Risers and Fallers: Finish The Fight

Fantasy playoffs are well underway for those of you who’ve made it this far. I wish you well in your pursuit(s) of glory but now is not the time to get sentimental about players on your roster(s). As I have been preaching in articles leading up to this point, the schedule is your master now. If the asset isn't Kucherov, Draisaitl, McDavid, etc. and they’re riding your bench for three or four days, they must be cast off.

Using my own redraft squad as an example, I’ve secured a first round bye. Utah plays twice next week with the first tilt not until Thursday. I own Logan Cooley, Karel Vejmelka, and Mikhail Sergachev. With Sergachev I’ll stomach the schedule with defense being my weakest position. Same with Karel as I am not about to dump one of my two goalies. Logan however will be axed for someone playing more games or a goalie stream because in a do-or-die scenario this may be the difference.

Many teams have the dreaded Tues.-Thurs.-Sat. slate so turn to the scarce off nights to stream from. At this point your best bets are the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers with games on Friday and Sunday. As far as goalies in particular, target teams in the wild card mix. Think Dan Vladar, Linus Ullmark, Darcy Kuemper, Jet Greaves, etc.

Risers

Scott Wedgewood

Although MacKenzie Blackwood has gotten the past two starts, the 33-year-old journeymen has been the better of the two lately with four quality starts in his last six nods. If you don’t outright own the tandem this has been a well documented power struggle all season as neither has been abysmal enough for the other to take the reins.

My assumption regardless is Jared Bednar will be looking to cement the crease situation over the final month of the regular season one way or the other. Scott’s availability on the wire may be scarce if nonexistent in your league(s) but for those who have him as an option, keep in mind that the week of 3/30, Colorado plays four times. Three of those tilts happen to fall on off nights.

Joel Hofer

The 25-year-old has officially begun his starter era in the Music City. Perhaps the hottest goalie in the league over the past month, Jordan Binnington has clearly taken the backseat. And rightfully so, as Hofer has posted seven quality starts over his last seven calls to the crease.

Hofer is someone to prioritize next week should you advance as St. Louis plays all four of their games on off nights. Although they’re all on the road, I foresee him starting at least three of these games. He’d be an excellent under-the-radar target on a perceived middling Blues squad that’s actually 7-1-2 in their last ten games.

Alex Lyon/Ukko Pekka Luukonen

That both of these goalies are under 60% ownership on Yahoo, despite the months-long dominance of the Sabres, just goes to show how Buffalo's decade of despair still taints perceptions.

If you have an ability to own the tandem all this time later, for the love of all that’s holy, scoop them up. If only one is available, particularly Lyon, do not hesitate to grab him. This isn’t really about the performances of the goalies themselves which are solid nonetheless. It’s the dominance of this team that you can bank on leading to solid goaltending performances.

Fallers

Philip Grubauer

For a month spanning late December through late January, the German was playing the best hockey of his time in Seattle. Riding high going into the Olympics, elimination by Team USA must’ve taken the wind out of his sails, because boy has he stunk up the joint since.

Only one quality start over the course of the month since the return to play means he’s back to being a grossly overpaid mediocre netminder. This crease may always be a timeshare of some fashion while the 34-year-old is under contract but I really would only use him against a truly bad team the likes of Vancouver or the Rangers.

Jake Allen

The New Jersey Devils backup may forget how to play his position if he continues to barely get started as the season dwindles. Yet another disappointing campaign for a squad that goes as far as Jack Hughes takes them, the former St. Louis Blue is cashing checks riding the pine.

He’s had three starts since the return from the Olympics, one being so Jacob Markstrom could rest after defending the pipes for Team Sweden. Three whole weeks passed before he saw another game. Tough to justify stream potential when he’s not getting starts.

Nikita Tolopilo

The 25-year-old Belarusan had three excellent starts in late January but reality must’ve set in after as he realized he was playing for the lowly Canucks. He’s not had a quality start since said stretch with chances the trend continues being strong to close out the campaign.

Really not much more to ponder here. This is the worst squad in the league so him being deployed for fantasy purposes would be an extremely dicey play during playoffs any way you slice it. Perhaps brighter days are ahead but they’re not going to be this season.

Other Thoughts

Sam Carrick has five goals in nine games since arriving in Buffalo at the deadline.

Gabriel Landeskog picking up right where he left off prior to this most recent injury stint.

Target Rangers this week, Blues the next week for their optimal off-night schedule.

Marco Rossi is worth a look while he’s hot but this may be a breakout too.

Anze Kopitar is reborn with Artemi Panarin in the fold.

Artyom Levshunov is running PP1 in Chicago if you need PP exposure on your blue line.

Kaiden Guhle finally looks healthy, would make a great depth add for your blue line if you need grit cats.

Dan Vladar is the zero goalie strategy MVP of the year.

Frederik Andersen is taking back the crease in Carolina.

What more does Egor Chinakhov need to do to raise his ownership %?!?!