In this week's Eastern Edge, we'll discuss waiver wire additions for your fantasy playoff matchup this week.

Offense

Pavel Zacha

Over the past two months, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Pavel Zacha have all been equally productive, with each player posting 18 points in 24 games. Although you won't be able to pick up Bergeron or Marchand from the waiver wire, Zacha is available in 75% of Yahoo leagues. Boston is one of seven teams that play four games between Tuesday and Sunday, giving Zacha plenty of opportunity to find the scoresheet. He can slot in at all three forward positions in Yahoo Leagues, making it easier to incorporate him into your fantasy lineup despite Boston mostly playing on busy nights this week.

Kyle Palmieri

With New York playing just one game from Tuesday to Thursday, you don't need to rush to the waiver wire to grab Palmieri. However, if you're in a league that allows daily adds, Palmieri could be a solid option later in the week. The Islanders face the Columbus on Friday and Buffalo on Saturday. Over the past month, only the Sharks have allowed more goals per game (4.62) than the Blue Jackets (4.58) and Sabres (4.53). Palmieri had been hindered by injuries early in the season, but since returning to the lineup on January 23^rd, he sits second in team scoring with 17 points in 23 games. During this stretch, he's been skating roughly 18 minutes a night and enjoying a significant role on the power play. Available in 97% of Yahoo Leagues, Palmieri is in a good position to put up some points this week.

Calle Järnkrok

The 31-year-old forward has been thriving in an elevated role recently. In his last three games, he's seen nearly 18 minutes of action a night – much of it beside Auston Matthews. Järnkrok is in great form right now with six points in his last four appearances. Sure, the sample size is small, but it's encouraging to see him putting up points while playing prominent minutes beside a superstar. Based on his recent success, there's a good chance Järnkrok maintains this favourable position for the rest of the week. With Toronto playing four games between Tuesday and Sunday, he should see enough action to put up some points for your fantasy team. Available in 92% of Yahoo formats and eligible to play all three positions, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting Järnkrok into your lineup this week.   

Goaltending

Let me preface this section by saying I prefer to let my fantasy team's regular goalies set the tone for in any given week. Too many times have I seen the 'perfect' spot start end up being a trap game where Michael Hutchinson allows seven goals to the last-place team that's missing 14 of its regular players (not based on a true story but the plausibility only reinforces my point). Regardless, if your fantasy team's regular goalies are up against some high-powered offenses this week and you'd feel safer outsourcing, here are a couple of names to consider.

Akira Schmid

The 22-year-old netminder has been solid when called upon this season, sporting an 8-5-2 record, 2.05 GAA and .924 save percentage. He benefits from playing behind an extremely strong Devils team that ranks third in league standings. Schmid is currently with the team because Mackenzie Blackwood went down with an injury in mid-February. Since Blackwood went down, Schmid sports a .930 save percentage and 1.84 GAA over seven appearances. During that same span, Vitek Vanecek – considered New Jersey's starter – holds an .869 save percentage and 3.38 GAA through eight games. Vanecek's inconsistency has opened the door for Schmid lately, allowing him to see a few more starts than originally expected. The Devils are scheduled to play back-to-back nights this week, facing the Sabres on Friday and the Senators on Saturday. I'm more wary of Ottawa's offense than I am Buffalo's, so let's hope Schmid gets the call on Friday rather than Saturday. Currently rostered in just 19% of Yahoo Leagues, Schmid provides the rare combination of good goalie on a good team, who is likely to be available on your league's waiver wire. If you plan on picking up Schmid this week, it'll be worth monitoring Blackwood's status as Schmid may be sent down to the AHL once Blackwood's ready to return.

Alex Lyon 

After defeating the Red Wings on Monday night, Florida faces off against the Flyers on Tuesday. With it being the second half of a back-to-back, there's a chance backup netminder Alex Lyon gets the start. Although Lyon has struggled in limited action this season, he'd be up against a Philadelphia team that's scored a league-worst 2.11 goals since February 1^st. However, it's worth mentioning that the Flyers have scored 12 goals in their last three games. Part of me sees the makings of a trap game – lacklustre goalie playing behind a tired team, up against an opponent that lacks talent (and is therefore easy to underestimate) but works hard. Regardless, if you're desperate for a spot start, Lyon is almost certainly available in your fantasy league. I should also note that Sergei Bobrovsky only faced 22 shots on Monday. With Florida battling for a playoff spot, it's possible they play their best lineup and turn to Bob again on Tuesday.