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

Defensemen

Neal Pionk (New York Rangers- 6.4% owned)

Sometimes a player just seems to come from nowhere and enjoy significant success right away at the NHL level.  Guys like Shane Gostisibehere and John Klingberg did it in the past, and maybe Neal Pionk is doing it right now. With Ryan McDonagh traded and Kevin Shattenkirk out injured, somebody had to step up and take the reins to quarterback the Blueshirts’ power play. Pionk has filled in admirably with eight points in his last eight games. In his first game with meaningful power play time on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Pionk had three assists to secure his hold on the job. He put up six assists over four games last week with a plus-seven rating and six shots on goal, numbers that had him in lofty company for the week, where he was the No. 3-ranked defenseman in standard scoring leagues. With Shattenkirk still a ways from returning and New York looking to try out all of its options before the offseason, Pionk’s role may just expand again. He has been a guy who put up numbers in college and in the USHL, maybe Neal Pionk is for real, and if so, you want him, you want him now.

Ryan Pulock (New York Islanders – 8.1% owned)

Pulock seems to really like playing against the Washington Capitals. He managed two two-point efforts in back-to-back games against the Caps this week, scoring a goal and an assist on Thursday before picking up two apples on Friday. With five points over his past four games, it’s safe to call his recent run of form a streak. Pulock is not just good for points, either; he is a plus-1 over that span with an impressive 10 shots on goal, so he can help in other categories if that is where you are looking. Locked in on the Isle’s second power play unit he sees moderate usage in all situations and with the Islanders fighting for their playoff lives (and a John Tavares contract renewal) expect them to be all in on winning for the remainder of the season. With Pulock himself an RFA in the summer, he will be playing for a hefty raise the rest of the way, a situation that often makes players play above their heads. All the signs are there for an impressive finish for the former 15th overall pick with the heavy shot.