders (Strength of Schedule: -27) 
  • The New York Islanders have a great schedule for next week, taking on the Buffalo Sabres (3-5-2 last 10 GP) on Tuesday, Boston (5-4-1 last 10 GP) on Thursday, and Montreal on Sunday (1-7-2 last 10 GP). The Isles beat the Sabres 4-1 on December 30th; beat Boston on December 16th by a score of 3-1; and beat the Habs 6-2 on November 4th. Brock Nelson scored a hat trick against the Canadiens in game 1 of the season series and would make a great streamer for next week.  Players To Consider: Josh Bailey (4%), Anders Lee (32%), Brock Nelson (20%), Oliver Wahlstrom (10%), Anthony Beauvillier (6%), Noah Dobson (31%). 
Teams With 2 Games: 
Team Of Interest | Washington Capitals  (Strength of Schedule: -7) 
  • Alex Ovechkin returned from COVID protocol on Sunday, and the Capitals have a fairly favourable schedule next week with games against Nashville (4-4-2 last 10 GP) and Philadelphia (2-7-1 last 10 GP). Washington took game 1 of the season series with Nashville, a 5-3 win on December 29th. Eller, Orlov, and Hagelin all chipped in offensively in that game. The Flyers took game 1 of the season series against Washington, but that was back on November 6th; and Philadelphia is just 2-12-2 since January 1st. Players To Consider: Lars Eller (4%), Carl Hagelin (0%), Dmitry Orlov (55%), Justin Schultz (9%), Vitek Vanecek (58%).
Teams With 1 Game: 
Team Of Interest | Tampa Bay Lightning (Strength of Schedule: -31) 

The Bolts have just one game on the slate for next week, a road matchup with the New Jersey Devils. Tampa has split the season series with New Jersey with a 5-3 loss on November 20th and a 3-2 win on January 27th. Tampa Bay is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, and have the 6th best possession metrics in the NHL since January 1st.  Players To Consider: Alex Killorn (72%), Anthony Cirelli (40%), Mathieu Joseph (1%), Corey Perry (9%), Ryan McDonagh (10%).

Edge Work | NHL Week 18 Waiver Wire Targets

Waiver wire targets will be focused on players with ownership ~50% or less. 

Top Waiver Wire Targets

📈 Brandon Hagel (LW/RW), CHI | Rostered: 4% (Yahoo) | GP: 4 (@WPG, Vs.CBJ, Vs.DAL, Vs.FLA) | Line: 2 (w/ Dach & DeBrincat, PP1) 
  • Brandon Hagel has emerged as a legitimate top 6 option for the Chicago Blackhawks this season with 26 points (14 goals) in 42 games, on-pace for 51 points over 82 games played. Hagel is playing a career-high 17:08 TOI with exposure to elite fantasy forwards Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Hagel’s iSH% (19.4%) is a point of concern, but there are no other red flags at this point in time. The Hawks play 4 games next week, so take advantage. 
📈 Dylan Strome (LW/RW), CHI | Rostered: 13% (Yahoo) | GP: 4 (@WPG, Vs.CBJ, Vs.DAL, Vs.FLA) | Line: 1 (w/ Kane & Kubalik, PP1) 
  • A pending RFA, Dylan Strome is doing everything he can to boost his value ahead of his next contract. Strome has scored 11 points (6 goals) over his last 9 games; and with Jonathan Toews on the shelf, Strome has been playing prime minutes, mostly alongside Patrick Kane. With 4 games on the schedule for next week, Strome makes for another excellent streamer. 
📈 Gustav Nyquist (LW/RW), CBJ | Rostered: 10% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@CGY, @CHI, Vs.BUF) | Line: 1 (w/ Jenner & Laine, PP2) 
  • The former Red Wing has fit in nicely with the Columbus Blue Jackets; and has posted 17 points (8 goals) over his last 19 games played dating back to December 16th. Nyquist has seen plenty of time on a line with Laine and Jenner, as well as some time on the second power play unit (28% PP share). Nyquist’s iSH% (21.4%) and shot volume (1.2 SOG/GM) are areas of concern, but give Nyquist a look as long as he continues to produce. 
📈 Andrew Mangiapane (LW/RW), CGY | Rostered: 58% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.CBJ, Vs.ANA, Vs.SEA) | Line: 2 (w/ Coleman & Backlund, PP2) 
  • Andrew Mangiapane started the season like a house on fire, then cooled off a bit, which is reflected in his current ownership percentage of 58%. With a goal against the Islanders on Saturday night, Mangiapane has produced 9 points (6 goals) in his last 8 games played. Over the same span, Calgary’s second line of Mangiapane, Coleman, and Backlund has been fantastic with a 66.13 CF%, 72.73 GF%, and 70 SCF% at 5v5.  Also: Blake Coleman (33%), Mikael Backlund (16%).
📈 Nick Schmaltz (LW/RW), ARI | Rostered: 4% (Yahoo) | GP: 2 (Vs.LAK, Vs.DAL) | Line:  (w/ Keller & Boyd, PP1) 
  • Nick Schmaltz has really picked up the pace recently with 9 points (6 goals) in his last 9 games; playing on the Yotes top line with Clayton Keller and Travis Boyd. Schmaltz is another player whose iSH% (16.7%) is potentially problematic, and his shot volume (1.7 SOG/GM) leaves much to be desired. Arizona also plays just 2 games next week – Saturday versus the Kings and Sunday versus Dallas; which makes Schmaltz more of a nice end of week streamer. 
📈 Jakub Vrana (LW), DET | Rostered: 19% (Yahoo) | GP: 2 (@MIN, @NYR) | Line:  (w/ N/A) 
  • Jakub Vrana is back at practice with the Detroit Red Wings, and should be cleared for contact soon. After landing in Detroit at the deadline last season, Vrana was very effective for the Red Wings, posting 11 points (8 goals) in 11 games played. The former Capital will obviously need a bit of time to get up to speed; but should immediately see time in Detroit’s top 6 and top power play. Stash him now and enjoy the results come fantasy playoffs! 
📈 Michael Bunting (LW), TOR | Rostered: 30% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@SEA, Vs.PIT, Vs.STL) | Line: 1 (w/ Matthews & Marner, PP1) 
  • The former Coyote has developed some real chemistry with Auston Matthews, and finds himself in a very enviable position playing alongside both Matthews and Marner at even-strength. With 30 points (14 goals) through 45 games played, Bunting is on-pace for 55 points over 82 games played; and has a much more reasonable iSH% of 14.4% compared to his 26.3% shooting percentage from last season. Note, as an added bonus, the Maple Leafs play the 4th-most games between now and the end of the regular season (April 30th).   
📈 Nico Hischier (C), TOR | Rostered: 26% (Yahoo) | GP: 1 (Vs.TB) | Line:  (w/ Sharangovich & Bratt, PP1) 
  • The Devil’s center has been hot coming out of the All-Star break with 5 points (4 goals) in 3 games played. Hischier’s tEVSH% is just 6.5%, and his PPIPP is at 43.8%, suggesting we could see further fantasy production from the Swiss center. On-pace for a career-high 57 points, and also playing a career-best 18:50 ATOI. Jack Hughes was removed from COVID protocol on Saturday, which may affect Hischier’s deployment moving forward. 
📈 Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D), VAN | Rostered: 45% (Yahoo) | GP: 2 (@SJS, Vs.ANA) | Pair: 1 (w/ Juulsen) 
  • The long-time desert dog has been absolutely fantastic lately, posting 6 points (2 goals) in his last 4 games; and playing nearly 25 minutes per game and 3:12 on the power play (62% PP share). Still lots of room for positive regression when looking at iSH% (3.6%), tEVSH% (5.4%), and IPP (36.8%) – all below expected or average levels. When Quinn Hughes returns from COVID protocol, OEL is going to surrender power play time; but hopefully this stretch is enough to boost Ekman-Larsson’s confidence for the remainder of the season. Vancouver has just 34 games left in the season, so that does hinder the Canucks player’s fantasy value in general. 
📈 Noah Hanifin (D), CGY | Rostered: 7% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.CBJ, Vs.ANA, Vs.SEA) | Pair: 1 (w/ Andersson) 
  • The former Cane is on-pace for a career-best 43 points, and has been particularly hot of late with 10 points (2 goals) in his last 10 games played. Hanifin has been playing top 4 minutes for Calgary alongside Rasmus Andersson, and is receiving the most PPTOI since 2016-2017. Calgary is 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, and since January 1st they have been scoring at a rate of 3.60 GF/GP (8th) with the league’s 2nd best possession metrics (USAT% of 56.1). 
📈 Noah Dobson (D), NYI | Rostered: 31% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@BUF, Vs.BOS, Vs.MTL) | Pair: 2 (w/ Chara) 
  • Noah Dobson scored on the power play Saturday night against the Calgary Flames, bringing his point total on the season to 19 with 7 goals. Dobson has 5 points (2 goals) in his last 8 games played, and the Islanders play the most games of any team between now and the end of the season. Since taking over PP1 duties on December 4th, Dobson has played 70.5% on the power play and has scored 15 points (7 goals) in 24 games. On-pace for 39 points, and offers some additional value in terms of blocked shots and shots on goal. 
📈 Jeremy Swayman (G), BOS | Rostered: 39% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@NYR, @NYI, @0TT) | Role: Tandem (40% Net Share)
  • With Tuukka Rask officially announcing his retirement earlier this week, Swayman has renewed value in fantasy hockey; and will look to play at least 50% of the games for the remainder of the season. Swayman posted a 30-save shutout against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, which marks just his second quality start over his last 6 games. Still, Swayman’s overall record this season is still impressive with a 2.22 GAA and .919 SV%. With Bergeron expected back sometime next week, and Marchand appealing his 6-game suspension, the Bruins should be back to full health sooner than later; which obviously helps Swayman’s prospects. 
📈 Petr Mrazek (G),  | Rostered: 47% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@SEA, Vs.PIT, Vs.STL) | Role: Backup (18% Net Share)
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs have the 4th most remaining games (37) to be played between now and the end of the regular season (April 30th); and it would not be at all surprising to see the Maple Leafs rest Jack Campbell down the stretch. Since January 8th, Campbell (4-2-1) and Mrazek (4-1-0) both have winning records, but Campbell’s numbers have NOT been good – 4.11 GAA, .864 SV%, and a -10.33 GSAA. Conversely, Mrazek has posted a 2.27 GAA, .917 SV%, and a 0.78 GSAA. Keep a close eye on net share over the next few weeks. 
📈 Cal Petersen (G), LAK | Rostered: 35% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.EDM, @VGK, @ARI) | Role: Tandem (38% Net Share)
  • Since January 8th, Cal Petersen and Jonathan Quick have split the crease almost exactly 50%. However, the 27-year old Petersen has been substantially better with a 6-1-0 record (2.01 GAA, .914 SV%) over his last 7 appearances compared to Quick’s 2-2-2 record (3.30 GAA, .877 SV%, -5.49 GSAA). Petersen’s PKSV% (.800) this season suggests we could see some very solid numbers from him for the remainder of the season; and the Kings as a team have some real positives going for them. Since January first, the Kings are 1st in USAT% (60.1%) and have a 5v5 SH% of just 7.4%.

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