Yahoo Sports NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups Jan. 23 - Spurgeon Expected To Play
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.
Cam Fowler, STL vs. VGK (32% rostered)
Encore? Fowler scored his fifth goal of the season Monday in Vegas, and now the Blues can sweep the home-and-home series on home ice. Justin Faulk and Fowler had roughly equal ice time on the power play in that game, so I wouldn't consider Faulk a threat for ice time.
Mason Lohrei, BOS vs. OTT (12% rostered)
It's the second game in as many nights for the Bruins and they're coming off a 5-1 loss in New Jersey and facing a Senators team that's been rolling. Lohrei has taken over as their PP QB in Charlie McAvoy's absence, and he's scored a goal and six points in his past six games.
Michael Kesselring, UTA at MIN (10% rostered)
Mikhael Sergachev remains sidelined, which means Kesselring sticks around as PP1 QB. He has three points, 14 shots and seven blocks in his past five games. Asides from playing a lot of minutes in all situations, the Wild PK is also one of the league's worst.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. UTA (7% rostered)
Spurgeon is expected to be activated off IR and return to the lineup against Utah. It'll be his first game since Dec. 31. In what has been an injury-plagued season, Spurgeon is a low-ceiling, high-floor fantasy defenseman, meaning he can contribute in multiple categories but doesn't offer any standout value. When healthy, the Wild have used Spurgeon on the power play, and that may be the case again when he returns to the lineup. It's highly unlikely he displaces Brock Faber on the top unit, but Spurgeon could see some time with the second unit, either alongside Declan Chisholm or replacing him altogether. Another bonus for the Wild PP: Kirill Kaprizov is expected to return as well.
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