2 days agoToronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (illness) won't be available for Saturday's big matchup against the Bruins. The Russian netminder is battling an illness, and Joseph Woll is penciled in to make a fourth consecutive start. The 2023-24 campaign has been a bumpy one for Samsonov, as he has posted a 4-1-3 record with a 3.58 goals-against average and a .878 save percentage. Woll has outplayed him in all areas and will have another opportunity to impress on Saturday. Martin Jones has been called up from the minors to work as Woll's backup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Maple Leafs PR
2 days agoDetroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (personal) is expected to be back in the lineup on Saturday versus the Canadiens. The American star has missed two games and revealed on Friday that he and his wife, Kenzy, have lost their baby, due in April 2024. Larkin exited the lineup with a three-game goal streak. He's had an outstanding campaign on the top line with 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) 20 games. J.T. Compher filled in for Larkin on the top line earlier in the week and will drop down in the lineup on Saturday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Helene St. James
2 days agoMontreal Canadiens center Alex Newhook has been ruled out for 10-12 weeks with a high ankle sprain. He was injured in Thursday's game versus Florida and will start a lengthy absence on Saturday as the Canadiens host Detroit. Newhook has been playing a big role for the team lately, as Montreal has lost several other forwards to injury. He has scored seven goals and sits on 13 points through 23 outings.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoSan Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 44-of-47 shots on goal in Friday's 6-3 victory against the Devils. Kahkonen matched his season-high with the 44-save performance, while he has earned three wins over his previous four starts. Kahkonen had a rough start to the season with five consecutive losses prior to picking up his first win, but the 27-year-old has shown improvement in recent times and carries season totals of a 3.99 goals against average and .896 save percentage through 10 appearances.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoSan Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund finished with a goal and two assists in Friday's 6-3 victory against the Devils. Granlund's three-point performance was his first of the season, while he has collected six points over the previous four games. Granlund's fantasy value is limited to deeper formats as the center has season totals of two goals and 10 points through 17 games.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoSan Jose Sharks left wing Anthony Duclair scored two goals in Friday's 6-3 victory against the Devils. The 28-year-old recorded his first multi-goal game of the season as he scored in the second and third period of the contest, while he ended an eight-game goalless drought with the quality performance. Duclair has totaled five goals and two assists through 21 games, resulting in limited fantasy value on the league's lowest scoring team.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoNew Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec made his NHL debut and picked up two assists in Friday's 6-3 loss against the Sharks. Nemec was having a productive season with the Utica Comets of the AHL, as he totaled eight points through 13 games to lead all defensemen on the team. The 19-year-old was selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, following the first overall selection of fellow Slovakian Juraj Slafkovsky by the Canadiens. Nemec will remain in the lineup while the Devils deal with multiple injuries to their blue line, and the young defenseman carries significant value in dynasty and keeper formats.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoNew Jersey Devils defense prospect Simon Nemec has been recalled from the Utica Comets of the AHL. The second pick of the 2022 NHL draft will likely make his debut at some point soon with Dougie Hamilton (upper body) going on IR Friday. The 19-year-old has looked the part in the AHL so far, posting eight points (two goals, six assists) in 13 games so far this season after collecting 34 points in 65 games last year. He will likely be given sheltered minutes to start his NHL career but could see second powerplay duties. Nemec should be rostered in all dynasty leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Novozinsky
3 days agoVegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (lower body) left Thursday's game against the Vancouver Canucks early. The exit has been called precautionary, so the hope would be that Hill doesn't miss any time. The 27-year-old was looking sharp as usual before he left, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Hill has been Vegas' 1A so far this season and has posted incredible numbers, with a 10-2-2 record to go with a .935 SV%, 1.87 GAA, and 13.1 GSAA. He has outplayed Logan Thompson so far and should get the majority of the Golden Knights starts moving forward, although Thompson will get his fair share as well. He is one of the best fantasy options for the goalie position.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Danny Webster
3 days agoNew Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier (lower body) could return Friday against the San Jose Sharks, according to head coach Lindy Ruff. Meier has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, but after skating Wednesday on his own, he could be an option for Friday. With the Devils having three days between games after Friday, the team could be cautious with Meier and have him return next Tuesday. Either way, the 27-year-old should be back soon and will slot right back into the top six and first power-play unit. He is a must-start player in fantasy when he's active.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: James Nichols
3 days agoThe Montreal Canadiens have signed goaltender Sam Montembeault to a three-year extension worth $9.45 million ($3.15 million AAV). The 27-year-old has had a couple of solid seasons for the Habs and is having the best season of his career this year, posting a 5-3-1 record with a .910 SV%, 2.73 GAA, and 2.2 GSAA. The Canadiens have awarded him for this with a deal that makes him a key part of their plans in net for the next three years. He should see at least half of the team's games and is a usable option in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Frank Seravalli
3 days agoThe Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames in exchange for two draft picks. The picks are a 2024 fifth-round and a 2026 third-round selection. Vancouver bolsters their defense by adding Zadorov to the team, as he should immediately see second-pairing minutes for the Canucks. The six-foot-six Russian also adds a physical element, posting 41 hits and 19 blocks over 21 games with the Flames this season. Calgary gets a few low-end picks back and gains some cap space in the deal.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Calgary Flames
3 days agoVegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel produced a goal and two assists as the team put a stop to a three-game slide on Thursday with an impressive 4-1 win over Vancouver. The Golden Knights became only the second team this season to beat the Canucks in their own barn, with Eichel logging two points in the first period and adding a power-play assist in the second. The team's recent struggles have also affected Eichel's numbers, but he's still managed to average a point per game for the season, with nine goals and 15 assists on his account through 24 contests.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoSt. Louis Blues forward Brayden Schenn ended a dry spell with two goals and an assist in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Sabres. After having tallied only one point in his previous seven outings, Schenn bagged a power-play goal with five minutes played and added two more points in even-strength situations in the second period. The veteran has been inconsistent in 2023-24, to say the least. He had three outings with three-plus points in November, but Schenn couldn't add any points to his tally in nine of his 15 appearances during the month. For the campaign overall, Schenn has produced eight goals and 14 points in 22 games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoNew York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson helped to set up three goals as the team defeated Carolina 5-4 in overtime on Thursday. Dobson's playmaking came in key moments as well, as he had a hand in all of the team's final three goals, including Mathew Barzal's overtime winner. The 23-year-old has taken a giant leap in his offensive game this season, averaging close to a point per game after being around the 0.60-point mark in the past two seasons. Dobson boasts 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 22 appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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