A long time analytics darling, Joonas Donskoi is finally getting a chance on the first line in Colorado because of injuries, and he has taken full advantage. Donskoi scored a goal and added two assists with two shots playing 20 minutes in the 4-0 win over the Jets on Tuesday. That brings Donskoi up to 9+5 in 18 games, but with 6 points in the last 3 games. With this workload, I would be holding Donskoi. The Avs play every other day for the next week plus, and they’re all on the road. That could mean even more minutes for the first line in Colorado as Bednar attempts to match MacKinnon (and therefore Donskoi) against the top players of the opposition. It’s not going to last, but for the short term, Donskoi is a great option. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Joel Edmundson – Goal and two assists with three shots. Edmundson had three points in the third period of this game, goals that made the score 6-1, 7-2 and 8-2. Garbage time points! Nothing to see here for fantasy with Edmundson.
Sebastian Aho – Two goals. He’s heating up <NBA Jam voice>!
Martin Necas – Goal and an assist with two shots. I love Necas long term. The upside is through the roof. For now, he’s only an average streamer due to lack of ice time.
Ryan Dzingel – Goal and an assist with four shots and two PIM. The minutes are up right now while he’s in the top six making Dzingel a solid streamer.
Evgeny Kuznetsov – Two goals on five shots. Kuznetsov is arguably the hottest player in the league right now with four straight multi-point games. He’s crushing all six categories and I’m not ruling out career highs for Kuz, especially in goals.
Keith Yandle – Goal and two assists with three shots playing almost 26 minutes. Part of the minutes boost was the score, part was Weegar’s absence. Hopefully the big game lets Yandle get back on track and Q gives him the workload Yandle was accustomed to with Boughner.
Jonathan Huberdeau – Three assists. Aleksander Barkov had two assists. These two are one of the most formidable duos in the league right now.
David Krejci – Two assists with three shots. Inching closer to a hold, but still an elite streamer at the moment.
Zach Werenski – Goal and an assist with six shots and two PIM. Right now, I would bet on Werenski getting to 50 points for the first time in his career. Being on PP1 again makes such a difference and we usually see strides get made in year four for defensemen.
Kappo Kakko – Two goals on three shots. We’re finally starting to see signs from Kakko. I’ve been patient to this point so I see no reason to change my mind now that he’s put together a nice stretch.
Adam Fox – Goal and an assist with two PIM. That’s a five game point streak for Fox whose workload is starting to increase. I’m not grabbing him in 12’ers yet but I’m monitoring the Rangers closely.
Tanner Pearson – Two goals and an assist with three shots. Pearson’s shot rate is at exactly three per game which is very good. He’s a middling streamer but a very nice deep league option.
Elias Pettersson – Two goals on four shots. This game snapped a brief slide from Pettersson. The low PIM and mediocre shot rate caps his ceiling, but if he gets 90+ points, it doesn’t really matter.
Adam Gaudette – Goal and an assist with two shots. There could be a decent player here long term, and Gaudette does have 6 points in 9 games, but the workload isn’t there to use him in fantasy right now.
Tyler Bertuzzi – Two assists. Didn’t expect Bertuzzi to be a hold this season, but here we are.
Adam Henrique – Two assists with four shots. He’s had a nice start but I just can’t get excited about Henrique. He’s a decent streamer but that’s it.
Ondrej Kase – Two assists with three shots. It kills me that the Ducks aren’t using Kase more. Obviously he’s not a hold right now, but I still think he can turn it around.
Jonathan Quick – 27 saves on 28 shots in the 3-1 win over the Wild. You would have to pay me to have Quick on one of my fantasy teams.
Anze Kopitar – Goal and an assist. Kopitar has bounced back getting to a point per game through his first 18 games. Nice to see him bounce back on a terrible team at 32 years old.
Sean Walker – Goal and an assist with three shots playing 24:35. I wrote a few weeks ago that Walker really stands out when I watch Kings games and he’s someone to keep an eye on. I could definitely see Walker becoming a bottom end hold as soon as this season if they finally put him on PP2 over Martinez. For now, leave him on the wire.
Leon Draisaitl – Goal and an assist with three shots and two PIM. Typical Draisaitl game at this point.
Sam Gagner – Goal and an assist with three shots. Gagner is off the top line so he’s waiver fodder for the time being.
Erik Karlsson – Three assists with two shots. It’s been a slow start for Karlsson, especially in terms of his shot rate. 29 shots in 18 games isn’t going to cut it. The assists will be elite, but I’m really worried about the goals and shots.
Logan Couture – Two assists with three shots. Couture has been excellent in the San Jose turnaround. I really wish the shot rate would go back up but the assists are outstanding.
Barclay Goodrow – Goal and an assist with five PIM. Gordie Howe hat trick! Goodrow looks pretty good on the second line, but without PP time, I can’t use Goodrow.
Timo Meier – Goal and an assist with three shots. That’s seven points in the last four games from Meier, whose buy low window is completely gone at this point.
Three Point Challenge: For those who aren’t familiar, for each Tuesday and Thursday of the season, you can make a pick in the comments section. That player needs to get 3+ points for you to win. You cannot take a player in the top 10 in points in the league, meaning that you can not take any of Pastrnak, Marchand, Draisaitl, McDavid, Carlson, Pettersson, Ovechkin, Matthews, Huberdeau, Barkov, or MacKinnon. Aurelius and Matt are one top with 2 correct picks, while Fungazi is on the board with one. For Thursday’s games, I will take Dylan Larkin against the Kings.
That’s all for now guys. I’ll be back on Friday recapping the action from the next two nights. Feel free to ask any questions, give any comments, or leave any suggestions below. Thanks for reading, take care!
