NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Player Pickups Dec. 6 - Opportunities For Stankoven, Olofsson

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 can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

Matthew Knies, LW, TOR vs. WSH (49% rostered)

The return of Auston Matthews gives Knies a huge fantasy boost. Since both returned to the lineup, Knies has scored two goals four points in three games, adding five shots and seven hits. Knies is a multi-category threat against a Caps team that has allowed four or more goals in four of their past five games. 

Will Cuylle, LW, NYR vs. PIT (41% rostered)

The Rangers are struggling and Cuylle hasn't scored a goal in four games, but I still like him as a streaming option because he's been one of their most consistent players. He still provides a fair amount of shots and hits and even though the Pens are on a hot streak, they still rank as one of the league's worst defensive teams. 

Logan Stankoven, C/RW, DAL at VEG (37% rostered)

With Tyler Seguin basically out for the rest of the season, Stankoven steps into his spot on Mason Marchment and Matt Duchene's line. The Stars' second line has been easily their most productive this season, and Stankoven might have some rest-of-season value with more ice time and steady shot volume. He notched an assist in his previous game against the Kings, his first point in five games, but this new opportunity might invigorate him a little. 

Bryan Rust, RW, PIT at NYR (32% rostered)
Rickard Rakell, C/RW, PIT at NYR (23% rostered)

Rust has five points in his past four games while Rakell's on a four-game points streak on a Pens offense that has scored at least five goals in three of their past four games. The bulk of the offense is generated by their top two lines, and both Rust and Rakell have the benefit of playing with Sidney Crosby at even strength and both Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the power play. The Rangers have really struggled, losing six of their past seven.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, SEA at NJ (15% rostered)

Not sure what's gotten into Bjorkstrand lately and I'm normally not a proponent of streaming Kraken forwards, but note he's on a seven-game points streak with three goals and five assists. He still doesn't shoot the puck a lot, offers only a modest amount of hits and plays L3/PP1 on an evenly spread out offense, but he might be worth streaming as long as he has the hot hand. 

Victor Olofsson, LW, VEG vs. DAL (3% rostered)

Olofsson can be hard to figure out. He's a supremely talented shooter, but he gets moved around the lineup a lot and doesn't always play top-six minutes. He notched two assists against the Ducks, his first points since returning from injury, and note he skated a few shifts on the top line with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. 

Olofsson played there prior to his injury, but lost his spot to Pavel Dorofeyev. With Mark Stone expected to return to the lineup soon, there will be some competition to see who plays right wing on the top line. Olofsson gets an opportunity here and it'll be interesting to see what he does with it.

Jared Spurgeon, D, MIN at ANA (14% rostered)

I'm intrigued by Spurgeon on PP1, but not enamored since he doesn't normally put up big numbers or have much dynamic offensive ability. I do, however, like the matchup, against the league's 24th-ranked PK. Over the past week, Spurgeon has been their preferred option, averaging 2:21 on the PP against Brock Faber's 1:07 and Declan Chisholm's 0:47. 

Honorable mention:

Ondrej Palat, LW, NJ vs. SEA (0% rostered) - L1
Taylor Raddysh, RW, WSH at TOR (1% rostered) - L2, PP2
Pius Suter, C/LW, VAN vs. CLB (4% rostered) - L2, PP2
Cole Sillinger, C, CLB at VAN (4% rostered) - L2, PP2

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