The penultimate scoring period of the fantasy hockey season is here, with the regular season wrapping up on April 16. Weekly lineup leagues have just this week starting March 30 and next Monday, April 6, left to make crucial moves. Schedule quirks, depth changes and injuries remain key factors in final roster tweaks.
Sean Allen highlights waiver-wire gems and streamers to help push teams over the finish line. These picks target lesser-rostered players with upside across formats.
Forwards
Troy Terry of the Anaheim Ducks stands out at 1.83 fantasy points per game (FPPG), available in 49.0% of leagues. The Ducks play on the lighter nights—Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday—ideal for daily leagues. Terry has been productive on the top line and power play when healthy, despite injury hiccups.
Anthony Mantha with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1.68 FPPG, 57.6% available) benefits from a five-game week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin day-to-day, Mantha slots up the depth chart, including power play. Penguins’ quantity edge makes him a safe weekly add.
Patrick Kane (Detroit Red Wings, 1.62 FPPG, 59.2% available) is heating up with eight points in six games. Mostly even-strength production with Alex DeBrincat, balanced by Andrew Copp at center. His top-unit role adds reliability.
Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues, 1.63 FPPG, 77.7% available) shines on the top line with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway. He’s paced at 2.50 FPPG over 10 games and ranks top-50 skaters in points since March. The Blues’ surprising form keeps him hot. For more on emerging Blues talent, check our recent analysis on fantasy hockey pickups for playoff pushes.
Bobby McMann (Seattle Kraken, 1.69 FPPG, 73.4% available) has exploded post-trade from Toronto: seven goals, four assists in eight games, 15th in skater points since March 14. Up to 20 minutes lately, he’s the hottest deadline scoop.
Connor Brown (New Jersey Devils, 1.26 FPPG, 95.8% available) gets top power-play time against four bottom-third opponents in power-play goals allowed. Deeper leagues value his matchup upside.
Anton Frondell (Chicago Blackhawks, 1.97 FPPG, 86.8% available) debuts strong with four assists in four games, linking with Connor Bedard on the power play.
Other notables include Alexis Lafreniere (New York Rangers, 1.67 FPPG), who’s been a consistent add in recent weeks—as covered in our matchup-based pickups post alongside Troy Terry. Also watch Calum Ritchie, William Eklund, Pavel Zacha, Egor Chinakhov, Eetu Luostarinen and Gage Goncalves.
Defense
Philip Broberg (St. Louis Blues, 1.26 FPPG, 89.8% available) reclaimed the power-play quarterback role post-trade deadline. Facing Sharks, Kings and Ducks—high power-play goal allowances—before Colorado, his opportunity aligns with matchups.
Rasmus Sandin (Washington Capitals, 1.60 FPPG, 93.2% available) balances peripherals without extremes, nearing 20 minutes per game steadily.
Carter Yakemchuk (Ottawa Senators, 1.80 FPPG, 97.0% available) runs the power play with Thomas Chabot shut down and Jake Sanderson sidelined. Opportunity may be short if Sanderson returns soon.
These defensemen offer steady volume in a thin waiver landscape, complementing offensive pushes.
Goalies
Jakub Dobes (Montreal Canadiens, 2.34 FPP60, 67.2% available) splits with Jacob Fowler after a tough Lightning start, then faces Rangers and Devils home-and-home. Sam Montembeault absent since March 6.
Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth, 1.92 FPP60, 38.9% available) has two non-back-to-back games against strong matchups, including Vancouver (top for opponent goalie FPPG).
Adin Hill (Vegas Golden Knights, -0.13 FPP60, 47.9% available) is risky lately but faces elite matchups in Vancouver and Calgary. Coaching change or Carter Hart return could shift dynamics.
Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues, 2.79 FPP60, 74.8% available) rounds out streaming options. Check ESPN’s daily lines and player rater for updates.
Looking ahead
One scoring period remains after this: April 6 to 16. Western teams lead skater schedules: Sharks, Canucks, Avalanche, Blues and Kraken. Avoid Buffalo, Rangers, Bruins, Capitals and Dallas.
Goalie schedules favor Sharks, Avalanche, Kings, Ducks and Kraken; Sharks have three back-to-backs. Toughest: Lightning, Islanders, Blue Jackets, Rangers, Bruins.
For daily leagues, Ducks-Rangers, Bruins-Sharks combos maximize unique days. Ducks average fewest opponents per night (14.78), Sharks lead quantity at 11 games.
Prioritize schedule strength and these pickups to clinch titles—hustle to the wire.
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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.