This is it! Chances are, this is your finals week and now is the time to either win it all or go out with a bang and place as high as you can. Every player I recommend in my Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 27 article will have four or more games this week.
Must Add
Frans Nielsen – C – New York Islanders
27% Owned
OPP: TBL/WSH/NYR/BUF/PHI
Frans Nielsen and the Islanders have five games this week which instantly makes him a must add. More games equals more production. In his last 11 games, his ice time has only dipped below 17 minutes once. He’s playing on the second line while also getting time on the first powerplay unit. Nielsen is nearing 100 blocks and 600+ faceoff wins which makes him a valuable asset. (NOTE: If Nielsen isn’t available and you still want an Islander because of the five game stream – pick up Anders Lee or Brock Nelson)
Marcus Johansson – RW, LW, C – Washington Capitals
28% Owned
OPP: NYI/PIT/STL/ANH
I’m a sucker for triple eligibility and you should be too. The ability to flex Johansson into any position slot is exactly why you should pick him up this week…. And he’s centering Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie… And he’s on the first powerplay… And he plays for the best team in the NHL. Ok, so there’s a lot of reasons why you should pick him up. Johansson is a valuable finals play.
Nick Bjugstad – C – Florida Panthers
26% Owned
OPP: TOR/MTL/OTT/CAR
What an easy schedule the Panthers have coming up. What an opportunity Nick Bjugstad has fallen into. With Vincent Trocheck out for the rest of the season, Bjugstad finds himself as a top six forward again. Playing alongside Jussi Jokinen who has set a new career high in assists (41), Bjugstad will find the back of the net against a very weak schedule.
Morgan Rielly – D – Toronto Maple Leafs
25% Owned
OPP: FLA/CBJ/PHI/NJD
Yes, I know the Leafs are bad. You should also know that Morgan Rielly is in a class of his own when it comes to blueliners in Toronto. Rielly’s offensive ceiling is sky high. Extra time playing with phenom William Nylander will only help him get on the board more. If you have blocked shots in your league as well, Rielly surprisingly has put his body in front of 110+ shots. He has potential to pick up two or more points against his opponents this week as well.
Drops
Erik Haula – C, LW – Minnesota Wild
18% Owned
OPP: SJS/CAL
Erik Haula was such a fun streamer to have while he (and the rest of Minnesota’s third line) was hot. Unfortunately, no matter how well he was producing prior (he’s also cooled off recently), a two game week isn’t going to cut it.
Carl Soderberg – C, LW – Colorado Avalanche
29% Owned
OPP: NSH/DAL/ANH
Look at Colorado’s upcoming schedule and then tell me you’re still comfortable with rostering Carl Soderberg. Soderberg has been streaky lately and he’s not going to heat up against three of the leagues best teams.
Thanks for reading this season’s last Waiver Wire article! Your feedback and comments have been much appreciated throughout the year and I’m already looking forward to next season. I’m happy to announce that starting next week I’ll be switching gears and starting a weekly MLB Waiver Wire article! If you do have NHL DFS questions or need help in your finals week, feel free to contact me via Twitter @BESTofMATT.
