Lucas Raymond Breaks Goal Drought

In the whirlwind of NHL action, Lucas Raymond has broken a 10-game goal drought with a spectacular goal against the Vegas Golden Knights, bringing his tally to six points in his last five games. At just 23 years old, Raymond leads his team with an impressive 69 points - a noteworthy 10 points ahead of his closest teammate, Dylan Larkin.

Petr Mrazek Shines in Goal

In the same game, goaltender Petr Mrazek showcased his skills by stopping all 18 shots he faced, securing his first shutout of the season. This marks Mrazek's third consecutive start, a testament to the Red Wings' confidence in him heading into a crucial playoff stretch. However, fantasy managers should note that Detroit has only two games next week against formidable opponents, Washington and Vegas, so it might not be the best time to add Mrazek to your roster.

Victor Olofsson's Struggles

On the flip side, Victor Olofsson started the season strong with a significant power-play presence but has since found himself in a depth role, recording only three points in his last 18 games.

Avalanche Edge Stars in Thrilling Matchup

In a thrilling matchup that could preview the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche edged out the Dallas Stars with Cale Makar scoring the overtime winner. Makar was a standout performer with three points, while Valeri Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon also made significant contributions. Colorado had the advantage in power plays, leading to a shot total that heavily favored the Avalanche.

Brock Nelson's Role Shift

Brock Nelson, who recently joined Colorado, has had a rocky start with only two points in his first five games, logging under 17 minutes of ice time per game as he transitions roles. The shift to the second power-play unit is concerning, especially with Jonathan Drouin stepping into a prominent role on PP1. However, playing alongside talented linemates could still offer opportunities for Nelson to impact the game at even strength, despite his current frustrations in shooting production, with just four shots in five games.

Jonathan Drouin Bounces Back

Drouin, after a stint off the top power-play unit, bounced back with a power-play assist and a goal against Dallas, showcasing his potential to contribute.

Mikko Rantanen's Return

Mikko Rantanen made a quiet return to Colorado, contributing an assist while playing alongside stars Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, who have been pivotal in their offensive strategy. Robertson has been on fire, scoring nine goals in just 11 games since the Four Nations break.

Jamie Benn's Reduced Role

In contrast, Jamie Benn of the Stars has seen a significant reduction in his role despite Dallas strengthening its offense ahead of the trade deadline, averaging less than 14 minutes of ice time and only contributing three points in his last eight outings.

Igor Shesterkin's Mixed Outing

Meanwhile, Igor Shesterkin had a mixed outing in goal for the Rangers, struggling under pressure despite previous successes. Young player Will Cuylle is making waves with a three-game point streak, aided by playing alongside stars Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.

Edmonton's Offensive Stars

In a dazzling display, Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl extended his point streak to an astonishing 18 games. Connor McDavid also continued his impressive run with 11 consecutive games with points.

Corey Perry Steps Up

With Zach Hyman missing from the lineup, Corey Perry stepped up on the power play, scoring his 15th goal of the season, showcasing the depth within the Oilers’ offense.

New York Islanders Bounce Back

Despite a challenging game against Florida, the New York Islanders came back with a strong third period to secure victory, and Simon Holmstrom’s empty-net goal marked five points in his last eight games, highlighting his growing role on the team.

Cutter Gauthier Trending Up

Cutter Gauthier is also currently trending upward with 12 points in his last 12 games, making him a player to keep an eye on as he continues to gain momentum. Additionally, Mason McTavish has been impactful, leading his team with 13 points over the same stretch.

Jordan Kyrou's Standout Performance

In the St. Louis victory, Jordan Kyrou was a standout, notching three assists and further proving his worth as a player to target for fantasy matchups this week, especially with the Blues' favorable schedule ahead.

Dylan Samberg as a Sneaky Add

Lastly, for those in deeper leagues looking for sneaky adds, Dylan Samberg had a standout performance, recording a game-winning goal and tracking solid defense metrics, potentially making him a valuable asset as the season progresses.

Closing Thoughts

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the NHL season heats up!