Straight-up head-to-head category leagues bring their own excitement, where a single goal, assist, shot or hit can swing a weekly matchup. As the NHL season passes its midway point, certain players emerge as category specialists. These “giants” can provide that razor-thin edge in one stat while contributing elsewhere, boosting your ESPN standard H2H roster or other formats.
Most of these players remain available in many ESPN fantasy leagues, making them prime waiver wire targets or trade pieces. Targeting them now could pay dividends through the playoffs.
Goals
Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens stands out with 14.7% availability in ESPN leagues. The young winger has 10 goals and 10 assists over 16 games, ranking ninth in scoring since Dec. 20. His second line with Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen is clicking, and he logs time on the top power play.
Slafkovsky’s hot streak suggests no immediate drop-off. Managers hesitant to roster him might be open to trades. At 21, he’s showing real fantasy value beyond just goals.
Anthony Duclair of the New York Islanders is 95.8% available. The veteran has eight goals in eight games since returning from a break. Paired with Mathew Barzal on a top line and power play, he’s a short-term scoring plug.
Duclair thrives in grooves like this. He can fill in for injured forwards until his production cools. Keep an eye on his role for sustained output.
These goal scorers offer multi-category help. Slafkovsky provides assists and power-play potential, while Duclair adds speed and finishing touch.
In deeper leagues, grabbing them now hedges against slumps later.
Assists
Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators is 22.9% available. He ranks 12th in assists with 19, plus 10 goals, over 24 games since Dec. 1. His sixth-place ranking in faceoff wins adds dual-category appeal.
O’Reilly’s playmaking anchors Nashville’s attack. Trade for him if you need help in assists and faceoffs. Nico Hischier, Sidney Crosby and Dylan Larkin lead the category, but O’Reilly is attainable.
Ivan Demidov, also of Montreal, is 44.7% available as a “see also.” He’s meshing well on that humming second line. His assist upside complements Slafkovsky.
These players boost helpers without sacrificing other stats. O’Reilly’s faceoff prowess is especially valuable in categories leagues.
Target them via trade for balanced rosters heading into March.
Power-play points
James van Riemsdyk with the Detroit Red Wings is 90.5% available. He’s averaging over a point per game lately, with six of 13 on the power play. Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond shine there too, but JVR’s net-front presence is key.
His role makes him a streaming gem. In leagues rewarding PPP, he’s undervalued. Short-term add for category edges.
Dylan Strome of Washington is 22.2% available as another option. Both forwards excel with the man advantage.
JVR’s production fits H2H needs perfectly. Monitor Detroit’s power play for continued success.
These specialists can tip close weeks. Pair with top units for max impact.
Short-handed points
Ryan McLeod of the Buffalo Sabres is 89.7% available. He has 17 points in 20 games, including two shorthanded goals and an assist. Tied for the NHL lead with five shorthanded points.
Buffalo’s hot streak boosts his appeal. As second-line center, he delivers bonuses across categories.
McLeod’s penalty-kill work adds rare value. Stream him while Buffalo surges.
His overall production makes him more than a one-trick pony.
Shots
Beckett Sennecke, Anaheim Ducks rookie, is 55.7% available. He ranks 13th NHL-wide since Jan. 1 with 3.56 shots per game. Eight points in nine recent games show productivity.
Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid dominate shots but are rostered. Sennecke is accessible.
Viktor Arvidsson of Boston is 90.1% available. Trailing only David Pastrnak in Bruins shots last month, with 10 in one game. Four goals and six assists in 10 games.
Both suit deeper H2H leagues craving volume. Sennecke’s rookie upside intrigues.
Arvidsson’s power-play role enhances shots. Short-term edges here.
Blocked shots
Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings defenseman, is 32.2% available. Averaging 2.6 blocked shots per game lately alongside Moritz Seider. Adds points, hits and power-play assist.
Alexandre Carrier of Montreal is 83.9% available as “see also.” Edvinsson’s multi-cat game fits H2H perfectly.
His top-pair minutes ensure volume. Wire grab for defense categories.
Hits
Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers is 24.1% available, third league-wide with 177 hits. Eleven goals and 14 assists, plus blocks. Top-six and power-play potential pre-deadline.
Cuylle’s physicality pairs with scoring. Trade deadline moves could elevate him.
Prime for aggressive managers.
Faceoffs won
Anton Lundell of Florida Panthers is 23.5% available. With Aleksander Barkov out, he’s eighth NHL-wide, winning 458 of 875. On pace for career-high 15 goals, 20 assists.
Jordan Staal of Carolina is 95.9% available. Lundell’s heavy minutes shine.
Vital for faceoff categories.
Goalie wins
John Gibson, now with Red Wings, is 46.3% available. Most wins since Dec. 1 at 15 of 17, 2.12 GAA, .926 SV%. Preferred over Cam Talbot.
Jet Greaves of Columbus is 80.1% available amid coaching change. Karel Vejmelka of Utah 41.8%.
Gibson’s hot streak rides Detroit’s form.
Save percentage
Joonas Korpisalo of Bruins is 98.2% available. Hot in spot starts, three straight wins. Quality over quantity for SV% and GAA.
Joel Hofer of St. Louis 92.0% available.
These goalies stream well weekly.
As the season progresses, these category giants can secure weekly wins. Waiver scavenging and smart trades remain key. Check ESPN resources like the goalie depth chart and player rater for updates. With trade deadlines looming, act fast to fortify your squad for the fantasy playoffs.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.