Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Tuesday, Nov. 7

(ranked by matchup)

Antti Raanta, CAR vs. BUF (40% rostered)

Raanta presumably gets the start, though Rod Brind’Amour has pulled the rug before naming Pyotr Kochetkov as the starter just moments before warm-up. Kochetkov was called up on Monday after Frederik Andersen was placed on IR, and with Jaroslav Halak on a tryout right now, Raanta and Kochetkov will be their tandem in net.

Anyway, I like this matchup for Raanta because he’s been playing relatively well – two wins, including a shutout, and one pull in three starts – and his career numbers against the Sabres – 7-4-0, .911 SP, 2.56 GAA – are pretty good. In their past 16 matchups dating back to 2016, the Canes are 14-2-0.

Connor Ingram, ARI vs. SEA (8% rostered)

Ingram will get his sixth start of the season as the Coyotes continue their timeshare. He’s been far better than Karel Vejmelka lately, and I like the Coyotes at home against a Kraken offense that can be hit or miss. I’m pretty confident with Ingram and a much-improved Coyotes squad.

Samuel Ersson, PHI at SJ (3% rostered)

What scares me is that this feels like a trap game. By all accounts, the Flyers should win by multiple goals, but even John Tortorella had his doubts with his squad going 2-5-1 in their past eight games. Still, the Sharks are so bad that I don’t see how they have the depth or the drive to beat the Flyers, and the Sharks are going to have a hard time getting scoring chances with the Flyers doing such a good job at suppressing shots (26.6 SA/GP). This may be the only game I’m comfortable streaming Ersson all season.

Matt Tomkins, TB at MTL (2% rostered)

The Lightning have historically held a clear advantage in this matchup but I’m not so sure with Tomkins in net and the Habs punching above their weight. By all accounts, the Lightning should be favored, but this is the second game of a back-to-back and their fourth game in six nights. We’re looking at probably a sub-.900 SP and a close win.

Jonathan Quick, NYR vs. DET (22% rostered)

Igor Shesterkin’s status is questionable, which means Quick will draw the start with Louis Domingue as the backup. Quick’s numbers have been excellent so far, and despite being tagged with the loss in Minnesota, finished with 36 saves on 40 shots. It’s a little dicey for the Rangers because they’re missing Adam Fox and Filip Chytil, while the Wings are coming off an impressive 5-4 comeback win against the Bruins. A win is in the cards, but Quick’s stats will regress and the Wings offense is dangerous.

Pavel Buchnevich, C/LW, STL vs. WPG (46% rostered)

He’s been a point-per-game player over the past two seasons and continues to play on the top line. If Buchnevich and the Blues pick it up, this is an excellent buy low opportunity. I think the fantasy crowd has given up on him a little too early.

Ryan O’Reilly, C, NSH at CGY (36% rostered)

O’Reilly’s having a renaissance season and coming off a hat trick performance against the Oilers. As the top center on a feisty team, O’Reilly will claw his way onto the score sheet since he’s getting the most ice time and, presumably, most of the scoring chances. Playing with Filip Forsberg helps.

Sean Monahan, C, MTL vs. TB (34% rostered)

Monahan’s on a five-game point streak and while I understand the skepticism, it should be noted that the one major obstacle in Monahan’s way – health – hasn’t been an issue this season. If Nick Suzuki is being rostered in over 50 percent of leagues, then so should Monahan. Both even play PP1.

Jaden Schwartz, C/LW, SEA at ARI (29% rostered)
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, SEA at ARI (19% rostered)

The Kraken run hot and cold but Schwartz and Bjorkstrand have been their two most reliable wingers this season. Schwartz is on a six-game point streak and has more season-long hold potential than Bjorkstrand, who’s skating fewer minutes but also has a three-game point streak of his own.

Casey Mittelstadt, C, BUF at CAR (19% rostered)

Mittelstadt has a chance to stretch his points streak to four games and the Sabres offense is picking up with at least four goals in five of their past six games. The Canes are very good at shot suppression, allowing a league-low 26 shots per game, but they also rank fifth-highest with 3.50 GA/GP.

Marco Rossi, C, MIN at NYI (14% rostered)

The Isles are stingy but you can’t argue with Rossi’s recent usage; top line between Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy and PP1 while averaging over 20 minutes per game. After a slow start, Rossi’s scored four goals and six points in his past six games.

Owen Tippett, RW, PHI at SJ (35% rostered)

It’s a no-brainer, right? Almost every Flyer should be rostered in this matchup, but it’s difficult to parse through the options because there’s no standout offensive player. I like Tippett, though, because he leads the Flyers in shots with 41, and he’ll get more than a few chances against the Sharks. Hopefully, he manages to bury a couple.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, CAR vs. BUF (33% rostered)

The issue with Kotkaniemi – and any Hurricane – is that the minutes are spread out. He can be boom-or-bust with four multi-point games but the Sabres defense and goaltending have been porous for most of the season.

Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJ at COL (32% rostered)

Hopefully, scoring his first of the season is a sign of things to come. The goal came on the power play, so his even-strength production still leaves a lot to be desired, but Mercer continues to get ice time and now centers Ondrej Palat and Timo Meier in Nico Hischier’s absence. The Avs have lost three of their past four with 16 goals allowed.

Lawson Crouse, LW/RW, ARI vs. SEA (19% rostered)
Matias Maccelli, LW, ARI vs. SEA (7% rostered)
Nick Bjugstad, C, ARI vs. SEA (5% rostered)

Strike while the iron is hot. Maccelli’s torrid hot streak continues and he has a change to extend it to eight games. Both him and linemates Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse have been very productive, and all three are worth streaming. You just get different stats; roster Maccelli for assists, Crouse for hits and goals and Bjugstad for points and faceoffs. This can be a great line stack in daily fantasy games. 

JJ Peterka, RW, BUF at CAR (5% rostered)

Peterka’s on a five-game streak and played a season-high 18:24 against the Leafs with a goal and an assist. Both Peterka and linemate Mittelstadt have been very productive and the Sabres continue to lean on their top two lines for scoring.

Cole Perfetti, C, WPG at STL (4% rostered)

The goals aren’t coming but the assists definitely are. Perfetti has failed to score a point in just two games over the past two weeks. Strangely, the Jets’ role players, including Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo, have been more worthwhile in fantasy than some of their best players. Perfetti might be a hold if his scoring pace continues; he was pegged as a breakout player prior to the season.

Joe Veleno, C, DET at NYR (2% rostered)

Dylan Larkin is a game-time decision, and if he doesn’t play, Veleno’s the player to target. He’s usually in the middle six but will get a bump at both even strength and the power play. Robby Fabbri is expected to play, which gives Veleno a slight offensive boost if they play on the same line.

Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, NYI vs. MIN (1% rostered)

A lot will depend on whether or not Bo Horvat plays. He blocked a shot Saturday and did not skate Monday. Mat Barzal shifted back to center and on right wing was Wahlstrom, who sat out the last two games and whose usage has been frustrating because he’s not getting the top-six opportunities a natural scorer normally would. The Wild goaltending has been horrendous, and if Wahlstrom sticks on L1, he’s an option in 14-team leagues.

Conor Zary, C, CGY vs. NSH (1% rostered)

Zary is expected to play after he was spotted at practice Monday even though he had been re-assigned to the AHL. The Flames need scoring from somewhere – anywhere, really – and Zary has answered the call with two points in two games. Despite being listed as a center, Zary will play left wing on Nazem Kadri’s line.

Erik Gustafsson, NYR vs. DET (18% rostered)

For as long as Adam Fox is out, Gustafsson’s worth holding as the PP1 QB. He scored a goal and an assist playing 20:02 – his second-highest total of the season – against the Wild. There’s a lot of trust between him and Peter Laviolette dating back to last season with the Capitals.

Jake Walman, DET at NYR (23% rostered)

Walman’s scored three points in three games and playing PP2 with Moritz Seider. Walman has value in banger leagues but now has wider appear with his power-play points. If he can match what he did last season averaging two shots and blocks per game with a sprinkle of points, he can be season-long hold.