It’s going to be a busy week 11 in the NHL. All 32 teams will play at least three times, so there really aren’t any bad options to choose from. With 16 four-game streamers, managers should be able to add players who will get those extra reps in. So let’s go through 11 picks for Week 11. 

Matt Duchene, C/RW, DAL | 53% Yahoo

Duchene has returned to the lineup and is slotted in a really strong spot — on a line with Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen. Those two are clicking at a high rate this season — 3.20 goals per 60 at five-on-five. The one drawback is Duchene isn’t a part of a red-hot top power play unit. But the return of Thomas Harley adds another spark to PP2, which the veteran is a part of. 

Rickard Rakell, C/LW/RW, PIT | 51% Yahoo

Rakell has been cleared for contact, so he is nearing a return from injury. The likely landing spot is Sidney Crosby’s wing, where he played 939 five-on-five minutes last season; in that time, Pittsburgh scored at a rate of 3.61 goals per 60. Add in his power play impact and overall versatility, with eligibility to slot at all three forward positions, and this is a player to watch. 

Anton Lundell, C, FLA | 37% Yahoo

Those in shallow leagues may be able to scoop up players like Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett, who are excelling on the Panthers’ second line (and are available in 30-plus percent of Yahoo leagues). Those in deeper leagues have to get a bit more creative. Lundell’s offense has been solid all season, and he could take that even higher depending on where Matthew Tkachuk slots when he returns later this month. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all. Florida has three light nights in Week 11, and while two are against tougher opponents (the Lightning and Hurricanes), expect Florida to amp things up for valuable standings points. 

Dennis Hildeby, G, TOR | 35% Yahoo

It’s “Hildeby SZN” in Toronto. He has given the Maple Leafs quality net-minding on a nightly basis, with 11.9 goals saved above expected and a .936 save percentage. Anthony Stolarz still hasn’t skated, so Hildeby will keep getting his reps even after Joseph Woll returns from injury — and he has earned the playing time to rotate with Woll when that happens.

Mikael Granlund, C/LW/RW, ANA | 26% Yahoo

Beckett Sennecke continues to demand our attention in Anaheim. After his eight-game point streak came to a close, the rookie started a new one with six points in his past three games. But say power-play points are a higher priority for you right now, you may want to look at the Ducks’ top unit instead. That brings Granlund’s return into focus, especially with the Ducks’ upcoming schedule ahead. Anaheim will match up against two opponents that rank in the bottom-10 in xG suppression, the Rangers and Blue Jackets, so there is real scoring potential for the versatile forward. 

Alexis Lafrenière, LW/RW, NYR | 21% Yahoo

Speaking of the Rangers, they are a rare five-game streamer in Week 11, with games on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Two of their upcoming opponents, the Canucks and Predators, are both in the bottom five in all situation expected and actual goals against. The Blues’ goaltending puts them fifth in goals against. The Ducks, on the other hand, have had real defensive issues, and the goaltending isn’t as sparkling without a healthy Lukas Dostal. So as much as the Rangers (and Lafrenière) have underwhelmed, this is a great chance for the team to get back on track and in the thick of the playoff picture. 

Ville Husso, G, ANA | 14% Yahoo

Husso may not be Dostal, but he does deserve credit for holding things down in Anaheim lately. Just take his outstanding effort against the Penguins Tuesday night. Dostal is on this road trip, so he should be back soon, but either way, Husso should still get at least two of those four Week 11 starts if the team’s No.1 reclaims his starting net. 

Jacob Fowler, G, MTL | 8% Yahoo 

Fowler isn’t going to fix the Canadiens’ defensive woes, which have left their goaltenders exposed to quality looks on a nightly basis. But maybe he can bring some stability to the blue paint. Sam Montembeault has seriously disappointed this season, while Jakub Dobes has had a lot of ups and downs over the past month after a stellar October. Three-goalie situations are never easy to navigate, but Fowler has earned a shot at the NHL level after earning a 10-5-0 record and .919 save percentage in Laval this season. 

Alex Steeves, C/LW, BOS | 4% Yahoo

With a 55 percent xG rate and 5-2 scoring advantage at five-on-five, Steeves, Elias Lindholm, and Morgan Geekie have generated some chemistry in Boston. The real question is whether this combo sticks together, or if David Pastrnak reclaims his spot on the left. If he doesn’t, it gives fantasy managers more options to choose from — whether it’s Steeves, or one of Pastrnak’s current line mates, Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten. 

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, DET | 2% Yahoo

There are a few options in Detroit. Andrew Copp has been contributing more offensively between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. James van Riemsdyk is doing the most in limited bottom-six usage, with six goals in his past seven games. Ben Chiarot, on the other hand, hits and blocks at a high rate, and that could be handy in a home-and-home against the Capitals, who are one of the more frequent shooters in the league. Or, those wanting more offense from the blue line could look to Sandin-Pellikka, who has four assists in his past three games. 

Alex Iafallo, C/LW/RW, WPG | 1% Yahoo

Generally speaking, Iafallo’s more of a utility player than a real fantasy threat. But a move to the top line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele opens up some potential. In his 23 five-on-five minutes with that line this season, the Jets have a 31-19 shot attempt advantage and outscored opponents 3-1. Away from that duo, Iafallo has a sub-37 percent xG rate and has been outscored 15-8. Add in his positional flexibility, and this could be a worthwhile pick (if the lines hold) during a favorable week of scheduling in Winnipeg. 

Data via Evolving-Hockey, HockeyViz, HockeyStatCards, All Three Zones, and Natural Stat Trick. This story relies on shot-based metrics; here is a primer on these numbers