NHL News
Auston Matthews Remains Out On Thursday
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (upper body) will be sidelined for a sixth consecutive game on Thursday against the Islanders. Matthews returned to practice this week but isn't ready to rejoin the lineup yet. However, his comeback appears to be close, and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has not ruled Matthews out for the team's upcoming back-to-back against Boston and Philadelphia over the weekend. John Tavares and David Kampf will likely continue to center the scoring lines in Thursday's game. Tavares is in the midst of an eight-game point streak, scoring seven goals during the stretch, while Kampf has tallied two goals across the past three games.
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Darcy Kuemper Logs 33-Save Shutout Against Devils
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper was at the top of his game in Wednesday's matchup against New Jersey, recording his second shutout of the season with 33 saves in a 3-0 win. Kuemper's work helped the Kings register an eighth consecutive home win, with the veteran netminder extending his personal point streak to eight games in the process. Dating back to Dec. 7, Kuemper has gone 6-0-2 in the Kings crease. Kuemper's improvement in form has been noticeable, as he won only one of five starts in November. The 34-year-old is sporting a 10-2-5 record for the season and has allowed 2.29 goals with a .916 save percentage.
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Jason Robertson Tallies Three Points In Victory
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson tallied a goal and two assists during Tuesday's victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Robertson tallied his first point on the primary assist on Roope Hintz's second period strike. In the third, Robertson found the back of the net on a wrist shot and capped off his night with another primary assist, this time on Esa Lindell's empty-net goal. Over his past eight contests, Robertson has tallied 11 points (three goals, eight assists) with 23 total shots. This is an excellent sign for the 25-year-old, as he started the season slowly. Fantasy managers should continue to expect these performances from him as he sees top minutes in the Dallas lineup. Robertson will look to stay hot tomorrow evening against the Ottawa Senators.
Yesterday
John Tavares Extends Point Streak To Eight Games
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares extended his point streak to eight games during their victory over the New York Islanders. Tavares got on the scoresheet on the final minutes with an empty-net goal on the power-play. During this eight-game stretch, the veteran has tallied 13 total points (seven goals, six helpers), with four of these points coming on the power-play. With Auston Matthews (upper body) on the injured reserve, Tavares has taken full control of the No.1 center role. Across 37 games this season, the 34-year-old has scored 38 points with eight of them coming on the man-advantage. Fantasy managers should expect Tavares to continue to produce point-per-game production, playing alongside William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
Yesterday
Valeri Nichushkin Departs Early On Tuesday
According to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette, Colorado Avalanche left wing Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) departed Tuesday's game early and did not return. Before suffering the injury, Nichushkin tallied three shots on goal with a +1 rating while playing on the top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 29-year-old's status heading into their next matchup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. While sidelined, Mikko Rantanen will likely return to the top unit. The superstar forward is currently riding an 11-game point streak. Over this span, he has tallied 19 points (six goals, 13 helpers) with 25 total shots on goal.
Yesterday
Samuel Ersson Departs Early On Tuesday
According to Jordan Hall of NBCS Philadelphia, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (undisclosed) left Tuesday's game early. Ersson did not return after the end of the second frame. No.2 option Aleksei Kolosov took the crease in the final period. Before departing, Ersson stopped all 15 shots he faced against the San Jose Sharks. Kolosov continued his shutout by stopping all seven shots in the third period. Entering Tuesday's game, Ersson was riding a 3-4 record over his past seven starts with an underwhelming .843% SV and a 3.79 GAA. If Ersson needs to miss any time, Ivan Fedotov will move up to the backup spot behind Kolosov. In his previous start, Kolosov allowed five goals in their loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He would likely get the starting nod on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Yesterday
Kris Letang Placed On Injured Reserve, Marcus Pettersson Activated
According to the team, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Kris Letang (lower body) on the injured reserve. They activated defenseman Marcus Pettersson (lower body) from the injured reserve in a corresponding move. Letang sat out on Sunday evening and was initially viewed as day-to-day. However, the former three-time Stanley Cup Champion will now miss at least the next two contests and be eligible to return to face the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5th. On Tuesday evening, Pettersson made his return after missing the previous six contests on the IR. In this game, Pettersson logged three shots on goal with one block. While Letang is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Pettersson to play alongside Pierre-Oliver Joseph on the second pairing while Erik Karlsson and Matt Grzelcyk play on the top unit. Ryan Shea should continue to draw starts with Letang out.
Yesterday
Igor Shesterkin Placed On Injured Reserve
According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (upper body) was placed on the injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the Rangers recalled Louis Domingue from the Hartford Wolf Pack. Since the start of December, Shesterkin has held a disappointing 3-7 record with a 3.43 GAA and a .891% SV. As a result, the 29-year-old will now miss at least the next three games but could miss a longer period of time. Veteran Jonathan Quick will likely be given the starter's crease for the foreseeable future with Domingue filling in as the No.2 option. Over his past four appearances, Quick has posted a 2.95 ERA and a .882% SV. He should only be rostered in deeper formats.
Yesterday
Ivan Ivan Out Week-To-Week
Colorado Avalanche center Ivan Ivan (upper body) is considered week-to-week. The team has placed him on Injured Reserve ahead of Tuesday's contest against Winnipeg. Ivan has amassed five goals and eight points in 37 appearances during his rookie campaign. While filling in for injured teammates in a larger role earlier in the season, Ivan had some offensive success. But he has been held without a point since Nov. 25, averaging less than 10 minutes of ice time. Ivan will be replaced in the lineup by Jonathan Drouin (upper), who is ready to return from a 16-game absence.
Yesterday
Radek Faksa Misses Winter Classic
St. Louis Blues center Radek Faksa (lower body) will not play in Tuesday's Winter Classic against Chicago. After sustaining a skate cut on his leg, Faksa has featured just once in the past nine games and isn't ready to play in Tuesday's special matchup. The veteran centerman has picked up seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 outings this season. Additionally, he has recorded 47 hits while winning 53.7 percent of his faceoffs. Faksa's next opportunity to return will be on Friday against Ottawa.
Yesterday
Jeff Skinner Re-Enters Oilers Lineup Tuesday
Edmonton Oilers left wing Jeff Skinner will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against Utah. Skinner's season has not gone well, and he was named a healthy scratch on Sunday versus Anaheim. On Tuesday, he will be welcomed back in the lineup, with Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch also planning to do some line shuffling. Skinner, who posted an 82-point campaign only two seasons ago, has totaled 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 35 appearances this term. Four of the points came in the opening five games of the season.
Yesterday
Simon Holmstrom Considered Day-To-Day
New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (upper body) is considered day-to-day. The 23-year-old has been ever-present for the Islanders this season but had to exit the lineup on Tuesday against Toronto because of an upper-body injury. Holmstrom has quietly enjoyed a good campaign, sitting fourth on the team in scoring. He has posted nine goals and 22 points in 37 contests. The Islanders will miss Holmstrom, but Anthony Duclair has just returned to the lineup, giving the team an additional attacking threat.
Yesterday
Kirill Kaprizov Will Remain Out On Tuesday
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) will remain on the shelf for Tuesday's matchup against Nashville. He will sit out a third consecutive contest. Minnesota considers Kaprizov day-to-day, so he should be good to go again soon. His next chance to return will come Thursday against Washington. Matt Boldy will continue in a first-line role on Tuesday. He's been in a slump lately, going scoreless in four of his last five appearances. Ryan Hartman is currently skating in Boldy's spot on the second line, but he has also had difficulty producing offense. The 30-year-old is in danger of going an entire month without registering a single point.
Yesterday
Kris Letang Out On Tuesday, Considered Day-To-Day
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (lower body) will not play on Tuesday against Detroit and is considered day-to-day. Letang will be absent for a second consecutive game. Nate Clurman replaced him in the lineup on Sunday versus the Islanders. However, Marcus Pettersson (lower body) might play against the Red Wings instead of Clurman. He's been out for six games but participated in the morning skate. Pettersson has been a productive two-way defenseman for the Penguins, posting 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 32 games with 56 blocks and 36 hits.
Yesterday
Alec Martinez Nearing Return
According to Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez (neck) is listed as day-to-day ahead of the Winter Classic. The veteran defenseman has been on the injured reserve since December 13, but seeing him listed as day-to-day could suggest he is nearing a return. Martinez has already missed the required ten games, so he could be on the verge of a return once he is officially activated off injured reserve. Through 15 games this season, Martinez has tallied one goal and three helpers with four hits and an impressive 38 blocked shots. When he does return, Nolan Allan could leave the starting lineup. Fantasy managers in category leagues that score blocked shots should keep an eye on Martinez's return as he could be worth adding to boost your team in that statistic.
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Kaapo Kakko Tallies Two Helpers On Monday
Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko tallied two helpers in their victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday evening. Kakko tallied the primary assist on Jaden Schwartz's eventual game-winning tally in the third period. Later in this frame, Kakko added another primary assist, this time on Matty Beniers' sixth goal of the season. Since joining the Seattle Kraken, Kakko has tallied three points over six games. The former second-overall selection has logged three games with at least three shots on goal and three games with at least two hits. The 23-year-old has continued to play on the top line in Seattle but has yet to see his offensive production significantly increase. Given his inconsistent production, he remains only a target for deeper formats and a risky play in DFS.
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Jaden Schwartz Tallies Three Points On Monday
Seattle Kraken left wing Jaden Schwartz tallied three points in their victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday evening. Schwartz tallied two helpers in the opening frame. He tallied the secondary assist on Yanni Gourde's sixth goal of the season and the primary assist on Andre Burakovsky's third of the season. In the final frame, Schwartz would score his 12th goal of the season which served as the game-winner in this contest. The 32-year-old has now tallied six points over his past four games. During this span, he has scored four times including once on the power-play. Before this offensive surge, he tallied just one point over his previous six games. Schwartz is worth a look as a streaming option while he remains productive and could be a value play on Thursday evening in DFS when the Kraken host the Canucks.
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Jesper Boqvist Leads Florida To Victory Over New York
Florida Panthers right wing Jesper Boqvist scored twice during their victory over the New York Rangers on Monday evening. Boqvist gave Florida a lead late in the second frame when he beat Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin on a wrist shot. He then got on the scoresheet once again in the final frame, which eventually served as the game-winner. In this contest, he also tallied a season-high four shots on goal. Through 35 games this season, Boqvist has scored seven times and added six helpers. While he has not been a reliable fantasy asset in scoring production, he has logged 79 total hits this season. Boqvist remains a risky play in DFS given his low ice time but could be worth adding in deeper category leagues that score hits, especially if he can continue to raise his offensive production.
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Gabriel Vilardi Strikes Twice On Monday Evening
Winnipeg Jets right wing Gabriel Vilardi scored twice in their victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday evening. Vilardi did all of his damage in the third period, both times on the power-play. Vilardi found the back of the net for the first time on a snap shot. Later in the frame, he scored again on the power-play, this time on a wrist shot. Vilardi is now carrying a three-game point streak. Over this streak, he has scored three times and posted two multi-point performances. Over his past seven games, the 25-year-old has tallied 12 points, with nine of them coming on the power-play. Vilardi will look to stay hot on Tuesday evening in a divisional matchup against the Colorado Avalanche.
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Connor Hellebuyck Posts Shutout Victory On Monday
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 22 shots he faced on Monday evening en route to defeating the Nashville Predators. The Jets had the majority of shots in this contest, but Hellebuyck was able to keep the door shut when called upon. The 31-year-old netminder has now won six straight starts. Over this stretch, he has posted two shutouts and carries a stellar .945% SV with a 1.50 GAA. Over his past four starts, he has a near-perfect .960% SV and a 1.00 GAA. Overall, across 30 games this season, Hellebuyck has posted a 24-5-1 record with a. 930% AV and a 2.00 GAA. Hellebuyck remains a must-start option in all fantasy formats, given his elite play and heavy workload in the Winnipeg crease. He will likely get his next start on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.
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Auston Matthews
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Maple Leafs
