Fantasy Hockey: Weekend Streaming Targets – Week 13
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, we break down the teams and skaters with the most streamer-friendly schedules over the weekend.
This weekend features five games on Friday, 12 on Saturday, and five on Sunday. There are three teams playing on both Friday and Sunday this weekend; the Penguins, Ducks, and Blackhawks. After combing through their rosters, we’ve narrowed down the top options at each ownership range in Yahoo! Fantasy leagues, starting with 30% – 21%. Good luck, and happy streaming!
30% – 21%: Troy Terry (C/RW – 30% Owned)
One of the more underrated producers in the NHL over the last few seasons, Terry is quietly enjoying another successful campaign. The 27-year-old winger is up to 13 goals, 18 assists, and 97 shots on goal through 37 games while averaging just under 19 minutes a night. He has been particularly productive of late, tallying four goals and two assists in his last four games.
Unsurprisingly, Terry sees heavy usage on the power-play as well as at 5v5, where he’s currently featured on the first line alongside Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano. The three of them are averaging 34 scoring chances and 14 high-danger chances per 60 in over 300 minutes together at 5v5 this season. The only knock on Terry this weekend is the matchup spread. The Ducks travel to Edmonton on Friday and host the Lightning on Sunday. Even with the undesirable matchups, Terry’s usage and shot volume still give him a very solid floor. I’m rolling him with confidence this weekend.
20% – 11%: Michael Bunting (LW – 13% Owned)
While Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby aren’t the fantasy juggernauts they once were, Bunting is still benefiting from his exposure to them this season. The former Maple Leaf is on pace to top 20 goals and 20 assists this year despite playing less than 15 minutes a night. Obviously, those numbers aren’t anything to write home about, but it’s worth noting how consistent Bunting’s production has been this season on a weekend that’s so thin on streaming options.
The bulk of that production has come on the power-play. The Penguins surprisingly boast the league’s fourth-best power-play rate at 26.10%. Bunting has been effective in his net-front role for the top unit, which has allowed him to rack up seven goals with the man advantage this season. He’s been in good form of late, scoring in three straight games before being held off the scoresheet in Detroit on Tuesday, and is a good bet to find the back of the net again this weekend.
10% – 0%: Tyler Bertuzzi (LW – 9% owned)
The final of our three teams rocking the Friday/Sunday schedule offer us another former Maple Leaf in Bertuzzi. The nine-year-veteran is rebounding nicely after a dreadful start to his Blackhawks career, scoring seven times in his last eleven games. Of course, it’s no surprise this recent spike in production coincides with increased exposure to Connor Bedard.
If you’re going to provide fantasy value on this Blackhawks roster, you’re going to need to see a lot of playing time alongside Bedard. Bertuzzi’s tied to his hip at 5v5 and on the power-play right now, and unlike the Penguins and Ducks, the Blackhawks own a relatively favourable matchup spread this weekend. They host the Canadiens on Friday before the struggling Rangers come to town on Sunday. I’m expecting Bertuzzi to stay hot this weekend while providing solid category coverage in shots and banger leagues.
Ryan Strome (C/LW – 5% owned)
As a bonus, let’s take a quick trip back to Anaheim and talk about Terry’s linemate, Ryan Strome. Strome does not offer nearly the floor or upside that Terry does, but that’s why he’s available in 95% of leagues. He of course is still getting the same exposure to all the high-danger chances their line is creating at 5v5, and he also enters the weekend on the team’s first power-play unit. Again, he’s not the most exciting play, but his shot volume is trending upwards and he comes in riding a three-game point streak. Strome is a viable option in deeper leagues and if you’ve got an extra roster spot available in shallower formats, stacking him with Terry this weekend makes a lot of sense.