Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Week 4
Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 4. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo. Stats are entering Sunday's games.
Add Pavel Buchnevich
Team: Rangers
Position: RW
Rostered: 25%
Buchnevich is averaging 19:51 of ice time per game - third-most among New York Rangers forwards - and has collected eight points in 10 contests so far this season. He's also skating on the team's first line and No. 1 power-play unit.
If Buchnevich has already been scooped up in your league, it's still beneficial to add another Rangers player. The Blueshirts are one of seven teams with four games this week and all of their tilts come on smaller slate days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). This allows you to set an optimal lineup.
Add Devan Dubnyk
Team: Sharks
Position: G
Rostered: 21%
Turn to Dubnyk if you're in need of goalie help. The former Minnesota Wild netminder has vastly outplayed teammate Martin Jones this season.
| Stat | Dubnyk | Jones |
|---|---|---|
| GP | 6 | 6 |
| GAA | 2.71 | 3.87 |
| SV% | .917 | .876 |
| GSAA | 1.96 | -4.79 |
The San Jose Sharks are a poor defensive team but play in the league's easiest division. San Jose has two favorable matchups against the Los Angeles Kings this week, and it wouldn't be surprising if Dubnyk started both those contests.
Sell high on Joe Pavelski
Team: Stars
Position: C/RW
Rostered: 89%
Pavelski is off to a torrid start, already collecting seven goals and eight assists in eight games. That's clearly not sustainable. The 36-year-old's 30.4% shooting percentage is the highest in the league among skaters with at least 20 shots. He's also notched five markers with the man advantage, but the Dallas Stars' league-best 40% power play is due for some serious regression.
It's probably no secret Pavelski is going to come down to earth at some point, but it's still worth dangling him on the open market and seeing what's offered.
Add Nino Niederreiter
Team: Hurricanes
Position: LW/RW
Rostered: 15%
Niederreiter is off to a hot start, as he's already scored four times in eight games to begin the campaign. The 28-year-old has potted 20 goals four times in his career, but there's plenty of reason to believe he can play at a 30-goal pace - or better - this year.
He's averaging the most minutes in his career (16:18) and making the most of the increased workload. His 1.5 individual expected goals per 60 minutes are not only a career high but rank sixth in the league among qualified skaters. His 11.1 shots per 60 minutes are also a personal best.
Niederreiter is also playing on a strong second line with Vincent Trocheck and Teuvo Teravainen. The Carolina Hurricanes play only three games this week, but the Swiss winger could be a worthwhile addition long term.
Drop Braden Holtby
Team: Canucks
Position: G
Rostered: 71%
It's time to give up on Holtby. He's posted an .888 save percentage and a 3.83 goals-against average in seven games this season. This doesn't appear to be a fluke, either, as he hasn't had a strong regular season since 2016-17 and is now playing for arguably the worst defensive team in the league. The Vancouver Canucks allow more expected goals at five-on-five per 60 minutes than any other club.
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.