Fantasy Hockey: Weekend Streaming Targets – Week 5
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. We will also take a look at some of Sunday’s projected spot starts in goal so you can stash those week-winning goaltenders ahead of time.
This weekend features four games on Friday, 12 on Saturday, and three on Sunday. There are just two teams playing on both Friday and Sunday this weekend. Without further ado, let’s get into it. Happy streaming!
Anaheim Ducks–vs. MIN (Fri), vs. CBJ (Sun)
Essentially the entire Ducks’ team outside of Frank Vatrano is widely available in fantasy leagues. Troy Terry (C/RW – 22% owned) is quietly putting together a productive season. He’s playing alongside Vatrano at 5v5 and the power-play. He’s racked up five goals, five assists, and 27 shots on goal in 12 games this season. He doesn’t have a multi-point game on the year but has only been held off the score sheet twice, giving him a very high floor this weekend.
Mason McTavish (C – 13% owned) and Leo Carlsson (C – 15% owned) are another pair of viable options seeing top-six minutes for the Ducks this weekend. McTavish recently joined Carlsson, Vatrano, and Terry on the top power-play unit and has been making the most of it. The added opportunity is helping him rebound after a slow start. He’s racked up four power-play points over his last four games.
In deeper leagues, you can turn your attention to Cutter Gauthier (LW – 11% owned), Ryan Strome (C/LW – 2% owned), or even defenceman Olen Zellweger (4% owned). Gauthier is producing impressive shot volume but is yet to capitalize on it. Zellweger is quarterbacking that top power-play unit, and Strome is skating alongside Carlsson on the first line. My pick of the bunch would be Strome. He is seeing some heavy utilization and is up to 27 shots on goal through 12 games.
Minnesota Wild–@ ANA (Fri), @ CHI (Sun)
Considering the matchup spread, Marco Rossi (C – 18% owned) is easily the top streaming target on this weekend’s slate. He is still limited to the second power-play unit but is riding shotgun with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello at 5v5. The ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, Rossi is making the most of this golden opportunity, racking up three goals and eight assists through the opening 13 games of the season. It’s worth mentioning that the three of them aren’t actually creating a ton of scoring chances at 5v5 and are producing well over their expected rates, so while I wouldn’t anticipate Kaprizov’s torrid start to the season to last forever, I’m not betting on it coming to an end against the Ducks and Blackhawks. Look for Rossi to continue to benefit from his elite exposure this weekend.
In deeper leagues, you can take a roll of the dice on Ryan Hartman (C/RW – 9% owned) and Frederick Gaudreau (C – 2 % owned). While they are playing some pretty low event hockey, the two of them are dominating possession together at 5v5. Hartman recently returned from injury and has two points in his last three games, and he can also chip in with a few hits. Gaudreau has just two goals and five assists on the season, but all seven of those points have come in his last five games. He should see plenty of offensive zone time given the matchup spread and his line’s dominance at even strength. I expect Gaudreau to stay hot this weekend.
Goaltenders
The Blue Jackets are in Los Angeles on Saturday before making the short trip to Anaheim on Sunday. I would expect Elvis Merzlikins (14% owned) to face the Kings on Saturday, which would leave Daniil Tarasov (3% owned) to face the Ducks. Tarasov comes with a lot of risk considering his struggles this season, but he would have a great chance of taking home the win in that matchup. On the off chance that Tarasov actually plays the front-end of this back-to-back, then Merzlikins would make for a much safer Sunday start and is still available in over 85% of leagues.
The real prize in goal this weekend though is Jake Allen (13% owned). The Devils are on Long Island on Saturday and hosting the Sharks on Sunday. Jacob Markstrom already got a day off earlier this week, so I would expect him to get the nod on Saturday against the Isles, opening up the spot start for Allen against San Jose. The Devils will be massive favourites in that game and Allen has performed well when called upon this season. He boasts a 3-1-1 record to go along with a .904 SV% on the year, and is fresh off a 31-save shutout against the Oilers on Monday. Start him with confidence.