With the midway mark of the fantasy hockey league regular season right around the corner the competition level is set to ramp up again this week with GM’s fighting for as many points as possible before we enter the second half. While Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid continue to light it up, you can definitely help you cause by grabbing an underrated option off the waiver wire and plugging him in to your lineup. Here is a look at the top NHL waiver wire pickups for this week.
C: Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens
Plekanec has been slotted on the top line in Montreal following injuries to Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais and his production has ramped up ever since. Playing on a line with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, Plekanec has a goal and six points over his last three games including a four-point performance in a 10-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Plekanec might not score a ton of goals but he should continue to produce as long as he is playing with Pacioretty and Radulov.
The Canadiens have been especially strong at home this season where they are 14-1-1. Plekanec is an even better option when the Habs are at the Bell Centre but either way, he’s someone you want to consider adding to your NHL fantasy roster.
W: Robby Fabbri, St. Louis Blues
Nobody has been hotter for the Blues than Fabbri of late as he has three goals and five points over his last three games. The 2014 first round pick is up to eight goal and 17 points in 28 games this season and right now he is playing on a line with Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko while also getting prime minutes on the top powerplay in St. Louis. The Blues will visit Nashville before returning home for games against New Jersey and Chicago so Fabbri should benefit from a decent schedule as he looks to stay hot this week. The Blues are currently in second place in the Western Conference standings. Their 36 points trails only the Chicago Blackhawks, who lead the way with 40 points.
G: Scott Darling, Chicago Blackhawks
While his value will eventually diminish once Corey Crawford returns following his appendectomy, Darling is performing at a high level in the No. 1 role for the Blackhawks right now and is worth taking a chance on in fantasy hockey leagues. Darling has registered back-to-back wins for Chicago while stopping 59 of the 61 shots that he has faced over his last two starts and as long as the team in front of him continues to play at a high level he should continue to shine.
D: Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh Penguins
Remember when the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Justin Schultz at the trade deadline last year? They were just taking a flier on a guy who really didn’t fit his previous team. However, in Pittsburgh, he’s found a home.
Schultz had his five-game point streak snapped on Saturday against Tampa Bay but he has three goals and eight points over his last 14 days and he is in a prime position to continue to perform in a loaded Pittsburgh lineup that has plenty of star talent. The Penguins are performing at a high level right now and their schedule features four games this week including three on home ice. Schultz is playing decent minutes including secondary powerplay time so he could be a strong option if you need help on defense this week.
C: Bryan Little, Winnipeg Jets
Little has had trouble staying healthy over the years but he returned to the Jets lineup at the beginning of December and he has produced at a high level since his comeback. Little has three goals and six points in seven games since returning to the Winnipeg and he has fit in nicely on the second line with rookie sensation Patrik Laine and another young gun in Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets only play twice this week with games on Thursday and Sunday but Little could be a sneaky good waiver wire option in the short term as well as in the long term if he can stay healthy.
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