Fantasy All-Access: Streaking Bruins have value

The Boston Bruins are two wins shy of their franchise record for consecutive wins, 14 set in 1929-30; let’s look at the streak from a fantasy aspect.

Veteran Jarome Iginla has paced the team with 11 goals and 14 points during the win streak. Rookie Carl Soderberg has raised his fantasy stock with 10 points in the past 13 games. Both Bruins goalies have contributed to the win streak; Tuukka Rask has won seven straight while giving up only 11 goals. Chad Johnson has won five straight while stopping 125 of 131 shots.

The Bruins have four games this week (MTL, CHI, @WSH, @PHI); expect their red-hot players to keep pacing your fantasy teams.

WAIVER WIRE WATCH

David Desharnais, Montreal Canadiens (owned in 16 percent of Yahoo Leagues) -- The Canadiens No. 1 center is producing at a point-per-game pace the past two months (17 points in 18 games) and gaining great chemistry with new linemate Thomas Vanek and old friend Max Pacioretty. This season, Desharnais and Pacioretty have teamed up and recorded a point on the same goal 24 times. Meanwhile, in only eight games played Vanek and Desharnais have combined for three goals where both players had points. Montreal has four games scheduled this week (@BOS, BUF, @DET, @FLA), all against division opponents, against which Desharnais has 15 points in 22 games.

Alec Martinez, Los Angeles Kings (owned in 6 percent of Yahoo Leagues) -- On a blue line that features fantasy studs like Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov, lately it has been the 26-year-old Martinez who has been putting up points despite playing on a third pairing. Martinez was a contributor to the Kings' run to the Stanley Cup in 2012, but followed that promise with a disappointing season last year. The 6-foot-1 fourth-round pick (No. 95) has turned it around this season, including eight points in his past 10 games played. Los Angeles has four games this week (@PHI, @WSH, @PIT, WPG) and Martinez, who has five of his 15 points on the man advantage, will jump start your backline.

Jeff Zatkoff, Pittsburgh Penguins (owned in 5 percent of Yahoo Leagues) -- The Penguins are marching toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs and relying on their 26-year-old backup goaltender more often to keep Marc-Andre Fleury fresh. He has won three of his four starts in March with a 2.32 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Pittsburgh has four games this week (PHX, LAK, @CBJ, CHI); expect Zatkoff to start at least two of those games and produce for your team in the fantasy playoffs.

ROSTER TRENDS

Category hogs -- The key to a fantasy championship is having players who hit many categories, or category hogs. Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds has been the best category hog this season, being the only player with over 100 penalty minutes, 20 goals, 10 power-play goals and 50 points. Other players that are available that could help this week are Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel (178 penalty minutes, 24 points, two game-winning goals) and Washington Capitals forward Troy Brouwer (88 penalty minutes, 11 power-play goals, 35 points, 137 shots).

Special teamers -- Another key to a championship run is to grab players that provide those special team points at a rapid rate. The Washington tandem of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom has combined for 73 power-play points. If you are not lucky enough to have those top players on your team search out Phoenix Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata, who has scored 50 percent (10 of 20) of his goals on the man advantage. New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias leads the NHL with six shorthanded points, while Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand paces the League with five shorthanded goals.

PROSPECT RUMBLINGS

Chris Kreider, New York Rangers -- The long-awaited arrival of Chris Kreider as a fantasy contributor is upon us. After bursting on the scene during the 2012 playoffs right out of college and producing five goals and seven points in the Rangers' run to the Eastern Conference Final, the former Boston College standout struggled to replicate that production. This season, playing on a line with Rick Nash and Derek Stepan, the 22-year-old is tied for fourth in rookie scoring with 37 points in 65 games. Still only owned in 31 percent of Yahoo leagues, he would be a perfect addition to your fantasy playoff run.