Fantasy Hockey: Weekend Streaming Targets – Week 1
Our weekend Streamers series aims to help you steal your matchup by getting the most value possible out of the limited transactions in your fantasy league. Every Friday morning, we break down the teams and skaters with the most streamer-friendly schedules over the weekend. We also look at the best spot starts in goal, highlighting the widely-available goaltenders that can provide the edge you need to win your matchup.
This weekend features four games on Friday, 13 on Saturday, and four on Sunday. We will focus on the players with the best matchups to target on Friday’s four game slate that can also get you an extra game on Sunday. And of course, we will highlight some of Sunday’s best spot starts in goal that you can look to stash ahead of time. Let’s get into it. Happy streaming!
Vegas Golden Knights–vs. STL (Fri), vs. ANA (Sun)
Ivan Barbashev (C/LW) – 36% owned
Barbashev’s season got off to a dream start when Vegas hosted the Avalanche on Wednesday night. Skating alongside Jack Eichel and Mark Stone on the Golden Knights’ first line, Barbashev went off for two goals and two assists in just under 16 and a half minutes of ice time. He threw in some additional fantasy value in extended formats, tallying two shots on goal, two hits, and one blocked shot. He makes for a great addition this weekend given his usage at 5v5 as well as on the second power-play unit. Do not be surprised if he is able to stay in the flames and keep his hot start rolling in a pair of favourable matchups against the Blues and Ducks.
Victor Olofsson (LW) – 12% owned
Like Barbashev, Olofsson also managed to find the back of the net twice in Wednesday’s season opener, despite being limited to just 13 minutes of ice-time. Being paired with the likes of Nicolas Roy and Brendan Brisson on the Golden Knights’ third line certainly caps Olofsson’s upside at 5v5, but it is his power-play usage that makes him an intriguing target this weekend. Olofsson is currently holding down a spot on Vegas’ top power-play unit and he already cashed in on the opportunity on Wednesday. He is a great bet to find the back of the net again this weekend if he can continue to hold down that lucrative role.
Winnipeg Jets–vs. CHI (Fri), vs. MIN (Sun)
Gabriel Vilardi (C/RW) – 42% owned
While he is likely going to be owned in most competitive leagues, Vilardi’s role atop the Jets’ first line and power-play unit makes him a mandatory mention here. Though he failed to register a shot on goal in Wednesday night’s 6-0 victory over the Oilers, Vilardi did play over 17 minutes alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. He also made the most of his power-play time, notching a secondary assist on Scheifele’s third-period goal. Vilardi is worthy of a roster spot so long as he is seeing this kind of deployment. If he is available, make room for him on your roster for this weekend and beyond.
Cole Perfetti (C/LW) – 13% owned
Perfetti got off to a quiet start on Wednesday, going pointless in 13 minutes and 38 seconds of ice-time. Whether or not this limited usage continues to plague Winnipeg’s second line remains to be seen. The hope is that we see those minutes climb a bit this weekend and Perfetti is able to take advantage of his power-play time and exposure to Nikolaj Ehlers at even strength. Friday’s clash with the Blackhawks alone is enough to make Perfetti a worthy gamble in deeper leagues this weekend.
Goaltenders
There are six teams playing on a Saturday to Sunday back-to-back this weekend. That will leave plenty of spot starts available in your free agency pool come Sunday. I highlighted my two favourite options below.
Casey DeSmith – 2% owned
Assuming Jake Oettinger gets the nod against the Islanders on Saturday, DeSmith will make his Stars debut at home to the Kraken on Sunday. DeSmith is a serviceable backup who tends to perform well in favourable matchups. The Stars will be heavy favourites on Sunday, and I would not think twice about starting DeSmith despite the .895 SV% he posted with the Canucks last season. Available in 98% of leagues, there is not a goalie I would rather go after on the wire this weekend if I am looking to pad my win totals.
Calvin Pickard – 4% owned
Pickard replaced Stuart Skinner in the Oilers’ horrendous opening night loss to the Jets, allowing one goal on seven shots. Now, there is a small chance Pickard could start the front-end of this weekend’s back-to-back given Skinner’s dreadful performance, but traditional wisdom would suggest the back-up Pickard gets the Sunday game against the Flames. Pickard performed well when called upon last season, registering a .909 SV% in 23 appearances. Expect the Oilers to bounce back from their awful season debut and Pickard should be one of the biggest benefactors this weekend. Start him with confidence.