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Fantasy Hockey: Players you need to add to improve in every category

This past weekend made one thing abundantly clear in fantasy hockey: stream a goalie playing against the Buffalo Sabres whenever possible.

The Sabres, who are in the middle of a tumultuous season, have seen things go from bad to worse, as they team were blanked in back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and Sunday. Although Buffalo did get star center Jack Eichel back from injury, there clearly seems to be some communication issues between him and head coach Ralph Krueger. After Buffalo’s loss on Sunday, Eichel stated that he did not get hurt during the warmup prior to Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, which contradicted Krueger’s comments regarding the ailment. Eichel was recently described as “restless” by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman after the team’s shortcomings last season, and Buffalo’s last-place ranking in the East Division this season isn’t doing much to make things better.

If your fantasy hockey team is struggling like the Sabres, however, you’re not lost.

Drake Batherson is on a heater. Go get him for your fantasy hockey team. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Drake Batherson is on a heater. Go get him for your fantasy hockey team. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Goals: RW Drake Batherson, Ottawa Senators (30% rostered on Yahoo)

Over the last 14 days, only Auston Matthews has scored more goals than Drake Batherson. The Ottawa Senators forward is currently riding a five-game goal streak and has benefitted from being demoted to the team's third line. Instead of line matching against an opposing squad's first line, Batherson now benefits from seeing more offensive opportunities as his offensive zone start percentage of 81.82 leads all Sens forwards since Feb. 18, according to Natural Stat Trick. In addition to playing on the third forward grouping, the 22-year-old has remained a fixture on the top power-play unit. Ottawa plays four games this upcoming week.

Assists: C/LW Pavel Zacha, New Jersey Devils (31% rostered on Yahoo)

It really seems like New Jersey Devils forward Pavel Zacha is starting to figure it out in the NHL. The 2015 sixth overall pick has been excellent this season and is currently riding a 10-game points streak. During his heater, the talented Czech has piled up eight assists, making him a solid source for a boost in this category. Zacha has also recorded four goals, so he's not just a one-trick pony. New Jersey plays three games this week.

Plus-minus: C/LW Joe Thornton, Toronto Maple Leafs (40% rostered on Yahoo)

Joe Thornton returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup on Saturday and was reinserted onto the team’s first line. The results, as they have been all year for Jumbo, were superb. The 41-year-old recorded an assist and earned a plus-one rating in a 4-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. So long as Thornton continues to receive top-line duties, he will be an excellent option for fantasy managers looking to increase their plus-minus rating. Toronto plays four games this upcoming week.

Power-play points: RW Alex Chiasson, Edmonton Oilers (1% rostered on Yahoo)

Veteran forward Alex Chiasson was recently placed onto the Edmonton Oilers’ top power-play unit and, naturally, he has thrived playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Over his last four games, the former Stanley Cup champion has recorded three power-play points. Edmonton features the league’s seventh-best man advantage, and as long as McDavid and Draisaitl are healthy, the team’s power play will remain lethal. Chiasson and the Oilers play three games this week.

Shots on goal: LW Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators (22% rostered on Yahoo)

The Ottawa Senators have to be impressed by what they’ve seen out of rookie winger Tim Stutzle. The German sensation is a noticeable force in each game and his competitiveness is impossible to ignore. Although the 19-year-old has potted just one goal over his last 12 contests, it isn’t due to a lack of trying. Stutzle has put three shots or more on goal in nine games during this span and his shoot-first mentality is something fantasy hockey managers can continue to bank on. The third overall pick also sees time on the team’s top power-play unit, so he has the potential to contribute some man-advantage points, too. Ottawa plays four games this week, so Stutzle will be a regular in your lineup.

Faceoff wins: C Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild (32% rostered on Yahoo)

I wrote about Joel Eriksson Ek last week as the guy to add for faceoffs, and his rostered percentage actually dropped despite winning a respectable 29 draws and scoring two goals. I’m enamoured by the 2015 first-round pick’s well-rounded style and it’s clear he has taken his game to another level. His eight goals through 18 games this season have already matched his total through 62 games last year. Centring the Minnesota Wild’s first line, he will continue to make frequent visits to the faceoff dot. Eriksson Ek is slated to play four games this week.

Hits: D MacKenzie Weegar, Florida Panthers (15% rostered on Yahoo)

MacKenzie Weegar is a minutes muncher who plays a physical brand of hockey. Situated on the team’s top defensive pairing alongside Aaron Ekblad, Weegar has thrown 12 hits over his last three contests. He’s also been a decent source for blocked shots this year, as his 20 blocks are second on the Panthers. Weegar’s offensive production has spiked recently, as he’s recorded five points in his last six games. With four games on the schedule this week, there will be lots of chances for Weegar to dish out some punishment.

Blocked Shots: D Ryan McDonagh, Tampa Bay Lightning (15% rostered on Yahoo)

Ryan McDonagh is no longer the well-rounded category stuffer he was a couple of seasons ago, but the 31-year-old can still provide for those who need a shot-blocking boost. The 2007 first-round pick has blocked an impressive 44 shots this year, which is the sixth-most of any player in the NHL. The rearguard has also thrown a respectable 25 hits this campaign. Playing on an elite Tampa Bay Lightning squad, McDonagh has earned a solid plus-six rating through 19 games, so he won’t drag you down in that category.

Goaltending: G Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders (27% rostered on Yahoo)

The New York Islanders have leaned heavily on Semyon Varlamov during the 2020-21 season, as the 32-year-old netminder continues to have success under head coach Barry Trotz and director of goaltending Mitch Korn. After a couple of rough performances earlier in the season, however, backup Ilya Sorokin has put forward some excellent outings and may cut into his workload.

Sorokin has posted a shutout in each of his last two starts, which is surely a big reason why Trotz wants to see the goalie play more the rest of the way. The 25-year-old has posted an impressive 1.172 save percentage above expected this season, according to Money Puck, which is the fifth-highest mark of any puck stopper. The Isles play three times this week, and I expect to see Sorokin start in at least one game.

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