We are headed into the final week of fantasy. That means you are fighting for first or third in your fantasy pools and are looking for the edge in goaltending. It can be the toughest and most scarce position to get an edge in, but these waiver wire pickups should serve you well, not only contributing wins but also a good save percentage against weaker teams.
Casey DeSmith – Pittsburgh Penguins – 30% Rostered
Tristan Jarry, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ starter, was listed as week-to-week with an injury. Casey DeSmith has since stepped in and held down the fort in a tight race for positioning within the Metropolitan Division. Despite qualifying for playoffs a while ago, the Washington Capitals are hot on the Penguins’ tail so as not to match up against the Florida Panthers in round one of the playoffs.
DeSmith has completely turned things around from his struggles early in the season and posted three wins in his past five games. In those games, he has a .944 save percentage and a 52-save shutout. He looks to be the starter for the Penguins for the time being and should at least get the remaining two starts against the Edmonton Oilers and weaker Columbus Blue Jackets this week.
Anton Forsberg – Ottawa Senators – 39% Rostered
Anton Forsberg is the starting goaltender for the Ottawa Senators and the net appears to continue to be his. Filip Gustavsson recently got two starts and was sent back down to the American Hockey League (AHL). Forsberg has won three of his past five starts behind an improved young team that is healthy and looking to get on a good track before next season.
He should have favourable matchups in the final week as the Senators play the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and welcome the Florida Panthers to Ottawa. The Devils and Flyers are nothing to worry about, while the Panthers are much more dangerous at home than on the road. The Senators face the Panthers and Flyers back-to-back to end the regular season, so Forsberg could get the two more favourable matchups.
Kaapo Kahkonen – San Jose Sharks – 28% Rostered
Kaapo Kahkonen has played well for the San Jose Sharks since being acquired. He has competed for the starting role and lines up to play the Anaheim Ducks in the team’s next game. He has won two in a row and posted a .950 save percentage over the past two weeks. He has gone five consecutive starts with posting at least a .917 save percentage.
The Sharks’ and Kahkonen’s matchups aren’t too bad either in the final week as he should get the starts against the Ducks and Seattle Kraken with James Reimer getting the net in Edmonton.
Roster percentages courtesy of Yahoo.
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