Welcome back to the weekly Fantasy Hockey waiver wire article. We’ll be taking a look at the teams with the most favorable fantasy hockey schedules and the fantasy hockey waiver wire.
It’s the final week of February, and things are going to start to ramp up across the league. This week, the NHL has a relatively normal fantasy hockey schedule, with most teams playing on Tuesday (12 games), Thursday (12), and Saturday. That leaves Monday (four), Wednesday (two), Friday (three), and Sunday (six) as the four lighter nights to target this week.
Optimizing your lineup is important in any fantasy sports league, and fantasy hockey is no different. Given the NHL’s unbalanced scheduling, there are certain teams that have better schedules on certain weeks throughout the year.
If you are in a shallower or deeper league –– or just have a question or comment –– feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@RGilbertSOP) or in the SGPN Discord!
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Fantasy Hockey Schedule Week 20: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
The Edmonton Oilers and Washington Capitals are the only two teams that play on at least three lighter nights this week. They also play one other night to bring their total up to four games.
Edmonton Oilers
- Monday vs. LAK
- Wednesday vs. STL
- Saturday @ SEA
- Sunday vs. PIT
The Oilers are a top-heavy team, with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all rostered in at least 97% of leagues. There are still a few diamonds in the rough worth a look at during this busy week.
Mattias Ekholm (D – 48% Rostered)
Mattias Ekholm barely makes the cut for this article, and we should see his rostered percentage rise this week. He’s on the top pair with Bouchard and plays nearly 21 minutes a night.
Ekholm isn’t necessarily known for his offense, but he’s had a hot hand recently, with five points in his last five games. He’s also capable of filling up the stat sheet with hits and blocked shots.
Warren Foegele (LW, RW – 9% Rostered)
Warren Foegele is getting a crack on the top line with McDavid and Hyman. He’s also on the second power-play unit, although they don’t necessarily get too much time.
Foegele has three goals in his last four games and has a knack for picking up points in bunches. He should be able to leech a few points this week, given the Oilers’ favorable schedule.
Corey Perry (RW – 10% Rostered)
Veteran winger Corey Perry has been finding his way in Edmonton. After just one point (an assist) in his first five games with the Oilers, Perry has three goals and an assist in his last six games.
Perry is also on the second power-play unit and in the top six, playing with Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins on the second line.
Washington Capitals
- Monday vs. OTT
- Tuesday @ DET
- Friday vs. PHI
- Sunday vs. ARI
Speaking of top-heavy, the Capitals have Alex Ovechkin (95%) and John Carlson (91%) as the only two players over 42% rostered.
Dylan Strome (C – 29% Rostered)
Former third-overall pick Dylan Strome is taking advantage of some unfortunate circumstances in Washington. He’s been one of the Caps’ only consistent centers this season. Strome is currently centering the second line with Anthony Mantha and Tom Wilson while holding down the center spot on the top power-play unit.
Strome has 42 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games this season. He’s currently riding a four-game point streak (seven points total) with 14 points in his last 11 games as well.
Connor McMichael (C – 1% Rostered)
For those of you in the deepest of leagues, give Connor McMichael a chance. He’s centering the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicolas Aube-Kubel and centers the second power-play unit as well.
McMichael had back-to-back two-goal games last week and now has seven points (five goals) in his last eight games.
