Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report: Streams for Week 5

Here are your fantasy hockey waiver-wire report streams for week 5. Looking ahead at the schedule, we’re hunting for any advantage, whether it’s soft opponents or maximizing players who suit up on slow nights. That one extra game can mean the difference between winning and losing a category, if not your match.

Let’s dive in.

More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

Week at a Glance

Five teams with 4 games this week:

Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets

Seven teams with 2 games this week:

Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights

Best Light-day schedule (fewer than 8 games slated)

Calgary Flames (3), Edmonton Oilers (3), Winnipeg Jets (2), New Jersey Devils (2), Seattle Kraken (2), Washington Capitals (2), Toronto Maple Leafs (2), New York Rangers (2), Philadelphia Flyers (2).

Toughest schedule (based on opponents’ goals-against per game:

Columbus Blue Jackets (2.39 G/gm), New Jersey Devils (2.41 G/gm)

Softest schedule (based on opponents’ goals-against per game):

Toronto Maple Leafs (3.88 G/gm), San Jose Sharks (3.51 G/gm), Anaheim Ducks (3.51 G/gm)

Waiver Wire Streams for Week 5

Matt Coronato (RW, Calgary Flames), Rostered 41%

Coronato is as hot as a Flames player will get right now.  He has seven points in his last six games and is on a five-game point streak. He’s also chipped in three power-play points in the last two games and is averaging 2.4 shots per game this season. His plus/minus is hard to stomach (-8), but the Flames are not good. This is expected. If you can manage the plus/minus, Coronato is a great add.

Reasons to add: Top power-play, three off-night games, five-game point streak

Charlie Lindgren (G, Washington Capitals), Rostered 19%

With Logan Thompson (G) banged up and moved to injury reserve, Lindgren will take over the crease. The Capitals play back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday against the Flyers and Nashville Predators. Lindgren will likely only play one of those games. The Capitals don’t play again until Sunday, when the Minnesota Wild come to town. Together, the Flyers, Wild, and Predators are averaging just 2.46 goals per game this year.

Reason to add: Two off-night games, opponents averaging 2.46 goals per game, Thompson injured.

Dawson Mercer (RW, Winnipeg Jets), Rostered 28%

The Jets play four games this week, with two games on off-nights, giving them a favourable schedule. Mercer is practicing on the Jets’ third line with Isaac Rosen and Adam Lowry, and on the second power-play unit.

Mercer’s selection this week is all gut. Players often seem to get an extra boost after being traded, at least in the short term. With four assists in his first 10 games, he can use any boost he can get.

Reason to add: Four-game week, two off-night games, traded = new lease on life.

Arseny Gritsyuk (LW/RW, New Jersey Devils), Rostered 43%

The Devils have three tough games on the schedule this week. They play the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and the Vegas Golden Knights, all on the road.

Two of these games are on off-nights, guaranteeing Gritsyuk will contribute twice. The primary reason I’m suggesting Gritsyuk is the heater he’s on. He is currently on a five-game goal streak, with two assists. Gritsyuk is now up to nine points in 11 games, all while shouldering third-line minutes and barely getting a sniff of either power play.

With Mercer now in Winnipeg, Gritsyuk has moved alongside Jesper Bratt (RW) and Jack Hughes (C). I also expect him to take Mercer’s spot on the Devils’ second power-play unit.

Reason to add: Seven points in his last five games, a five-game goal streak, moved to Hughes’ line.