Yahoo Sports NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forwards Pickups Jan. 23 - An Encore For Fantilli
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.
Bryan Rust, RW, PIT at ANA (49% rostered)
Evgeni Malkin, C/LW, PIT at ANA (48% rostered)
The Peguins scored five goals in L.A. on Monday but, unfortunately, Rust's three-game goal streak was snapped. He has a chance to get back on track in a hurry against a mediocre Ducks team. Rust is averaging over a point per game since early December, while Malkin has historically been very good against the Ducks with 29 points in 24 career games.
Matvei Michkov, RW, PHI at NYR (48% rostered)
Tough matchup for Michkov and the Flyers because Igor Shesterkin is red-hot with back-to-back shutouts. Michkov, however, has been excellent with a three-game points streak and five points in his past six games. I think this might be a low-scoring game so Michkov wouldn't be my first choice, but he's been a good option lately nonetheless.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, WSH at SEA (38% rostered)
Dubois has scored a goal and an assist in each of his past two games, giving him 22 points in his past 23 games. He's been great in multi-category leagues for his faceoff wins and hits as well.
Conor Garland, RW, VAN at EDM (33% rostered)
I don't know what's going to happen, but Garland is definitely going to be more involved than usual in this game. This is the rare chance for Garland to potentially rack up penalty minutes (for a roughing, or even a misconduct) because the Oilers are likely out for blood after Garland drew a cross-check to the head from Connor McDavid in their previous game on Saturday, resulting in a three-game suspension for McDavid.
Pavel Dorofeyev, LW/RW, VGK at STL (30% rostered)
I really like Dorofeyev as a streaming option in general because he's such a great high-volume shooter. He's also scored six goals and nine points in his past five games, including five power-play points. The Golden Knights are struggling to win games but scoring has not been an issue.
Will Cuylle, LW/RW, NYR vs. PHI (28% rostered)
It's been a while since I've mentioned Cuylle, who went through a 15-game goal drought. That's changed now with a goal in each of his past two games, and in what could be a very physical, heated game against the rival Rangers, Cuylle has a chance to extend that streak and dish out plenty of hits.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Adam Fantilli, C, CBJ at CAR (21% rostered)
Kent Johnson, C/LW/RW, CBJ at CAR (15% rostered)
With a hat-trick performance against the Leafs, Fantilli's going to really pop up on everyone's radar. I've been pounding the table on him ever since Sean Monahan was injured, and that might be the breakout performance we needed to see Fantilli's fantasy value skyrocket. As their top center, Fantilli will get plenty of opportunities against the Canes.
An assist last night gives Johnson four points in his past four games. He won't wow anybody with his stat lines, but he's steadily racking up the points. The Canes are expected to start Frederik Andersen, who still looks a little rusty, and the Jackets offense will be difficult to contain.
Jiri Kulich, C, BUF at CGY (1% rostered)
I have to admit I was very impressed. Kulich stepped in as the Sabres' top center and did not disappointing, registering three points against the Canucks on Tuesday while dishing out two hits and winning nine faceoffs. His ceiling is very high but this is the first game where he's had such a significant impact (he had another three-point game against the Isles earlier this season, but that was a 7-1 blowout win) and trusted to be on the ice in the waning moments of a tight game. He'll likely play the same L1 role against in Calgary.
Honorable mention:
Marco Rossi, C, MIN vs. UTA (45% rostered)
Connor McMichael, C/LW, WSH at SEA (44% rostered)
JJ Peterka, LW/RW, BUF at CGY (29% rostered)
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