Each week, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered belongings to assist your squad, whether or not you prefer dynasty or the redraft format, and we’ll additionally toss in some ideas for DFS gamers on the market. Lastly, we are going to have a look at some former go-to fantasy belongings who could also be overvalued – within the short- or long-term – for one motive or one other.
This week we’re focussing on gamers to assist get you thru the primary spherical of your head-to-head playoff bracket. There isn’t any spherical two if you do not get by the primary match-up.
Forwards
Alex Killorn, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (Rostered in 54.8% of ESPN.com leagues): To be trustworthy, I am extra enchanted with Tampa’s present schedule than this particular participant, however typically the larger image deserves such consideration. There’s loads of scoring to be loved when the Lightning host the Maple Leafs Monday, then go to the Capitals on Wednesday, earlier than returning dwelling to play the Bruins and Sabres, Friday and Sunday respectively. The group’s No. 2 ahead line, together with Killorn and Anthony Cirelli, ought to contribute their affordable share. As mentioned final week [link: schedule hack], Tampa is energetic on days when many of the league isn’t, providing extra benefit when robust roster selections need to be made.
Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues (19.4%): That is undoubtedly the week to roll out your favorite fantasy commodities in St. Louis. The Blues host all 4 of their video games, scheduled between Monday and Saturday, in opposition to a parade of largely non-playoff groups (exception: Minnesota Wild). If out there for a Blues asset, would possibly I recommend the membership’s second-line middle, skating between Vladimir Tarasenko and Pavel Buchnevich. Thomas is using a five-game level streak, with three objectives and 6 assists over that span. Spectacular stuff.
Rickard Rakell, C/RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (17.0%): You’ll be able to nearly see the on-ice chemistry between Rakell and Evgeni Malkin blossoming in actual time. Contemporary into their new relationship, the 2 have already got a mixed 12 factors of their previous 4 video games. Search for that complete to develop this week, when the Penguins play the Avalanche, Rangers, Capitals, and Predators. Three of these energetic tilts going down on Pittsburgh’s dwelling ice. Rakell presents as a game-changing, under-radar fantasy gem now greater than ever.
Ilya Mikheyev, LW/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (6.2%): The Maple Leafs’ speedy winger is demonstrating a knack for placing the puck within the internet, no matter the place he slots into the lineup. 5 objectives in 9 video games, together with one short-handed, definitely suggests as a lot. Betcha Mikheyev places up not less than a pair extra this week, when Toronto faces the Lightning, Panthers, Stars, and Canadiens. He is value consideration in deeper standard leagues.
Erik Haula, C/LW, Boston Bruins (5.3%): Doing his finest to make up for a much-missed (and perennially underrated) David Krejci, the Bruins’ present second-line middle is holding his personal as of late. Skating alongside David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall, Haula has 4 objectives and 6 assists in is previous six contests. Not a nasty haul(a) in any respect. Not like his linemates, the well-travelled 31-year-old is extensively accessible in ESPN.com leagues. The Bruins go to the Blue Jackets, Pink Wings, Lightning, and Capitals this busy week. Loads of alternatives to place up extra factors.
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Erik Haula scores his 2nd aim of the evening to place the Bruins forward late
Defenders
Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames (14.8%): The Flames’ top-pair defender is on a pleasant little tear of late, contributing a aim and 5 assists, together with a helper with the additional skater, by 5 contests. Hanifin additionally leads Calgary’s blue line with 153 pictures on the 12 months. The Flames are touring the west coast this week, making stops in Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, and Seattle. Other than the early tilt with the Kings, that is a reasonably nice street journey. I’d be stunned if Hanifin does not find yourself with one other handful of factors earlier than subsequent week.
Erik Brannstrom, Ottawa Senators (14.3%): With Thomas Chabot shelved for the rest of he season, Brannstrom is incomes the chance anchor the Senators’ high energy play. The 22-year-old defender has three assists with the additional skater since Chabot was pressured from motion in mid-March. If particular groups scoring counts as a premium in your deeper fantasy league, contemplate including the fifteenth total draft choose (2017). Ottawa faces the Canadiens, Predators, Rangers, and Jets this week.
Goaltenders
Ville Husso, St. Louis Blues (55.3%): The Blues’ higher netminder initiatives to play three of the group’s 4 dwelling contests this week, together with Monday’s assembly with the Coyotes. Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Kraken, adopted by an look versus both the Islanders or Wild – leaving a struggling Jordan Binnington to battle by the opposite – wraps up what presents as a doubtlessly success-heavy week for Husso. I want St. Louis’ present No. 1 was accessible in any of my very own fantasy leagues. Sadly he’s not.
See additionally: Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars (59.2%)
Lowered expectations
Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks (58.8%): He is hit one other dry spell. After a livelier March, the Blackhawks captain is now three video games right into a recent point-less streak. And Chicago solely performs twice this week. Flip elsewhere for real fantasy assist up entrance.
