NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forwards and Defensemen - Tuesday, Nov. 28

Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJ vs. NYI (22% rostered)

Mercer has been disappointing this season but he's also now playing in a great spot on Jack Hughes' line opposite Tyler Toffoli. Mercer saw a spike in usage and shot volume when Hughes and Nico Hischier were injured, but he's stayed with the top six upon their returns. Mercer's offensive production remains sparse, though he scored two points in his previous game. If Mercer can't produce in this spot, he might as well be an afterthought for the rest of the season. 

Gustav Nyquist, LW, NSH vs. PIT (13% rostered)

Nyquist's goal on Sunday against the Jets pushed his points streak to eight games on what has been one of the league's hottest lines with Ryan O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg. The Pens are very thin right now with numerous injuries, and Nyquist's increased shooting rate with L1 and PP1 deployment makes him very attractive. 

Cole Perfetti, C, WPG vs. DAL (25% rostered)

Perfetti's breakout season continues. He scored his seventh of the season Sunday against the Preds, and he's now just one goal away from tying last season's career-high total in 30 fewer games. He's now scored 17 points in 20 games this season. 

Matthew Knies, LW, TOR vs. FLA (21% rostered)

The Panthers are coming off a taxing, penalty-filled game against the Sens while the Leafs have not played since Saturday. Knies has scored two goals in his past three games and he'll get a slight fantasy boost with William Nylander, arguably the Leafs' best player this season, now playing on his line with Auston Matthews. The Panthers are expected to start backup Anthony Stolarz. 

Wyatt Johnston, C, DAL at WPG (37% rostered)

Johnston's coming off a two-goal performance and put at least three shots on goal in each of his past six games. With Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin slowing down again, look for Johnston's line to provide the secondary offense. If the Stars need a spark on offense, Jason Robertson might join Johnston's line. 

Lawson Crouse, LW/RW, ARI vs. TB (37% rostered)

Crouse has scored all 10 of his goals in November, including five goals in his past six games, and his line with Nick Bjugstad and Matias Maccelli continues to be very consistent. The Lightning are playing the second half of a back-to-back with travel from Colorado and will be starting backup Jonas Johansson, whose play has ranged from awful to average this season. 

Philipp Kurashev, C, CHI vs. SEA (5% rostered)

Kurashev's five-game points streak was snapped Sunday against the Blues, but he remains Connor Bedard's right winger on the top line. As long as Kurashev stays there, he'll retain fantasy value just by passing the puck as often as he can to Bedard. Since returning from injury, Kurashev's scored 12 points in 13 games. 

Owen Tippett, RW, PHI vs. CAR (43% rostered)

It's a numbers game against the Canes; though they don't allow a lot of shots, a fair number of them go in, which means the Flyers should throw as many pucks on net as they can. Of the Flyers' forwards, Tippett has the best chance to get on the board with a team-leading 68 shots. His four-game goal drought matches the second-longest stretch of this young season and he's due to score soon with 13 shots during that span. 

Jake Neighbours, LW, STL at MIN (4% rostered)

This is a good time to strike while the Wild gather their bearings under new head coach John Hynes. Neighbours usage has climbed steadily over the past week, playing a season-high 17:32 on Sunday against the Hawks and also scored his fifth goal in five games. 

Mattias Ekholm, D, EDM vs. VEG (19% rostered)

There's no coincidence that Ekholm's point production has spiked with Connor McDavid going on a tear. The Knights are playing the second half of a back-to-back while Ekholm has scored four points in his past six games. 

Honorable Mentions:

Ondrej Palat, LW, NJ vs. NYI (3% rostered)
Marco Rossi, C, MIN vs. STL (5% rostered)
Noel Acciari, C/RW, PIT at NSH (2% rostered)
Drew O'Connor, LW, PIT at NSH (0% rostered)