The Super Bowl marks a key point in the NHL fantasy league season as we enter the final stretch of the regular season with teams lining up to make their push towards the playoffs. Whether it’s contending for a first-place finish or trying to lock up a postseason position, staying on top of the waiver wire and streaming productive players could be the key to accomplishing your goal. Here is a look at the top NHL fantasy waiver wire options for this week.
LW/RW – Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild
Zucker has thrived on a line with Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund this season and his consistency has led to him being picked up in around 45% of most NHL fantasy leagues. Zucker had two assists in Saturday’s win over Vancouver and now has two goals, four assists and a plus-six rating over the course of a four-game point streak. With 16 goals and 38 points in 51 games this season, Zucker should definitely be owned in the majority of NHL fantasy leagues heading in to a busy week with four games on the schedule.
LW/RW – Victor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators
Speaking of underrated wingers with dual-position eligibility and a busy schedule this week, Arvidsson should be an excellent option. Nashville plays four games this week and Arvidsson has been absolutely on fire of late with three goals and four assists over his last eight games. Slotted in on the Predators’ top line with Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg, Arvidsson should be a solid waiver wire option for this week.
The Predators are coming off a loss but have been on a bit of roll of late. They have pieced together a 6-3-1 stretch over their last 10 games and have moved into third place in the Central Division standings.
LW – Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins only play three games this week but their schedule features favorable matchups versus the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes so the opportunity is there for a big week. Kunitz was recently moved back to Pittsburgh’s top line next to Sidney Crosby and he delivered with two assists in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Kunitz might not be an elite fantasy winger but as long as he continues to play with Crosby he should be a strong option that could still be available on your fantasy hockey league waiver wire.
The Pens are the league’s most elite offense, which is why you should continue to look to them for NHL fantasy purposes. They have scored 184 goals so far this season in 51 games. Only three other teams in the NHL have scored more than 170, so that gives you some perspective on how good they’ve been.
C – Paul Stastny, St. Louis Blues
St. Louis plays four games this week and that should mean plenty of opportunity for the team’s top center in Stastny. The veteran pivot is up to 14 goals and 32 points in 51 games this season including 14 points in his last 15 games. Stastny should continue to produce on a line with Alex Steen and David Perron so consider him a strong waiver wire option if he is still available in your fantasy hockey league.
Remember that the Blues have fired head coach Ken Hitchcock, so they are going to be doing some reshuffling. Stastny is a player that could benefit from that – as well as the entire team since they’ve been underachieving – so don’t be surprised if his NHL fantasy arrow points up the rest of the season.
G – Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
There aren’t many quality goaltending options on the waiver wire right now but Howard is one of them with a good chance he returns from a knee injury this week. Howard was 5-7-1 with a 1.96 goals against average and a .934 save percentage in 17 games before he got hurt an while his win percentage could be better his other numbers are excellent and he could provide the spark Detroit needs this week. The Red Wings are trying to claw back in to a playoff position so they will lean heavily on Howard once he returns.
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