The fantasy hockey playoffs are here! Welcome back to the weekly Fantasy Hockey waiver wire article. We’ll be looking at the teams with the most favorable fantasy hockey schedules and the fantasy hockey waiver wire.
The NHL has its typical schedule this week with an added bonus on Sunday. Most teams play on Tuesday (13 games), Thursday (11), and Saturday (11) as well as Sunday (10). That leaves Monday (two games), Wednesday (three), and Friday (four) as the lighter nights we’ll be targeting this week.
Optimizing your lineup is important in any fantasy sports league, and fantasy hockey is no different. Given the NHL’s unbalanced scheduling, certain teams 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!
Subscribe to the Hockey Gambling Podcast
Go here for more daily free NHL picks!
Fantasy Hockey Schedule Week 23: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
The Washington Capitals are the main team to target this week as they’re the only one to play on all three lighter nights as well as Sunday. The Seattle Kraken also play four times this week with two games on lighter nights.
Washington Capitals
- Monday @ CGY
- Wednesday vs. TOR
- Friday vs. CAR
- Sunday vs. WPG
Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson are the only Capitals players rostered in more than half of leagues, so we have a wide net to choose from.
Dylan Strome (C – 39% Rostered)
Strome has gone cold over the past week, with no points in his last four games. However, all four of those games were on the road, where the second-line center has 24 points in 34 games as opposed to 27 points in 32 home games.
He had 23 points in 17 games prior to this little cold stretch, so he’s capable of getting hot. He’s still on the top power-play unit for the Capitals as well.
Tom Wilson (RW – 46% Rostered)
Wilson is on the second line with Strome and has three goals in his last five games. He’s been battling an injury, though, so make sure you keep an eye on his status.
Connor McMichael (C – 7% Rostered)
McMichael is taking advantage of his opportunity on the top line with Ovechkin. He’s riding a three-game point streak and has 12 points (seven goals) in his last 18 games overall. He’s available in most leagues and could give you a crucial few points this week.
Seattle Kraken
- Monday vs. BUF
- Thursday @ VGK
- Friday @ ARI
- Sunday vs. MTL
The Kraken also only have two players rostered in more than half of leagues: Vince Dunn and Jared McCann.
Jordan Eberle (RW – 32% Rostered)
Eberle plays on the top line and power-play unit for the Kraken as one of their veterans. He’s in a bit of a cold stretch with just two points in his last eight games following a hot streak of seven points in as many games.
The Kraken should be able to put up some goals this week against the likes of the Coyotes and Canadiens later in the week. Give Eberle a look in deeper leagues.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (RW – 32% Rostered)
Bjorkstrand is another 32-percent rostered right winger worth a look this week. He’s riding a three-game point streak on the second line and has seven points (five goals) in his last nine games.