Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Saturday, Nov. 25

It's early action again for Saturday's slate, starting at 1 p.m. ET with a clash between the Bruins and Rangers, both of whom are jostling for first place in the league. 

With the Thanksgiving break on Thursday, 14 of the 16 teams in action are playing the second half of their back-to-back. The only matchup not affected by this is Coyotes at Golden Knights with puck drop at 10 p.m. ET

(ranked by matchup)

Casey DeSmith, VAN at SJ (16% rostered)

Even if the Sharks wanted to avenge their 10-1 loss, they're ill-equipped to do so. DeSmith performed admirably in his previous start despite allowing four goals in a loss to the Flames; it was the second half of a back-to-back with travel for the Canucks, who played a roller-coaster, up-and-down game in Bo Horvat's return to Vancouver with the Isles. At worst, the Canucks offense should be able to secure the win even if DeSmith isn't sharp.

Ivan Prosvetov, COL vs. CGY (2% rostered)

Prosvetov has played sparingly, starting just two games and coming in relief two other times. The Avs' lineup is very thin with injuries to several forwards and Samuel Girard will be unavailable indefinitely after checking in to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. However, the Avs offense can explode at any moment, and they've lost to the Flames just once in regulation in their past nine meetings. This will be Prosvetov's first time facing the Flames in his career.

Pheonix Copley, LA vs. MTL (11% rostered)

I like the matchup but I don't like the goalie. Copley was really good in his previous start against the Coyotes, allowing just one goal on 31 shots, but his overall body of work this season (.845 SP, 3.75 GAA) has been anything but good. Maybe this is the game where he really turns it around, otherwise David Rittich is in the minors and chomping at the bit to get his chance. I predict an easy win but the save percentage is unlikely to be any good. 

Jonathan Quick, NYR vs. BOS (35% rostered)

As excellent as Quick has been, this matchup has to be scary. However, the Rangers seem to be in a better rhythm right now and Mika Zibanejad busted his slump Friday with two goals. It's not the best matchup, but the Rangers certainly have a chance to pull off a win. The thing about Quick is that he can be streaky, dating back to last season with the Knights, and he's coming off a 32-save shutout against the Pens.

Samuel Ersson, PHI at NYI (4% rostered)

It's really boom-or-bust with Ersson, although I do like this matchup because the Isles offense ranks 30th in GF/GP heading into Friday's games despite an okay power play that ranks 12th in the league. This is a potential revenge game for the Flyers, who played the Isles on Wednesday and lost by just one goal. 

Jake Allen, MTL at LA (14% rostered)

Even with a 1 p.m. local start time, it favors the Habs because it's only three hours ahead of their usual start time compared to the Kings who usually start at 7:30 p.m. local time. However, the Kings are a wagon and they're much, much better than the Sharks or Ducks, whom the Habs narrowly beat by just one goal.

Daniel Vladar, CGY at COL (2% rostered)

If you really need a start, maybe consider Vladar, but your save percentage and GAA might be better off just avoiding this matchup. Both teams are coming off a back-to-back, but the Flames are playing their fourth road game in six nights. That's tough.

Quinton Byfield, C/LW, LA vs. MTL (39% rostered)

Byfield's quickly getting snatched up in fantasy leagues so don't wait. With a goal against the Ducks on Friday, Byfield extended his points streak to three games right after his six-game assist streak was snapped. The Habs should be an easy opponent to generate offense against. 

Sean Couturier, C, PHI at NYI (22% rostered)

If Couturier fell out of favor, or if you were still hesitant to pick him up, it's justified. But with a goal against the Rangers on Friday, he's starting to score again, and over the past two games has also amassed 14 (!) shots and 22 faceoff wins. In leagues that count faceoffs, he's a must-add in 12 to 14-team leagues.

Phillip Danault, C, LA vs. MTL (17% rostered)

If you need faceoffs and some bonus scoring, Danault's a great option. He's on a four-game points streak and his offensive upside is definitely taken up a notch when he's playing alongside Kevin Fiala. 

Casey Mittelstadt, C, BUF at NJ (16% rostered)

The Sabres are going to lean up front. They played 11 forwards against the Pens on Friday but lost Zemgus Girgensons midway through the game. Assuming they call up a player and play 11-7 again, note Mittelstadt assisted on Alex Tuch's game winner and has a very good chance to eclipse 20 minutes for the third straight game. Considering how weak the Devils are in the dot and their current poor stretch of play, Mittelstadt's going to get plenty of chances to take advantage.

Anthony Beauvillier, LW/RW, VAN at SJ (5% rostered)

It's tempting to just load up on the Canucks' top six in a very favorable matchup against the Sharks. At the top of the list should be Beauvillier, who replaced Phil Di Giuseppe on the top line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser in a lineup shuffle that saw Andrei Kuzmenko sit as a healthy scratch Friday. Beauvillier has scored just two goals on 37 shots this season going into Friday's games, but he's bound to break through at some point. Note both goals were scored against the Sharks earlier this season.

Nick Robertson, LW, TOR at PIT (2% rostered)

Robertson scored his second goal of the season on five shots Friday against the Hawks. This should be a bounce-back game for the Leafs after the loss, and more encouraging about Robertson's fantasy value is the slight increase in ice time. The Pens are always tough to score on but their defense is not deep right now with Ryan Shea and John Ludvig on the third pairing. 

Danton Heinen, LW, BOS at NYR (0% rostered)

All good things come to those who wait, right? Heinen signed with the Bruins on Oct. 30 but he's hitting his stride now almost a month in. He's quietly put up four points in his past five games playing with No. 2 center Charlie Coyle. Once in a while, Heinen will explode with a game where he gets a lot of shots, so there's some upside here even though he doesn't profile as a typical top-six player. 

Erik Gustafsson, NYR vs. BOS (36% rostered)

Getting plenty tired of typing Gustafsson's name every Rangers game, so can we get him to 50 percent rostered? There's no return date set for Adam Fox, and don't be one of those who only pick up Gustafsson just before Fox returns. Gustafsson's fantasy value has never been higher with nine points in eight games.