The Oilers have taken a massive hit lately missing both of their superstar centers, but on Saturday, one returned and picked up right where he left off. In the Battle of Alberta, Leon Draisaitl dominated, scoring two goals and an assist with eight shots in his first game in almost two weeks. It’s been a three way battle for the top forward spot on the season between MacKinnon, Kucherov, and Draisaitl. Draisaitl’s shot rate resurgence to go with him blowing away the rest of the league in the goals department gives him a real case for #1. Regardless, he’s the Hart favorite and has played his way back into tier one going forward. Let’s take a look at some players around the league that have had a value change recently:
Leo Carlsson – Two goals and three assists with seven shots over two games. The season started horribly, but Carlsson is finishing in a huge way. He has seven points in his last three games, and twelve in his last ten. More importantly for his future value, Carlsson’s shot rate has drastically increased. Remember, he’s only 20 years old and will be for almost half of next season. I have the feeling I’m going to be very bullish on Ducks forwards next season.
Cutter Gauthier – Goal and two assists with eight shots over two games. He has a lethal shot, and Gauthier is over three shots per game over the last few weeks. He also has blowup potential next year.
Ryan Donato – Four goals on six shots over two games, including a hat trick against Vegas. Man, what a season from Donato. Good for him completely resurrecting his career. He’s a borderline hold for the rest of the season. What a time to be a UFA. I think best case scenario for his fantasy value is he stays in Chicago.
Connor Hellebuyck – 24 save shutout against the Devils, then 23 saves on 24 shots against the Canucks. A late push to get under 2.00 GAA.
Alex Iafallo – Two goals on six shots over two games. With Vilardi out, Iafallo is filling in on the top line. Solid streamer in the meantime.
Seth Jarvis – Two goals and two assists with eight shots over two games. Jarvis has at least one point in nine of his last ten games. He’s not quite to fantasy superstar status, but it’s getting close. At 23 years old, Jarvis is an incredible dynasty asset.
Pius Suter – Goal and three assists with two shots over two games. Suter has been forced into a massive role and continues to deliver. He’s on the fringe.
Boone Jenner – Three goals and an assist with eight shots and two PIM. Jenner has played his way into being a clear hold.
Jack Quinn – Three goals and three assists with five shots over two games. Quinn looked awful most of the season so of course he’s finishing with a flourish. He’s an elite streamer while he’s playing this well, especially with the back to back to close this coming week.
Ryan McLeod – Goal and three assists with three shots and two PIM over two games. McLeod has been a major bright spot for the Sabres this season. The shot rate is brutal, but he’s amazing in deep leagues that include faceoffs.
J.J. Peterka – Goal and three assists with three shots over two games. Very good case for holding Peterka, even with the shot rate down lately.
Alex Tuch – Three goals and an assist with four shots over two games. Tuch is a clear hold again, as Tuch has scored 30 goals for the second time in three seasons.
Matvei Michkov – Two goals on five shots against the Sabres. Michkov is giving me a small sweat for my bold prediction that he scores 30 goals. The minutes are way up without Torts so we’re going to get a massive finish from Michkov.
Adam Fox – Three goals and an assist with nine shots over two games. Fox is on the edge between a bottom end #1 and an elite #2. Expect him to get insane minutes down the stretch with the Rangers battling for the last playoff spot.
Mikko Rantanen – Goal and two assists with four shots. After a slow start, Rantanen has seven points in his last four games. Hopefully he salvages a rough second half with a big finish.
Jake Oettinger – 35 saves on 36 shots in the 5-1 win over the Kraken. Oettinger has been amazing down the stretch to move Dallas closer to securing home ice against the Avalanche in the first round.
Anthony Stolarz – 35 saves on 36 shots in the 3-1 win over the Kings. I would start both Maple Leafs goalies whenever they start the rest of the way.
Nico Hischier – Hat trick against the Wild. Hischier has points in nine of his last ten games, carrying a depleted Devils team into the playoffs. There are going to be some rough first round playoff matchups, and then a few bangers. Nice playoff system we have thanks to Bettman.
Jordan Binnington – 28 saves on 29 shots in the 2-1 OT win over the Avalanche. What an insane run by the Blues, to the point where they’re almost a playoff lock. Binnington has won five straight, allowing eight goals total. All of a sudden, he’s a solid #2.
Nikita Kucherov – Goal and three assists with six shots. A second straight four point game and third game in a row with at least three points. All of a sudden, he’s tied with MacKinnon for the points league. What a finish.
Alex Ovechkin – Goal and two assists with three shots. And with that, we’re five away from the record.
Jakob Chychrun – Two goals on four shots. Chychrun was flying all over the ice the entire game, for better and worse. He’s become a clear #1 in fantasy again, and with his massive extension and Carlson aging out, I feel pretty good about him coming close to repeating this.
Andrei Kuzmenko – Goal and two assists with four shots. He’s locked into the top line with Kopitar and Kempe, and now has seven points in six games. He’s a solid streamer.
Sebastian Aho – Two goals and two assists with eight shots and two PIM over two games. Even with a big drop off from last season, Aho is still a top 20 forward. That shows what his floor is right now.
Nick Suzuki – Goal and two assists with two shots against Florida on Sunday. Suzuki has elevated to superstar status in real life and now is pushing towards being a top 50 player going forward.
Lane Hutson – Three assists with a shot against Florida. All your assists are belong to Hutson! He’s going to be a tough one to rank next season because it’s so hard to predict what happens with his shot rate. Right now, it’s dreadful. If it gets to average, he’s a bottom end #1 in 12’ers.
Three Point Challenge: We will do Tuesday’s games per usual. You can’t select Kucherov, MacKinnon, Draisaitl, Eichel, McDavid, Marner, Connor, Pastrnak, Bratt, or Makar. I’ll go with Forsberg against the Blue Jackets.
That’s all for now guys. I’ll be back on Wednesday recapping the action from 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!
