In a heavy week for hockey, surprisingly, there aren’t too many great options to stream on defense, but volume and opportunity will prevail for you. These are three defense streamers for Week 13.
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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 13
Denton Mateychuk, Columbus Blue Jackets
With Zach Werenski on the injured reserve, it’s a great opportunity for young Denton Mateychuk, who has stepped onto the top power-play unit for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Over his last four games, he has a goal and five points, and has played 26.5 or more minutes per game in each of the past three games.
Mateychuk is at seven goals and 17 points on the season already, without the increased ice time and opportunity on the top PP unit. He’s started to shoot more as he gets more comfortable, hits here and there, and blocks shots regularly, as he also kills penalties. The Blue Jackets still match up against the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins this week.
Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
There is a similar situation with the Vegas Golden Knights, as Shea Theodore is also injured, so Noah Hanifin has stepped into a larger role. He was already the number two on the team, but now he gets top power-play time along with top penalty killing time.
Hanifin has seven assists in the last five games, four of which have come on the power play, shoots and hits a fair amount, and has picked up his physicality recently as well. The Golden Knights have a very weak schedule to close out this week against the Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks, so there are plenty of opportunities to produce.
Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have a rare five-game week, but since it’s Wednesday, they have already gone through a back-to-back. If you haven’t already taken advantage of the Hurricanes’ players, then there’s still a chance as they play three more times against the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, and Devils.
It just so happens Shayne Gostisbehere is injured too, so Alexander Nikishin, the other offensively-minded defenseman on the Hurricanes, is going to get more opportunities. He has already been bumped up to over 24 minutes in each of the past two games, where he recorded an assist on the power play. Nikishin is on the team’s top power-play unit, shoots, hits, and blocks shots consistently. He is a strong all-around pickup, too.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 13 Forward Streamers
Don’t miss out on these strong streaming options on defense for the rest of this wee,k and be sure to come back next week for the top suggestions at goalie, forward, and defense.
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