Justin Faulk, Aaron Ekblad, and Kris Letang offer fantasy managers key defensive boosts with favorable matchups and potential for scoring and defensive stats.
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy hockey managers to stream, roster or utilize in standard leagues and/or DFS games. Players and goalies highlighted for streaming in standard leagues are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Justin Faulk, D, STL vs. SEA (59% rostered) - FanDuel $5,600
The Kraken have a horrendous PK – only the Canucks are worse – and playing the second game of a back-to-back. This is a good matchup for the Blues and Faulk, who scored eight assists in eight games just prior to the break. With over 100 shots and 97 blocks this season, Faulk is the Blues’ best all-round fantasy option on defense.
Aaron Ekblad, D, FLA vs. TOR (57% rostered) - FanDuel $4,400
Can the Panthers flip the switch in the stretch drive? Their Olympians got an extra day’s rest while the Leafs are playing the second game of a back-to-back with captain Auston Matthews playing his third game in five nights with travel from Italy. The Leafs have an excellent power play but this is potentially a good matchup against a tired team for Ekblad, who can at least provide some shots and blocks.
Kris Letang, D, PIT vs. NJ (31% rostered) - FanDuel $4,700
Letang is expected to play after suffering a broken foot just prior to the Olympic break. He’ll also likely have a new defensive partner after the Pens traded Brett Kulak, but I do like this matchup for the Pens even sans Sidney Crosby. The Devils are playing the second game of a back-to-back and remain uninspiring in a disappointing season. Letang, meanwhile, has quietly put together a solid season with 25 points and will quarterback PP2 behind Erik Karlsson.
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