Every Tuesday and Thursday, THN Fantasy expert Jason Chen will highlight his best picks to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
Click for the full list of streaming options for goalies, defensemen and forwards.
Goalies
Calvin Pickard, EDM vs. ANA (11% rostered)
Spicy! After turning to Pickard to snap their five-game losing streak, the Oilers are going back to Pickard again to see if they can keep the momentum going. Pickard allowed just one goal on 36 shots (.972 SP) against the Canes and now faces a much weaker Ducks team at home. I really like this matchup for Pickard because it looks like the Oilers offense is waking up, and there might be some ROS value if Pickard keeps winning because clearly there’s not a lot of trust in Skinner.
Pickard is one of Tuesday’s top streaming options with the potential for increased value if he can keep stealing starts from Skinner. Pickard is 7-2-0 since Jan. 1 and 4-1-0 against division opponents this season. It’s a revenge game, too, having lost to the Ducks on Dec. 29, 5-3.
Click for the full list of streaming options for goalies.
Defensemen
Mason Lohrei, BOS vs. NSH (24% rostered)
The increased shot volume makes Lohrei a good option. He’s up to 20 shots in his past five games, which accounts for nearly one-third of his season total. With Charlie McAvoy still on the shelf, Lohrei’s done a good job of generating shots from the blue line.
Darren Raddysh, TB vs. CBJ (6% rostered)
Really interesting that Raddysh skated 6:54 on the power play to Victor Hedman’s 3:51. Raddysh has been in this spot before, and he’s performed well as their PP QB. He notched an even-strength assist Monday against the Panthers and now faces a team that’s been porous on defense, allowing the eighth-most goals per game and ranks 25th on the penalty kill.
Lian Bichsel, DAL vs. NJ (5% rostered)
Bichsel is expected to be available after missing three games due to an injury. If you’re looking for a defenseman to replace Jeremy Lauzon, last season’s hits leader, or simply just looking for hits, Bichsel is your best option. He’s the only defenseman averaging over four hits per game right now.
Click for the full list of streaming options for defensemen.
Forwards
JJ Peterka, LW/RW, BUF vs. SJ (43% rostered)
Peterka’s two-assist performance against the Habs stretched his points streak to five games, and now faces a poor defensive team with even poor goaltending. True, the Sharks just managed to snap their losing streak, but they really had to grind for that win in a shootout and they’re playing the second game of a back-to-back with travel.
Boone Jenner, C/LW, CBJ at TB (31% rostered)
I’ll lay off the horn on the Blue Jackets a little — just this time — and single out Jenner for his four-game points streak. He’s yet to score a goal but that should come soon. Since returning from injury, Jenner has seven assists, nine shots, seven hits, six blocks, 17 faceoff wins and a plus-7 rating.
Pavel Zacha, C/LW, BOS vs. NSH (17% rostered)
Any time you can find a matchup against the Preds, you have to take advantage of it. David Pastrnak’s put together an MVP-caliber campaign after a slow start, and Zacha’s reaping the benefits. He’s centering Pastrnak at even strength and also plays with him on PP1. Zacha has four points in his past four games and the Preds have allowed at least four goals in four of their past five games, all of which were losses.
Click for the full list of streaming options for forwards.
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