Fantasy Hockey: Weekend Streaming Targets – Week 14
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, 15 on Saturday, and five on Sunday. Unfortunately, there are just two teams playing on both Friday and Sunday this weekend. It’s time to race to the wire and pick up all the Canes and Wings you can. Happy streaming!
Carolina Hurricanes-vs. VAN (Fri), vs. ANA (Sun)
As you might expect, you won’t find too many of Carolina’s primary play drivers in your free agency pool, but there is a piece of their first line that’s available in 90% of leagues. Jack Roslovic (C/RW – 10% owned) is currently skating on the first line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, while also featuring on the second power-play unit. The former first-round pick is up to 17 goals in 41 games this season. He played over 19 minutes in Thursday night’s win over the Maple Leafs, registering two shots on goal. Roslovic might just be the safest bet you can make this weekend.
If you’re in search of help in deeper leagues, I suggest reintroducing yourself to 36-year-old Jordan Staal (C – 6% owned). A lack of power-play time caps his upside, but he is skating with Andrei Svechnikov at 5v5 right now. Over his last three games, Staal has four goals, two assists, and nine shots on goal, while also chipping in with eight hits. Don’t expect him to build off his hat-trick performance from Thursday night, but you won’t find a hotter player that’s available in over 90% of leagues heading into the weekend.
Detroit Red Wings-vs. CHI (Fri), vs. SEA (Sun)
The Red Wings offer us plenty of intriguing options this weekend, even if the red-hot Patrick Kane (RW – 54% owned) isn’t available in your league.
Andrew Copp (C/LW – 1% owned), is centering Kane and Alex DeBrincat on Detroit’s second line. He isn’t reaping the rewards of that just yet, but that exposure to one of the hottest players in the NHL is worth taking a gamble on given their matchup spread and the limited options this weekend. The Red Wings are averaging 29 scoring chances per 60 when DeBrincat, Kane, and Copp are on the ice together at 5v5.
Moving down the lineup, J.T. Compher (C/LW/RW – 4% owned) and Vladimir Tarasenko (LW/RW – 6% owned) are skating together on the second line and third power-play unit. Again, given our limited choices to stream this weekend, they are both viable targets, but Compher actually looks to be the more reliable play. The 29-year-old has picked up two points in his last four games while firing ten shots on goal.
If you’re not blown away by the top skaters available to stream this weekend, then I suggest turning your attention towards goal. With Alex Lyon (upper-body) unavailable, Cam Talbot (36% owned) is in line to get a pair of favourable spot starts against the Blackhawks and Kraken. He is already confirmed for Friday’s game against Chicago. After a winless December, the 12-year-veteran is rebounding nicely in the new year. He’s won each of his last two starts, including a 3-2 overtime victory over the Senators on Tuesday when he surrendered just two goals on 23 shots.