Chances are you’re either in the finals or in the semi-finals of your fantasy hockey leagues. More than ever is it important to maximize how many player starts you’ll have in a week as well as focusing in on what teams have the easiest matchups. Below in my Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 26 article, I’ll outline players that have great matchups this week as well as the teams you should stay away from when picking up players.
Must Adds
Jamie McGinn – LW/RW – Anaheim Ducks
14% Owned
OPP: EDM/CGY/VAN/DAL
Jamie McGinn has been constantly producing in Anaheim to the point where it’s no longer a fluke. He’s found chemistry within the top six no matter who he’s played with and he’s getting a ton of powerplay time. McGinn hasn’t been held without a shot on goal since March 11th. He also hasn’t had a game without recording a hit dating back to February 24th against Anaheim while he was a member of the Sabres. The Ducks have been the most lethal offensive team as of late and there’s no reason McGinn should slow down any time soon.
Radko Gudas – D – Philadelphia Flyers
27% Owned
OPP: WPG/WSH/OTT/PIT
Radko Gudas is everything you want in a stay at home D-man. He’s also everything you want when it comes to filling categories such as penalty minutes, blocked shots & hits. He’s a part of what I like to call the “100 club”. You need at least 100 hits, blocks and penalty minutes to join. Gudas fits right in with 277 hits, 137 blocks and 108 PIMs. With four games on the schedule against teams that shoot a lot, Gudas will have a chance to keep on contributing.
Darren Helm – C – Detroit Red Wings
2% Owned
OPP: BUF/MTL/MIN/TOR
I’ll start by saying this – if you can get Justin Abdelkader (41%) get him instead of Darren Helm. The reasoning for picking up either is the same. Detroit has the easiest four game schedule this week. Helm is getting a great opportunity to play along side Pavel Datsyuk and Anthony Mantha. Helm also has the fourth most hits among all Red Wings (105). Against four very bad teams this week, there’s production to be had.
Cody Eakin – C – Dallas Stars
9% Owned
OPP: NSH/ARI/LA/ANA
If there’s one thing I like in a player, it’s time on ice. Cody Eakin is in no danger of losing his spot centering the top line until Tyler Seguin comes back. Over his last seven games he’s been producing at exactly a point per game pace. Playing next to Jamie Benn and Patrick Sharp, it’s a no-brainer to have Eakin on your team.
Drops
J.T. Miller – C – New York Rangers
18% Owned
OPP: CAR/BUF
If there was a segment called “trap of the week” this would be it. At first glance, J.T. Miller has been producing well. Two goals over his last three games and getting top six minutes. The problem with this is, the Rangers have two games this week and his production will likely cap off at two points at the most if you decide to keep him. Streaming someone who has just two games is just not worth it at this point.
Devante Smith-Pelly – RW – New Jersey Devils
21% Owned
OPP: BOS/FLA/TBL
I’ll be the first to say that the Honeymoon is over with Devante Smith-Pelly. Why? He’s producing at a pace that is unsustainable for most players, never mind a career bottom six forward. Pointless in his last two games as well as seeing his ice time dip to 14 minutes to go along with a tough schedule this week, it’s time to cut ties with Smith-Pelly.
Thanks for reading! If you have any NHL season long or DFS questions, feel free to contact me via Twitter @BESTofMATT
