Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Playoff Pickups and Hot Forwards

Every Monday, we identify valuable players available in most fantasy leagues who can boost your team. We also highlight strong streaming options for the upcoming week.

As the fantasy season nears its end, game schedules and opponents become crucial, especially for those in head-to-head playoffs. While players like Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and Moritz Seider are performing well, the Detroit Red Wings have only two games this week, against tough opponents. Less prominent players with more games might offer better fantasy value based on opportunity. If you anticipate a challenging matchup, consider making strategic roster changes.

This week, ten teams play four games, but only six—Bruins, Sabres, Kings, Flyers, Lightning, and Maple Leafs—play on lighter schedule days. Keep this in mind for daily lineup optimization.

The Hurricanes, Panthers, and Golden Knights start their week on Thursday but then play three games in four days. Managers who can make daily changes might exploit this by temporarily adding players from these teams for those with fewer games or underperforming players.

Forwards

Quinton Byfield, F, Los Angeles Kings (1.4 FPPG, 54.4% Available): Byfield is on a six-game goal streak, averaging 2.7 fantasy points per game in standard leagues, yet is still available in over half of ESPN Fantasy leagues. Add him now before the Kings face the Wild, Blackhawks, Hurricanes, and Bruins this week. Playing with Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore, Byfield is currently a scoring machine.

Nick Schmaltz, F, Utah Hockey Club (1.7 FPPG, 69.6% Available): Schmaltz is known for hot streaks, and he`s in one now. Since a recent break, he has five goals and seven assists. Playing on the top line and power play with Clayton Keller, he’s getting significant ice time and shots on goal.

Mason McTavish, F, Anaheim Ducks (1.6 FPPG, 87.4% Available): Playing with Cutter Gauthier, McTavish has five goals and eight assists in his last twelve games. If your roster is stable, consider adding McTavish next week when the Ducks have three home games on less busy nights.

Casey Mittelstadt, F, Boston Bruins (1.2 FPPG, 80.4% Available): The Bruins play four games this week, including against the Sabres and Sharks. Among Boston`s forwards (excluding David Pastrnak), Mittelstadt, the new second-line center, offers the most fantasy potential. On the top power play, he has a goal and two assists since joining Boston.

See also:

• Dylan Cozens, F, Ottawa Senators (1.6 FPPG, 42.2% Available)
• Ryan Donato, D, Chicago Blackhawks (1.7 FPPG, 70.8% Available)

Defensemen

Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils (1.4 FPPG, 57.4% Available): Hughes has been productive with a goal and ten assists in his last ten games. He also has four power-play assists since Dougie Hamilton`s injury on March 4th, as Hughes now leads the top power-play unit. If available, pick him up immediately.

Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, San Jose Sharks (1.3 FPPG, 99.0% Available): Consider Mukhamadulin for the future, not necessarily this week. He has seven assists in his last eleven games, but the Sharks only play twice this week on busy nights. He should be available for next Thursday when San Jose starts a stretch of three games in four days.

See also:

• Alex Vlasic, D, Chicago Blackhawks (1.7 FPPG, 66.8% Available)

Goaltenders

Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes (2.6 FPPG, 55.7% Available): Add Kochetkov on Thursday before Carolina plays the Sharks, Kings, and Ducks in four days. Likely to start two of these, Kochetkov is 5-0 with a .948 save percentage and 1.19 GAA since February 25th.

Sam Montembeault, G, Montreal Canadiens (1.8 FPPG, 67.6% Available): Montembeault is on a 6-0-1 run since the 4 Nations break, with a .928 save percentage and 1.96 GAA. After a near-perfect game against the Panthers, he deserves consideration for any fantasy team needing goalie help.

See also:

• Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Hockey Club (1.9 FPPG, 83.2% Available)

Short-Term Streamers

Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (1.0 FPPG, 67.0% Available): Jarry has turned things around, going 4-0 since returning from the AHL with wins against solid teams. He could be a good streaming option when Pittsburgh hosts Columbus on Friday.

Mackie Samoskevich, F, Florida Panthers (1.5 FPPG, 91.2% Available): Consider Samoskevich for a short boost while the Panthers play three games in four days starting Thursday. He’s on the second line and getting power-play time, averaging 2.2 fantasy points per game this past month.

St. Louis Blues: The Blues are currently playing well, averaging a league-leading 3.92 goals per game since the 4 Nations break with an 8-2-2 record. Consider adding Brayden Schenn, Jake Neighbors, or Alexey Toropchenko, depending on availability, especially in deeper leagues. St. Louis plays four games this week.

See also:

• Scott Wedgwood, G, Colorado Avalanche (2.4 FPPG, 96.3% Available)