Whether fantasy hockey playoffs have started for you or you are in one of the final weeks of the regular season, adding the right players are key. You are looking for the top defense options to stream this week, so let’s get into it.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 22
Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild
Jared Spurgeon has stepped up offensively in the second half of the season to complement his already great defensive play. This has seen the veteran put up three multi-point games over a seven-game span, and in the midst of a playoff push, he doesn’t look to be taking his foot off the gas. Spurgeon has one goal and seven points in his last seven games.
What is more impressive is that the captain of the Minnesota Wild has put up four points on the power-play in those games from the second power-play unit. His great defensive play allows him to block shots and even though he’s smaller, he hits. Spurgeon plays on the second pairing as well as the penalty kill. The Wild still have games against the Seattle Kraken and Buffalo Sabres, two teams that are weaker and should allow goals.
Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues
Another veteran, Justin Faulk, has stepped up his games as well, particularly offensively over the past week-plus. He has five assists in his last five games and again, even though he isn’t on the top power-play unit, Faulk has three power-play points in his last three games. In terms of shooting, hitting, and blocking shots, Faulk is a solid all-around defenseman to have on your roster.
Faulk’s role has definitely increased since Colton Parayko went out with an injury, which is good for fantasy hockey managers who need a sneaky fix to their back end. The St. Louis Blues have an advantage for the remainder of the week by playing three more games and have a very good schedule. The team matches up against the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Nashville Predators and is on a playoff push to get into the final wildcard spot in the West.
Filip Hronek, Vancouver Canucks
Filip Hronek’s value might have dropped a little bit now that Quinn Hughes is back from injury, but that hasn’t stopped Hronek from producing. Hughes has been back for three games and has three points and two coming on the power play, but while Hronek’s power-play production has dropped, his production as a whole hasn’t. He still has two assists in his last three games, blocks shots, and hits.
Hronek is on the second power-play unit, kills penalties, and is on the top pairing with Hughes playing a ton every game. The Canucks are desperate for points and to stay in the wildcard spot in the West, so the better players will continuously play more. Vancouver plays the Blues and New York Rangers to close out this week.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 22 Forward Streams
Grab these veterans before it’s too late as their late-season pushes are all making them sustainable options. Be sure to come back next week for more of the top defensemen to stream in fantasy hockey as well.