With NHL action set to resume after an exciting 4 Nations tournament, savvy fantasy hockey managers are scouring the latest player news and trends to get a post-break edge. From goalie shakeups to key injury updates, here are the essential insights you need to surge ahead in the playoff push.
Crease Clarity: Goalie Shuffles to Watch
In fantasy hockey, few positions are as crucial as the netminders. Several key goalie storylines emerged over the 4 Nations layoff:
- Anthony Stolarz returned in top form for the Leafs, notching a stellar performance vs Seattle. He should see the lion’s share of starts.
- With starter Jacob Markstrom still ailing, expect Eric Comrie to carry the load for Winnipeg in the coming weeks.
- The Frederik Andersen/Pyotr Kochetkov tandem is paying dividends for the Hurricanes. Ride the hot hand in this timeshare.
Stash or Sell Injured Stars?
Managers of injured studs like Kirill Kaprizov and Mathew Barzal face a dilemma: stash them in an IR slot or sell high before the trade deadline? While Barzal could be back soon, Kaprizov owners in non-IR leagues may want to float some offers.
“In one-year leagues with limited injury slots, it rarely makes sense to stash an injured star if you’re getting valuable assets back in a deal.”
– Fantasy hockey analyst Pete Jensen
Waiver Wire Gold
As always, the waiver wire is your friend in the playoff push. Here are some widely-available players to target:
- Dylan Guenther (Owned in 77% of leagues): Back from injury and playing big minutes for Utah.
- Thomas Harley (67% owned): Anchoring Dallas’ top power play in Heiskanen’s absence.
- Valeri Nichushkin (38% owned): Always a multi-category stud when healthy. Snag him before he returns.
Kings of the Homestand
An underrated fantasy factor is the home/road split. Look no further than the LA Kings, who play a whopping 21 of their final 31 games at home where they boast an elite 16-3-1 record. Scoop up Kings stars like Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala for the friendly schedule.
Euro Imports Exceeding Expectations
Several European free agents are proving their fantasy worth and then some. Islanders rearguard Tony DeAngelo is logging massive minutes and producing at over a 2 FPPG pace. Meanwhile, Blue Jackets rookie Kirill Marchenko has been a goal-scoring revelation when healthy.
“Don’t sleep on these Euro imports down the stretch. They may not be household names, but the production is very real.”
– Fantasy hockey writer Victoria Matiash
| Player | Games | FPPG |
| Tony DeAngelo | 6 | 2.3 |
| Kirill Marchenko | 35 | 1.8 |
Putting It All Together
Combining these key tips is the recipe for fantasy hockey gold as the NHL playoff race heats up:
- Lean on goalies with secure roles getting the bulk of starts
- Don’t cling to injured stars if you can sell high & improve your roster
- Cycle the waiver wire for gems in great situations
- Target teams with favorable schedules, especially at home
- Ride productive players regardless of name value or draft pedigree
The final months are where fantasy titles are won and lost. Put these crucial insights into action and turn the 4 Nations break into your springboard to fantasy hockey glory.
