Fantasy Hockey Daily Roundup — 03/22/19
The Fantasy Hockey Daily Roundup highlights the most prominent fantasy hockey news in the NHL. It provides analysis Monday through Friday on the fantasy implications of the day’s biggest stories.
Vrana, Connolly Top Weekend Streamers
The Washington Capitals are the team to target if you’re looking for players to stream this weekend. The Caps are the only team set to play on Friday and Sunday this week. Picking up a Capital can help you get two games out of a single player acquisition, optimizing your chances of winning your semi-final matchup. Jakub Vrana and Brett Connolly, specifically, make for excellent weekend streamers. Vrana is currently skating alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie on Washington’s second-line and is a staple of the team’s second power-play unit. He’s compiled 21 goals and 23 assists this season and is a threat to score on any given night.
Connolly has quietly put together an incredibly-productive month and a half. Since the start of February, he’s tied for the team lead in goals with 11, along with Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin. Washington’s third-line has looked great since Carl Hagelin joined Lars Eller and Connolly, and Connolly is the one reaping all the benefits. At 19%, he’s slightly more available than Vrana, whose ownership currently sits at 27%.
Sharks Stumble without Pavelski, Couture
Two thirds of San Jose’s first line are questionable for tonight’s game against the Ducks. Joe Pavelski missed his second-straight game last night due to a lower-body injury. The Sharks seemed to be erring on the side of caution with the injury, with Pavelski himself saying he could have probably played if he had to. His presence on the team’s road-trip leaves some hope that he’ll dress tonight in Anaheim. Pavelski’s line-mate, Logan Couture, also missed last night’s game in Los Angeles. Couture sat out with an illness and his status for tonight’s game remains up in the air. The injuries to two of their top players, along with Erik Karlsson, have coincided with a four-game losing streak for the Sharks. An update on the status of Pavelski and Couture will hopefully be made available around 8:00 PM EST when head coach Peter DeBoer addresses the media.
Pacioretty Out; Tuch Moves Up
The Golden Knights will be without Max Pacioretty on Saturday. The 30-year-old is day-to-day with a right leg injury. His status beyond tomorrow’s game is unknown, but it seems unlikely the injury will keep Pacioretty sidelined long-term. With 14 games on tomorrow’s slate, there are plenty of quality replacements available for Pacioretty owners. One player who becomes an enticing play in Pacioretty’s absence is his teammate, Alex Tuch. Tuch will take Pacioretty’s spot on the second line alongside Paul Stastny and Mark Stone. Vegas is averaging 34 scoring chances and 15 high-danger chances per 60 when Stastny and Stone are on the ice. Tuch, a terrific 5v5 player in his own right, carries tremendous upside so long as he’s on their wing. He has 19 goals and 30 assists in 66 games this season and is available in 65% of Yahoo! leagues.
Chabot Set to Return on Saturday
Thomas Chabot will return to the Senators lineup for Saturday’s game in Edmonton. Chabot hasn’t played since suffering a broken toe in a game against the Flyers on March 11. It’s a speedy recovery for Chabot as he’ll end up missing just four games with the injury. With absolutely nothing left to win or lose for, Ottawa will be happy to have their young phenom back in the lineup. The 22-year-old has racked up 13 goals, 36 assists, and 164 shots on goal in 62 games this season.