Welcome all to the second half of the NHL season, right now in most leagues the trade deadline is either approaching or passed. It's now all about jockeying for playoff position, let's dive in and try to swing a matchup or two in your favor this week. 

The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers (Available in 97% of ESPN leagues, 75% Fantrax, 94% Yahoo) – Another schedule play here as Edmonton plays five times next week. Yes, it is Edmonton who have been in the news recently for all the reasons you don't want to be, but games will still need to be played. With five games and the goalie landscape being what it is in most leagues, I think Skinner could be a perfect add for this upcoming string of games.  

So, let's break this down, with Mikko Koskinen in COVID-19 protocol as of this past Tuesday, the Oilers called Skinner back up from Bakersfield to help share time in net with Mike Smith, who is returning from a (checks notes) thumb injury. Both of these starters are going to see two starts, or possibly even three, but I would lean more towards Skinner from what I've seen from Smith since returning. Regardless of how your league scores goalie stats, no wins, no quality starts, and 25 goals allowed for Smith in his last six starts isn't exactly going to win you any head to heads or category matchups.

Even though Skinner hasn't started an NHL game since 1/29, he has seen action in the AHL and has fared very well going 8-0-2 in his last ten starts with a .928 save percentage. In deeper leagues I think Skinner could make a great add to help get starts in net over the next week.

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Matt Murray, G, Ottawa Senators (Available in 95% of ESPN leagues, 67% Fantrax, 71% Yahoo) – Let's keep with the goalie theme here and dive into the waiver pool. What will we find? Odds are your league probably has one or more Dallas netminders, probably someone from the Sharks, oh look someone just dropped Vitek Vanecek. But let's look passed all that, probably somewhere between Spencer Knight and Antti Raanta we're going to find what we're looking for with Matt Murray, who may just help solidify your roster in net.

I know and get it, it's Ottawa, but looking at it from as fantasy prospective there's actually a decent amount to like here. Murray has been shaky from at times but in his last five starts has gone 3-0-2 with a .952 save percentage and 1.55 goals against average over those starts. What helps Murray stand out as well is not only his play as of late, but there's a very good chance he begins to see more consistent starts. For a goalie landscape in fantasy that's difficult to navigate there's nothing better than not having to worry about who will or won't start on a given night. If Murray continues to play well and grab starts, this could be a great spot to fill out your roster moving forward.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Vancouver Canucks (Owned in 62% of ESPN leagues, 56% of Fantrax, 45% Yahoo) – The Odd Man out committee has convened and after several close door meetings we have found the perfect candidate for this week. Honestly it wasn't that hard: Oliver Ekman-Larsson has entered that chat.

When Quinn Hughes went into COVID-19 protocol that left the door open for OEL to step right into the top line defense pairing duties as well as quarterbacking Vancouver's top power play. So far in two games he has looked great in this role with one goal and three assists with five shots on goal. When Hughes went out OEL became a great option to add for the short term and in DFS a very cheap filler. The issue moving forward for those rostering him is that Quinn Hughes could return to action as early as this Saturday vs Toronto, putting Ekman-Larsson back on his previous role on a lower defensive pairing and seeing time on Vancouver's second power play unit. If you're rostering OEL in the short term that's fine but keep an eye out for a Hughes return to the lineup in the coming days.

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders (Owned in 63% of ESPN leagues, 49% of Fantrax, 31% Yahoo) – In past seasons, Anders Lee was someone I liked to either take a little bit later in my drafts or keep an eye on the waiver wire to possibly add him for a stretch of games. This season though Lee has struggled offensively, and I think that may just be the case moving forward for the Isles captain.

Let's go over the stats, in the past 30 days Lee has two goals and three assists while having the second lowest shots on goal per 60 minutes in his career at 7.8 (lowest his rookie season at 7.3), and the lowest points per 60 minutes of his entire career at 1.7. Now whether or not this offensive slump is due to injuries, COVID, lack of games, combination of all, is all speculation. What isn't speculation though is that even with the eye test, Lee has looked behind the pace of play for the majority of this season.

The Islanders still have the most remaining games on their schedule at 42, so if you're rostering Lee right now, he will be able to provide you a good amount of games down the stretch. I think for now though it's time to shop around the waiver wire and see what's available.

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

This period runs from February11^th to February 23^rd

Winnipeg – Winnipeg has a busy upcoming schedule but will get four of their next six opponents next week on home ice. They'll welcome a Blackhawks club that they buried earlier this season, Adam Lowry's favorite club the Minnesota Wild, Seattle who is Seattle, and an Edmonton club that has just fired their head coach. For a team in desperate need of points to help move up in the West this is a nice stretch. 

Ottawa – Ottawa has a bulky schedule in the coming days and for fantasy owners and those looking to roster some Sens in DFS, this could be a nice stretch to get different.  

Edmonton – Five totally games next week get the Oilers on the Love Em list for me. They may be underwhelming night to night, but with their top end guys being higher owned amongst fantasy owners, this is an excellent stretch to see some points go on the board.

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

Arizona – The Yotes don't see much action at all upcoming which makes them a Leave Em coming up. Even when Arizona has a busy schedule are they ever really a Love Em? Not so much.

Tampa Bay – Not much Bolts hockey coming up as they have just one game on the schedule next week and then will be out of action until the 23^rd.

New Jersey – Same situation here with the Devils, New Jersey has one game on the schedule next week and then it's a break until the 24^th. This may be a welcome break for a club that has gone 2-8-0 in their last ten games played.