Fantasy NHL: Under-owned waiver wire players for week of March 19

Who are the under-owned (<40%) waiver wire pickups who could put you over the top in your fantasy hockey playoffs?

With the fantasy hockey playoffs looming, a stray goal here or a few extra power-play points might be the difference between gloating and pouting at year’s end for some owners.

With the dust settled after the trade deadline and teams starting to settle into their final configurations for playoffs or trying out the new blood in hopes of a better result next year there is plenty of talent out there that can help put you over the top.

All stats and owned percentage information via ESPN.

Forwards

Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks – 34.6% owned)

Tomas Hertl was the hottest player in the NHL last week, racking up four goals and three assists, a plus-7 rating, ten shots on goal and five hits in four very productive games. Lining up with Mikkel Boedker and Logan Couture at even strength and seeing second PP duties, Hertl has been the welcome recipient of increased icetime due to Joe Thornton’s recent injury. Hertl has a three-game point streak going and will undoubtedly blow by his career best of 46, as he has 42 at present with 13 games to go. Hertl is a must-own at this point until Thornton returns and could be the guy who tips the scale for owners in their playoff matchups. Don’t sleep on this one.

Chris Kreider (New York Rangers – 38.7% owned)

Chris Kreider’s recent surge coincides with the return of his linemate Mika Zibanejad from injury last week. Kreider has one goal and six assists, a plus-4 rating and six shots on goal in the last four games. Kreider himself was sidelined for most of January and February with an upper body injury, but his recent play shows that he seems to be fully recovered from the setback. With the Rangers sending out Rick Nash, Kreider has found more PP time of late, suiting up on the Ranger’s second unit and seeing increased icetime since the trade. Playing for a Rangers team that signaled before the deadline that they were going to blow it all up, and then proceeded to play some of its best hockey all year, Kreider is definitely worth a speculative add if only just to see if his recent surge is a sign of increased production in the final weeks of the season.

Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres – 37.3% owned)

Sam Reinhart has long played second fiddle in Buffalo. The second overall pick in 2014 has never really had the breakout many have predicted for him after great success at the junior level. He has enjoyed fits and starts of production but hasn’t really been able to put it all together for long stretches of time. It all had to come together at some point for the cerebral forward, and his recent play gives indication that now is the time. Reinhart has three goals and three assists, a plus-1 rating and 11 shots on goal over his last four games, playing without his most dangerous linemate, the injured Jack Eichel. With 29 points over his last 27 games this hot streak is a sustained one, add him with confidence.