Fantasy Hockey: Week 21 Streaming Targets 🎯
Using both our Weekly Schedule tool and the newly created Weekly Strength of Schedule Tool, I have identified which teams are the best to target for streaming players this week.
Below you will find some of the top streaming options for the week under 50 percent owned in Yahoo! fantasy leagues. Streaming a roster spot or two can help you maximize the number of games each week and increase your chances of winning the week.
If your team is already playoff-bound, check out our approach to maximizing games played to help you prepare for the fantasy hockey playoffs. Alternatively, if you are struggling to get adequate goalie starts down the stretch run, check out our back-to-back games analysis for the remainder of the season.
The New York Islanders Top Line
Anthony Beauvillier – NYI – LW/RW (7% Owned)
Skill has never been an issue for Beauvillier but he has struggled to produce consistently on a New York Islanders team that is often offensively challenged. Beauvillier had only 12 points (5G / 7A) in 39 games before turning things around and registering eight points (1G / 7A) in his last six games. This late-season production might be a reoccurring theme for Beauvillier.
In last year’s COVID-shortened season, Beauvillier only had six points (2G / 4A) in his first 22 games but as soon as mid-March rolled around, Beauvillier finished the season strong with 22 points (13G / 9A) in his final 25. Typically this type of pattern doesn’t carry much merit but as Beauvillier has been heating up lately and we approach mid-March, it’s hard to not be curious. The Islanders play four games this week and own the heaviest schedule in the NHL for the remainder of the season.
Brock Nelson – NYI – C (22% Owned)
Playing alongside the previously mentioned Beauvillier at even-strength, Nelson is also a fixture on the top powerplay unit for the Islanders. He is coming off a six-game point streak where he averaged 3.4 shots per game and scored six points (4G / 2A), with three on the powerplay. Unlike Beauvillier, Nelson has been significantly more consistent this season, with 34 points (23G / 11A) in 46 games.
Anders Lee – NYI – LW (35% Owned)
The third member of this hot top line for the Islanders has recorded eight points (7G / 1A) in his last four games. Ride these three while they’re hot.
Connor Brown – OTT – LW/RW (10% Owned)
Brown is quietly putting together an impressive season for the Ottawa Senators. He has 33 points (8G / 25A) in 44 games, eight of them (1G / 7A) in his last nine games, and is playing primarily on the top line with Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris. The Senators are scoring at a higher rate lately, averaging 3.4 goals in their last five games (2-3-0). With four games this week against the defensively challenged Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens, they look poised to continue their high-scoring ways.
Jakub Vrana – DET – LW (33% Owned)
Vrana was mentioned several weeks ago as a player that could have a positive long-term impact on your fantasy team as he was nearing his return from off-season shoulder surgery. Now that he is back in the lineup, he hasn’t missed a beat from his point-per-game pace with the Detroit Red Wings last season (11GP / 8G / 3A / 11PTS).
In Vrana’s three games this season, he has three goals and is averaging 3.3 shots per game. Vrana is mostly playing on the second line and second powerplay unit but it is becoming evident that he is capable of generating his own offence and it shouldn’t be long before he works his way up to the top powerplay unit, especially with Robby Fabbri now out for the season. Vrana’s offensive pedigree has never been questioned but in addition to that, he is also averaging 2.7 hits per game so far this season.
Ryan Suter – DAL – D (21% Owned)
If you are desperate for help on the blueline, the 37-year-old looks like a viable fantasy option for week 21. With Miro Heiskanen out indefinitely with mononucleosis, Suter has been playing on the top power-play unit and massive minutes at 5v5, averaging 26:22 TOI/gm in four games without Heiskanen. Going back seven games, he’s tallied six points (1G / 5A). The Stars have four games this week, with games against the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Islanders and Capitals. Suter may not be the 50-point player he was earlier in his career but he can provide some offensive punch in the short-term with the massive usage.