The new Robert Thomas gets things done before 3 a.m. The Blues won their seventh straight game on Tuesday, destroying the Canadiens 6-1. Their best player led the way with a goal and three assists, giving him 2+11 in his last eight games. The Blues are getting closer and closer to a lock for the playoffs, which is a big triumph for Montgomery and the organization. It’s not a knock on Kyrou or their other wingers, but I’d love to see what Thomas could do with a superstar winger on his side. In terms of a pure playmaker, Thomas would be in my top ten in the league, and probably top five. He’s still only 25 years old and his game should age incredibly well, so now that his shot rate is to a below average level instead of a huge drain, Thomas is a great dynasty asset. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Sean Monahan – Two assists with a shot. Nice to see Monahan pick up right where he left over after a 2+ month absence. Monahan is probably worth holding given what he did in the first half.
Adam Boqvist – Two assists. Boqvist does have six points in his last six games, although he has only four shots on goal in that span. If you need help for deep leagues, you could do worse.
Pius Suter – Goal and an assist with five shots. With all of their injuries, Suter played over 23 minutes in this game. He’s an elite streamer while he has this role.
Timo Meier – Two goals on four shots. Meier’s shot rate has benefited from the missing Devils. I think he’s a hold regardless, but right now, I don’t think it’s a question.
Roope Hintz – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. The shot rate is in the toilet, but considering Hintz has 18 points in his last ten games, I don’t think anyone is complaining.
Jake Oettinger – 32 save shutout in the 3-0 win over the Wild. Monster performance from Oettinger, who has settled into the #6 overall goalie despite a non-elite save percentage.
Alex Lyon – 16 saves on 17 shots in the 5-1 win over Utah.  Petr Mrazek was hurt less than two minutes into the game and did not return. Lyon didn’t do as well against Colorado on Tuesday, and Talbot should be back on Thursday, so I’m not particularly interested in Lyon.
Simon Edvinsson – Three assists with a shot over two games. We’re starting to see signs of what Edvinsson could become in the long term, and that’s a huge value in banger leagues since he hits all of the categories. The shot rate is going to need to take some significant strides though.
John Tavares – Two goals and two assists with four shots, as did William Nylander. Tavares has gotten on a hot streak, to the point where he has 32 goals now, the most of any free agent. The shot rate is down significantly, so there are some worrisome signs for the future, but for now, enjoy another point per game season.
Bobby McMann – Goal and an assist with two shots. He’s quietly scored 20 goals on the season, making McMann a solid streamer.
Matthew Knies – Two assists with a shot. I can’t wait to see what Knies’ next contract looks like. There’s a lot of offer sheet talk this summer, and on the surface, Knies looks like a prime target.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 14 saves on 15 shots in the 6-1 win over the Penguins. Vasilevskiy is back to his usual levels, as he’s clearly settled into being the #2 overall fantasy goalie.
Nikita Kucherov – Goal and two assists with two shots and two PIM. That’s his third straight 100 point season, and the fifth of Kucherov’s career. He’s played at a 100 point pace per 82 games for seven straight years. A superstar through and through.
Ryan McDonagh – Goal and an assist with two shots. Talk about a career revival for McDonagh. He’s a defensive stalwart for the Lightning. There’s some deep league value for blocks and plus-minus.
Anthony Cirelli – Two goals on four shots. Brandon Hagel had a goal and an assist with four shots. Cirelli has found an offensive level that I didn’t think he had in him, while top ten fantasy forward wasn’t in Hagel’s cards at all, even though he’s giving me a chance to hit my first bold prediction from the preseason.
Juuse Saros – 34 saves on 35 shots in the 3-1 win over the Hurricanes. This is the version of Saros we’ve been accustomed to, but this season has been a disaster. I’m still bullish on him next season because I’ll always bet on the talent, but he’s a risky play for the rest of the season.
Luke Evangelista – Two goals on three shots. He’s playing with RoR and Forsberg right now, putting Evangelista in the middling streamer category.
Marc Del Gaizo – Two assists. The offense is rough, but he is decent in hits and blocks. Don’t see much value here now or long term, but I could see streaming him in super deep leagues. Welcome to the Razzball Database!
Jack Eichel – Hat trick on six shots. Eichel’s assist rate is blowing anything in his past out of the water. He’s had a top five forward season so far, although a lot of it is being driven by a crazy plus-minus.
Mark Stone – Two assists with three shots. Just stay healthy!
Noah Hanifin – Two assists with a shot. With Shea Theodore (assist) back, Hanifin is firmly on the fringe.
Adin Hill – 23 saves on 24 shots in the 5-1 win over the Wild. Big boost to Hill’s dynasty value now that he has a long term deal with the Golden Knights. The cap going up could benefit them as much as any team in the league as their current core ages.
Philip Broberg – Goal and three assists. Both offer sheets worked out excellently for the Blues, as Dylan Holloway extended his point streak to eight games with a goal and an assist. Broberg isn’t doing quite enough for 12’ers, although it is inching towards the fringe.
Cam Fowler – Two assists with two shots. Opposite case from Broberg for Fowler, who is doing just enough to be a hold.
Jordan Binnington – 24 saves on 25 shots in the 6-1 win over the Canadiens. Both goalies on St. Louis are worth holding right now.
Devon Toews – Goal and two assists with two shots. It’s been a step back offensively for Toews this season, but he’s still a clear hold everywhere.
Nathan MacKinnon – Goal and an assist with two PIM. It’s MacKinnon’s Art Ross Trophy to lose with Draisaitl going down.
Jonathan Drouin – Two assists with two shots, as did Martin Necas. Drouin is right on the fringe depending on team needs, but more than likely a hold.
Jaden Schwartz – Goal and an assist with five shots. Middling streamer through and through.
Nazem Kadri – Two goals on seven shots with five PIM. Kadri has solidified himself as a clear hold.
Jonathan Huberdeau – Two assists with two shots playing over 24 minutes. Huberdeau is doing his best to keep the Flames in the playoff picture. He’s been so hot that there’s a pretty good case for holding.
Matt Coronato – Two assists with two shots and two PIM. Coronato has a four game point streak and has moved onto PP1, making him a solid streamer.
Darcy Kuemper – 22 saves on 23 shots in the 3-1 win over the Rangers. Kuemper hasn’t allowed more than two goals in nine straight starts. The Kings really are a defensive juggernaut and Kuemper is the biggest beneficiary.
Kevin Fiala – Two goals on seven shots. Fiala has ten points in his last nine games, and it wouldn’t be the first time he has a huge finish to the season. He’s on the fringe.
Three Point Challenge: We will do Thursday’s games per usual. You can’t select MacKinnon, Draisaitl, Kucherov, McDavid, Eichel, Connor, Marner, Pastrnak, Bratt, or Makar. I’ll go with Suzuki against the Flyers.
That’s all for now guys. I’ll be back on Friday recapping the action over the next two nights. As always, feel free to ask any questions, leave any comments, or give any suggestions below. Thanks for reading, take care!
R. Thomas for 3 at Nsh please!
Hi Viz,
I’ll go with Tavares VS SJ
Big THANKS!!