The holy trifecta of professional hockey is the forecheck, the backcheck and the paycheck.

In fantasy hockey, it’s all about stuffing the scorecard in as many categories as possible. To have your team pay dividends, scouting the waiver wire is crucial.

In the 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Waiver Wire, we’ll take a look at whose fantasy stock is rising, and who you need in your lineup to put your fantasy squad into the black.

2019-20 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Waiver Wire

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Ryan Strome, C/RW, New York Rangers (39% Owned)

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In the 2011 draft, the New York Islanders spent their fifth-overall pick on the eldest Strome brother. He didn’t exactly post eye-popping numbers early in his career, with 50 points being his career-high to date. Since then, he was shipped to Edmonton, before making his way to Broadway, where he now plays for the Rangers.

Strome has recently seen an increased role in the Big Apple, centering the top line due to Mika Zibanejad suffering from injury. Playing on the top unit in New York means he’ll get to play with Russian sniper Artemi Panarin.

Zibanejad missed his fourth straight game on Wednesday night. This is a good situation for Strome who’s trending upward in the fantasy market. In the last six games, Strome has amassed a total of nine points, scoring five goals (two of which were game-winners) while adding four helpers.

He’s also getting minutes on the top power-play unit, scoring a marker on the man-advantage in his most recent outing.

Fox and Stromer. Pretty good duo. pic.twitter.com/thjDXGTgfp — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 7, 2019

As long as Strome gets top-line minutes, he’ll be one of the most undervalued commodities in fantasy hockey. Get him into your lineup right away.

David Krejci, C, Boston Bruins (20% Owned)

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The Bruins’ top line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron is currently the most dominant line in the NHL. With all eyes on the decorated trio of studs, it’s easy for the average fantasy owner to overlook the depth of talent Boston has to offer.

David Krejci is the prime candidate to slip through the cracks and quietly produce steady numbers. Coming off a six-game absence, Krejci has been just that− steady.

The veteran centerman has a goal and three assists in his four games back and is skating on the second power-play unit.

The 33-year-old has proven that he hasn’t lost his step with age. Last season, the Czech tied his career-best in points with 73, while dishing out a whopping 53 assists.

Like a fine wine, Krejci is only getting better with age. Slide this bottle of Jakostini Vino right into your lineup.

Barclay Goodrow, C, LW, San Jose Sharks (4% Owned)

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You’ve got to love it when a grinder can find his way onto the stat sheet. Right now, Barclay Goodrow is that guy in San Jose.

Playing on the second line with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier, Goodrow has found performed admirably. In the last three games, Goodrow has scored a goal and added three assists.

Barclay Goodrow (4) slams one into the back of the net on the rush!#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/A5pmQOBD3Y — HD365 (@HockeyDaily365) November 2, 2019

Scoring isn’t necessarily Goodrow’s forte. In 222 career games, the Toronto native has only mustered 53 points.

He does, however, play with an edge that can help fantasy owners regardless of whether he puts the puck in the net. In the 222 games played, Goodrow has posted 308 hits, while racking up 190 penalty minutes. Recently, in a game against Boston, he logged 17 minutes of sin bin time, bringing his total to 35 PIMS on the year.

Admittedly, Goodrow is a dumpster dive at his level of ownership, but the peripheral stats should make him worthwhile as an add, in deep leagues. Roll the dice on this flyer while he gets minutes on the second line.

Matt Niskanen, D, Philadelphia Flyers (18% Owned)

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In the city of brotherly love, Matt Niskanen has emerged as a top-two defenseman. Attacking D-man Shayne Gosthisbehere has been struggling as of late, which has opened the door for Niskanen.

In the month of November, Niskanen has been solid from an offensive production standpoint. With three assists in the past three games, the veteran defender has been hitting his stride.

The recent output of points brings his scoring total to two goals and six assists on the season. Although these aren’t earth-shattering numbers, what is intriguing about Niskanen, is his time on the powerplay.

Philadelphia is ranked fifth in the NHL on the powerplay, scoring at a 24.1% clip. With such a prolific powerplay, Niskanen has managed to score five of his eight points on the season while on the man-advantage.

Niskanen is a safe play for fantasy owners looking to bolster their blueline, with great upside in terms of power-play points.





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