Fantasy hockey: Scoring forwards and goalie streamers
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The last time St. Louis and Chicago faced off, back in late December, the Blues beat the Blackhawks 7-5. Robert Thomas/Jordan Kyrou and Co. will need a similar result Wednesday if they’re to maintain any hope, however slender, of reaching the postseason.
Tomas Hertl, F, Vegas Golden Knights (Available in 35% of ESPN.com leagues): The former Shark could make his Vegas debut Monday in Vancouver, on a scoring line with Chandler Stephenson and secondary power play. Unless your fantasy team is stacked beyond fault or flaw, I’d check on Hertl’s availability ASAP. While most other NHL squads look to four or five games left, the Golden Knights have six remaining on their regular-season schedule.
Arizona Coyotes: Arizona’s skaters are offering excellent value right now, including largely available players like Logan Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, Nick Bjugstad, and Dylan Guenther. The Coyotes visit Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary this week.
Andrei Kuzmenko, F, Calgary Flames (Available in 43% of ESPN.com leagues): Skating on a scoring line with Nazem Kadri, Kuzmenko is riding a five-game point streak with a whopping four goals and five assists. Calgary plays the Sharks, Kings, Ducks, and Coyotes this week. Plenty of potential there for the Flames forward to crank up his scoring total.
Sam Bennett, F, Florida Panthers (Available in 53% of ESPN.com leagues): The streaky top-six forward is scoring again. And the Panthers face the Senators, Blue Jackets, and Sabres this week. Hardly the unfriendliest schedule for productive fantasy players.
Viktor Arvidsson, F, Los Angeles Kings (Available in 71% of ESPN.com leagues): The top-six winger makes for a nice little addition in deeper leagues when his squad faces the Ducks twice and Flames once this week. Since returning from injury Mar. 20, Arvidsson is averaging an altogether respectable 2.0 fantasy points/game.
Nicholas Paul, F, Tampa Bay Lightning (Available in 82% of ESPN.com leagues): Earning occasional turns on a line with Steven Stamkos, Paul has four goals on 11 shots in his past three contests. The Lightning play the Blue Jackets, Senators, and Capitals this stretch of seven days.
Shane Wright, F, Seattle Kraken (Available in 96% of ESPN.com leagues): Competing on a top Kraken line with Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle, he potted two goals and an assist on five shots against the Ducks the other night. No question, Wright wants to make a positive impression to close matters out after spending most of this season in the AHL. Seattle hosts the Coyotes and Sharks before visiting the Stars and Blues this week. The fourth-overall draft pick (2022) could very well be worth a fantasy flier in deeper leagues.
Jonathan Drouin, F, Colorado Avalanche (Available in 79% of ESPN.com leagues): Skating heavy, heavy minutes on a top line and power play with Nathan Mackinnon, Drouin has seven goals and eight assists in his past 11 games. That works out to a very attractive average of 2.6 fantasy points/contest.
Additional note: Artturi Lehkonen is subbing in alongside Drouin and Mackinnon while Mikko Rantanen deals with a concussion.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins play the stingy Hurricanes and Penguins this week. That’s it. If you’ve been wavering on moving on from any Boston players – perhaps anyone other than David Pastrnak – now would be the time.
Wild goaltending: Minnesota – essentially booted from the playoff race – is up against Colorado and Vegas (before facing the less-competitive Sharks). Plus, AHL call-up Jesper Wallstedt – not Filip Gustavsson or Marc-Andre Fleury – got the opportunity to shut out the Blackhawks over the weekend.
Jake Allen, G, New Jersey Devils (Available in 93% of ESPN.com leagues): The Devils’ netminder was flat-out superb against the Maple Leafs two weeks ago, despite an exceptionally shoddy defensive effort from his teammates out front. Consider giving Allen the chance to replicate that effort/result Tuesday when Toronto – playing their second in as many nights – visits New Jersey. The Devils don’t fancy themselves completely out of it yet.
Brayden Schenn, F, St. Louis Blues (Available in 87% of ESPN.com leagues): Boosted to the top line, the veteran forward has four goals and a helper in his past four games. As mentioned, this very desperate Blues team has to maximize every opportunity, beginning with Wednesday’s battle with the visiting Blackhawks. Stream Schenn if able.