NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forward Pickups April 1 - Jenner Leads Blue Jackets, Leonard Expected to Make Capitals Debut

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

JJ Peterka, LW/RW, BUF at OTT (49% rostered)

Peterka had two helpers in an 8-5 win against the Caps and continues to score at a point-per-game pace since the beginning of March. The Sabres are 3-0-0 edge with 12 goals scored against the Sens this season with Peterka accounting for two goals and two points. Center Ryan McLeod (9% rostered), who centers Peterka on L2, is also a good option 16 points in 16 games in March, as is opposite winger Jack Quinn (3% rostered), who’s on a four-game points streak.

Anders Lee, LW, NYI vs. TB (47% rostered)

Shot volume, and tons of it. Lee notched an assist and five shots in their previous game against the Lightning, and he remains a great source of goals, hits and shots. The Lightning are a tough matchup but Lee will get plenty of chances playing L1 and PP2.

Pavel Buchnevich, C/LW/RW, STL vs. DET (42% rostered)

This is a good matchup for Buchnevich, who’s playing on the same line and power play unit as Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. The Blues are the hottest team in the league facing an opponent that’s been very inconsistent all season. Buchnevich scored a goal in 20:02 TOI, and his role ensures he’ll get plenty of ice time again.

Patrik Laine, LW/RW, MTL vs. FLA (42% rostered)

Considering the post-game scrum in their previous matchup, tensions will still probably run high in the second game of their home-and-home series. That bodes well for Laine because there should be plenty of power play opportunities. The Panthers may start Vitek Vanecek, who has a .897 SP compared to Sergei Bobrovsky’s .906 SP, with another game in Toronto on Wednesday.

Boone Jenner, C/LW, CBJ vs. NSH (29% rostered)

Jenner’s goals streak now stands at four games, and since returning from injury has scored 15 points in 16 games. The Jackets captain has been a huge multi-category contributor with plenty of shots, hits and faceoff wins. The Preds are playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing 2-1 to the Flyers on Monday.

Leo Carlsson, C, ANA vs. SJ (17% rostered)

Carlsson now has four goals in his past three games and may see even more ice time than usual if Troy Terry, who left Sunday’s game against the Leafs, is unavailable. The Sharks are arguably the league’s worst defensive team with a thin blue line and subpar goaltending, allowing a league-worst 3.75 goals per game. This game should provide plenty of offense since both teams rank 31st and 32nd in shots allowed per game.

Ryan Leonard, RW, WSH at BOS (0% rostered)

As of Monday evening, Leonard has not been added to Yahoo’s system yet, but he should be soon. The Caps’ top prospect is expected to make his NHL debut, and he’s a powerful winger who has the ability to score points and play a physical game, drawing comparisons to Tom Wilson. Hard to say where Leonard will play in the lineup, but he’s got both upside in both points and hits. 

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