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 morning, we will break down the teams and skaters with the most streamer-friendly schedules over the weekend. We will also look at the best spot starts in goal each weekend, highlighting the widely-available goaltenders that could provide the boost and edge you need to win your matchup.
This weekend features four games on Friday, 11 on Saturday, and ten on Sunday, so we are going to focus on the players with the best matchups to target on Friday’s four game slate that can also get you an extra game on Sunday if needed. And of course, we will highlight some of Sunday’s best spot starts in goal that you can look to stash ahead of time. Let’s get into it. Happy streaming!
Colorado Avalanche–vs. CBJ (Fri), vs. PIT (Sun)
Artturi Lehkonen (LW/RW) – 48% owned
Lehkonen is on a tear of late, racking up nine goals and six assists in his last 14 games. He was recently relegated to a role on the second line and power-play unit, which is probably what is keeping his ownership level below that 50% threshold, but you would not know it going off his production. He is still consistently playing around 20 minutes a night, and he and his new line-mate, Casey Mittelstadt, have owned the puck at 5v5 in their short time together. Do not overthink this one. Grab Lehkonen if you are in one of those 52% of leagues where he is available. The matchups are too good.
Casey Mittelstadt (C) – 29% owned
As I just mentioned, playing alongside Lehkonen on that second line and power-play unit is the newest Av, Casey Mittelstadt. Mittelstadt was a reliable playmaker for a much worse team in the Sabres, so it is no surprise to see that production hold up so far in Denver in the form of two goals and two assists in his first five games. Like Lehkonen, Mittelstadt is seeing a ton of minutes, and while he may not offer as much upside as his line-mate, he is available in over 70% of leagues. He is a great option this weekend, particularly on Friday night when the Blue Jackets come to town.
Dallas Stars–vs. PIT (Fri), @ ARI (Sun)
Logan Stankoven (C/RW) – 18% owned
After a red-hot start to his career, Stankoven has cooled off of late, but that plays in our favour this weekend as it means he is still available in over 80% of leagues. He is skating alongside Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn at 5v5, and the three of them have been outstanding together. They are averaging over 38 scoring chances and 17 high-danger chances per 60 at 5v5 with 64% of the expected goals for, but have been unfortunate to score just 50% of the goals when on the ice together.
Because of that, we could see some positive regression sooner than later. Yes, that is right, the rookie who has managed ten points in his first 12 games despite playing under 16 minutes a night has been unfortunate to not enjoy an even more productive start to his career. Given their matchup spread this weekend, it is as good of a time as ever for that puck luck to start bouncing back their way. I am all in on Stankoven this weekend.
Seattle Kraken–@ ARI (Fri), vs. MTL (Sun)
Jordan Eberle (RW) 32% owned and Matty Beniers (C) – 27% owned
Eberle and Beniers are playing together on the Kraken’s first line as well as their top power-play unit, and both are routinely seeing around 20 minutes a night. They are in the midst of a cold streak, but a pair of matchups against the Coyotes and Habs could be just what the doctor ordered to turn that around. Eberle in particular has been incredibly unfortunate of late, finding the back of the net just once in his last ten games despite firing 29 shots on goal. Given the matchups, the volume and the usage, he is a good bet to snap out of that dreadful cold streak and pad your goal totals this weekend.
Goaltenders
With 11 games on Saturday and ten on Sunday, there will be plenty of backup goaltenders sliding between the pipes on the last day of the Fantasy week. There are four particular names that may be worth stashing ahead of time this weekend.
Calvin Pickard – 16% owned
Pickard projects to be a near-lock to start this game. Starter Stuart Skinner will almost certainly get the Maple Leafs on Saturday, which would leave Pickard to be a heavy favourite over the Senators on Sunday. Pickard has performed very well this season, taking advantage of some cushier matchups. He has ten wins in just 14 appearances to go along with a .919 SV%, and there is no reason to expect anything different come Sunday.
Semyon Varlamov – 18% owned
Another backup netminder who is probably deserving of some more work, Varlamov owns a .910 SV% across 19 appearances this season. The Islanders host the Jets on Saturday and the Devils on Sunday. Saturday is an afternoon game, which does cast some doubt over whether or not Sorokin would actually be held out for Sunday’s game, but that would be a surprise move considering the Islanders are in the middle of a playoff race right now. They need every point they can get, and almost have to play the matchups and give Sorokin the game against the Jets. That would leave Varlamov to take on the Devils on home ice in a game where he should be a slight favourite.
Jonas Johansson – 10% owned
The Lightning are in California this weekend, playing the Kings on Friday before making the short trip to Anaheim on Sunday. Johansson’s performance has been rocky at best this season, to the tune of an .888 SV% across 23 appearances, but he looks set up for a dream matchup against the Ducks on Sunday. The Lightning will be heavy favourites in that game. If you are chasing wins and Pickard is not available, then Johansson is probably your next best bet.
Laurent Brossoit – 27% owned
The Jets are on Long Island on Saturday and then travel to Washington on Sunday. Despite taking the loss against the Devils on Thursday, Brossoit is one of the more reliable backup goalies in the NHL right now. He is the proud owner of a 12-5-2 record and a .927 SV% on the season. He had recorded back-to-back shutouts prior to Thursday’s game, and we can now safely project a rested Connor Hellebuyck to be back between the pipes on Saturday afternoon, leaving Brossoit with another favourable matchup on Sunday.