Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Week 8

Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 8. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.

Trade for Jacob Markstrom

Team: Flames
Position: G
Rostered: 91%

Markstrom has only started one of the Flames' last seven games due to injury, and he owns an .855 save percentage over his last four appearances. His fantasy managers are possibly growing tired with the lack of availability and inconsistent play.

However, head coach Darryl Sutter's hiring should help Markstrom's outlook. The veteran bench boss is known for his hard-nosed mentality, but he's also going to help Calgary get its structure in order.

Although Sutter's last three seasons in Los Angeles resulted in just one playoff appearance, the Kings produced excellent underlying results during that time, leading the NHL in Corsi For percentage, expected goals percentage, and high-danger scoring chance percentage at five-on-five.

The Flames are talented enough on paper to make the playoffs in the North Division. With Sutter's ability to get the most out of his players, look for Markstrom to have a big second half.

Goalies are easy to stream in 10- and 12-team leagues, so I wouldn't recommend trading any of your valuable skaters for Markstrom. A goalie-for-goalie swap would be ideal.

Add Rickard Rakell Debora Robinson / National Hockey League / Getty

Team: Ducks
Position: LW/RW
Rostered: 24%

Rakell is finally having some luck fall his way, putting up more points in his last five games (nine) than he did in his first 20 contests (seven). The Ducks winger is 17th in the NHL in individual expected goals, so this type of offensive outburst is no fluke.

Anaheim plays four games this week, and two of them are against the San Jose Sharks, who allow the second-most goals against per game.

Add Alex Tuch

Team: Golden Knights
Position: LW/RW
Rostered: 37%

Tuch has eight goals in his last seven games but is somehow still available in well over half of leagues. Yes, he's due to come down to earth at some point, but it's a great idea to add him while he's rolling - especially since Vegas plays four times this week.

Drop MacKenzie Blackwood Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Team: Devils
Position: G
Rostered: 63%

Blackwood was bailing out his team during the early part of the season, but the underlying numbers are starting to catch up to the Devils. New Jersey allows the third-most high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and Blackwood now has just one win with an .865 save percentage in his last seven games.

The 24-year-old is a good goalie, but he's in a poor situation. You'd be better off streaming goalies than relying on Blackwood right now.

Add Jake Oettinger

Team: Stars
Position: G
Rostered: 13%

Oettinger is starting his second straight game Sunday after recording a 21-save shutout Saturday. The 22-year-old has outperformed teammate Anton Khudobin so far this season (stats prior to Sunday's outing):

Stat	Oettinger	Khudobin
GP	9	12
GAA	2.02	2.60
SV%	.922	.913
GSAA	3.1	2.1

The Stars play four times this week - twice against the Chicago Blackhawks and twice against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Look for Oettinger to start at least two of those contests.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.