We’re now in the final stretch drive before the fantasy playoffs. It’s officially crunch time with fantasy managers battling for playoff berths in their leagues. Now more than ever, utilizing the waiver wire to optimize your lineup each night is incredibly important. Below are some of the best streaming targets for week 20 of the fantasy season.
Warren Foegele – LW – Edmonton Oilers
Schedule: vs. L.A., vs. STL, @SEA, vs. PIT
There’s no better spot to be in fantasy than on Connor McDavid’s wing. Just ask Zach Hyman. Now, that’s not to say Warren Foegele is the next Hyman, but he’s recently been bumped up to the Oilers’ top line alongside McDavid and Hyman, which immediately makes him relevant in fantasy. In his first game on the top unit, he posted two goals as well as five shots and now has three goals and nine shots over his last three games.
Even with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins back from illness, it appears as though Foegele will stick on the top line for now. With the Oilers looking at a pretty soft four-game schedule this week, Foegele is worth an add to see how long he can stick getting minutes alongside McDavid.
Shane Pinto – C – Ottawa Senators
Schedule: @WSH, @NSH, vs. ARI, @PHI
Since returning from his 41-game suspension in January, Shane Pinto has posted 10 points and 39 shots across 13 games. In that span, he’s fourth on the Senators for points and fourth for ice time among forwards.
He’s currently lining up as the Senators, second-line centre between Brady Tkachuk and Vladimir Tarasenko. Not a bad spot to be. On top of that, he’s centering their top power play unit. With the Senators set to play four games next week, including two on off nights, Pinto is a solid streamer given his position in the Senators lineup.
Brandt Clarke – D – L.A. Kings
Schedule: @EDM, @CGY, @VAN, vs. N.J.
Has Brandt Clarke finally arrived? After being recalled earlier this month, Clarke has finally started to establish himself in the Kings lineup and show the offensive flair that made him a deep sleeper pick this season. So far, in five games since being recalled, he’s posted four points, 12 shots, and eight blocks. He’s also added on two power play points.
Even though he’s currently still skating on the Kings’ third pairing and second power play unit, he’s still finding ways to contribute. With the Kings playing four times this week, including two on off nights, there’s a good chance he keeps up his hot streak.
Drew O’Connor – LW – Pittsburgh Penguins
Schedule: @EDM, @CGY, @VAN, vs. N.J.
With Jake Guenztel out for the considerable future, the Penguins will have some extra opportunity in their top-six alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. One name that has stepped up so far is Drew O’Connor. O’Connor has posted five points, 11 shots, and five hits across his last five games.
Since Guentzel went down on February 14, O’Connor has skated alongside both Crosby and Malkin at times and has taken full advantage so far, leading all Penguins forwards in points over that span. Any time you can pick up a player with direct exposure to the Penguins’ dynamic duo down the middle, it’s worth it.
David Rittich – G – L.A. Kings
Schedule: @EDM, @CGY, @VAN, vs. N.J.
Is Big Save Dave back? With Cam Talbot going through some major struggles, David Rittich was able to seize the opportunity and has played some real solid hockey of late. Even with Talbot putting in some strong performances recently, Rittich should still see some work in what is now a 1A/1B situation.
Since January 1, Rittich is sporting a 6–3–3 record along with a .914 save percentage and 2.43 GAA. Compare that to Talbot’s .889 save percentage and 3.64 GAA, and you can see why Rittich has been earning more starts. With the Kings slated to play four times next week, including a back-to-back, there’s a good chance Rittich sees at least two games of action.
