2 days agoSan Jose Sharks center Logan Couture reached the 30-point mark on Thursday, scoring his 10th goal of the season in a 6-3 loss to the Rangers. Tomas Hertl scored a short-handed goal and Branden Dillon potted one as well, but the Sharks couldn't put an end to their awful losing streak. It's been a horrible season by San Jose, but Couture hasn't let that bother him much, picking up a team-high 30 points in 34 games. He's one of only three players on the team with a positive plus/minus, registering a plus-two. The 30-year-old center is pretty much the only Shark you can currently rely on for consistent production.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoDenver Nuggets forward
Jerami Grant had things going on Thursday when he came off the bench to record a season-high 20 points in 31 minutes in the 15-point win over the Trail Blazers at home. Grant connected on a career-high, five triples and added five rebounds with two steals in this one.
Paul Millsap was unable to finish this game due to quad tightness and is banged up overall. Saying this, if Millsap is to miss some time, Grant is worth an add as a streamer, because we know if he gets the minutes, he can provide fantasy-worthy lines.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoNew York Giants rookie quarterback
Daniel Jones (ankle) is not expected to play in Week 15 against the Dolphins, according to a source. Veteran
Eli Manning will take his place for the second week in a row and will make at least one more home start in his career. Jones was limited in practice this week but needs more time to heal from his high ankle sprain. There's a chance he could return in Week 16. The 22-year-old rookie has shown flashes in 2019, but it's mostly been rough sailing, as he's gone 228-for-370 (61.6 percent) for 2,374 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's also been sacked 33 times and has fumbled 12 times in 11 games. The jury is still out on whether Jones will be the cure for the Giants in the long term, but he's obviously a good dynasty stash. Manning will be a low-end QB2 in Week 15 despite the great matchup against Miami.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
2 days agoNew York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin scored his third career hat trick and added an assist during a four-point performance on Thursday against San Jose. Mika Zibanejad also had an outstanding game in a 6-3 win, notching two goals. Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil both registered two assists, Jesper Fast tallied a goal and an assist. Panarin became the 17th player in league history to score each of his first three career hat tricks with three different teams. It's been a nice first season as a Ranger for the Russian, who is up to 18 goals and 41 points for the year.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoPortland Trail Blazers guard
Damian Lillard converted just five of 16 shooting from the floor en route to just 13 points in the 114-99 loss to the Nuggets on Thursday. Lillard did salvage his night by adding 11 assists with two rebounds and a steal while making two triples in this one. In six games in December, Lillard is shooting 43.0% from the floor and is averaging just 23.2 points, but has seen his assists jump to 8.2 a night in that span. Owners will not get any more games out Dame this weekend but will have to wait until Monday when his club takes on the
Devin Booker and the Suns.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoNew York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss stopped 32 shots during Thursday's 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers. The veteran netminder has been fantastic to start the 2019-20 campaign. He owns an 11-4-0 record to go along with a 2.16 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. Although the 33-year-old has been splitting starts with Semyon Varlamov, the duo are both viable fantasy options. Finding a way to own both netminders is an ideal scenario as the Islanders are a stout defensive unit.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoNew York Giants tight end
Evan Engram (foot) is not expected to play in Week 15 against the Dolphins, according to a source. The Giants were hoping he would be able to return this Sunday after getting in limited practices, but his sprained foot just isn't healing fast enough for him to return. With the Giants not playing for anything, there is no sense for them to rush Engram back. If
Rhett Ellison (concussion) can't get cleared, rookie
Kaden Smith would again be the primary pass-catching tight end for the G-Men. In a great matchup against Miami, that would make him an upside TE2 streamer in deeper leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
2 days agoCleveland Browns running back
Kareem Hunt draws a plus road matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. The Cardinals are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the running back position this season. That being said, Arizona's defense is much worse against the pass, which plays right into Hunt's hands as he has basically been Cleveland's No. 3 option in the passing game since returning from suspension in Week 10. Fire up Hunt as a locked-in RB2 in all formats heading into the fantasy semi-finals this weekend.
--Matt Terelle - RotoBallerSource: www.NFL.com
2 days agoPortland Trail Blazers center
Hassan Whiteside continued to provide elite stat lines, and this time it was against the Nuggets in the 15-point loss on Thursday. Whiteside connected on a career-high 33 points, as he drilled a ridiculous 15 of 21 from the floor, which included a make from three. The big man did not stop there, as he added 11 rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 35 minutes of action. What else could you ask for from Whiteside, who was selected in the later rounds of most drafts and is now providing early round numbers in all formats?
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) is not expected to play in Week 15 on Sunday night against the Bills after aggravating his knee during practice on Thursday, according to a source. It's just another bit of disappointment in a rough season for Smith-Schuster without
Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) for the majority of the season. The team's No. 1 wideout will be missing his fourth straight game. He had already become more of a WR3 in an offense now led by third-string quarterback
Devlin Hodges anyway.
James Washington and
Diontae Johnson will be the top two wideouts again with Smith-Schuster out, but both are extremely difficult to get behind in the fantasy semifinals in a tough matchup against Buffalo.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
2 days agoNew York Islanders center Mathew Barzal recorded a power-play goal during Thursday's 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old has been the focal point of the Islanders' offense to start the season. Barzal leads the team with 27 points through 30 games. Although the Islanders are a modest offensive unit, they still have a few players that are valid fantasy assets. Jordan Eberle also produced two power-play assists in the contest. The team will be back in action on Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoCleveland Browns running back
Nick Chubb will travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in Week 15. Chubb is coming off his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season and will take aim at an Arizona defense that is allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the running back position. The only concern for Chubb here is that this game turns into a pass-happy shootout, which would benefit
Kareem Hunt more. Either way, Chubb is Cleveland's preferred goal-line back and should see at least 20 touches in Week 15, making him a low-end RB1 in all formats.
--Matt Terelle - RotoBallerSource: www.NFL.com
2 days agoCleveland Browns quarterback
Baker Mayfield draws an excellent Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have been one of the most generous defenses in the league for opposing passing attacks, allowing the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Mayfield's on-field performance hasn't been great this season but he has the weapons and the matchup lined up in Week 15, giving him a good chance to finish as a QB1 in the fantasy semifinals. Treat Mayfield as a low-end QB1 with plenty of upside this weekend.
--Matt Terelle - RotoBallerSource: www.NFL.com
2 days agoLos Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick earned his ninth victory of the year in the team's 2-1 win over the Ducks on Thursday. He faced 37 shots in the game and saved all but one of them. Quick has definitely been better this year than he was last year, but that's not really saying much. He's allowing 3.03 goals-against this year, compared with 3.38 last year. His career goals-against average is 2.39. At this point in his career, Quick is a shell of what he used to be and is a low-end fantasy goaltender on a struggling Kings team.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBoston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron opened the scoring during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The slick 34-year-old has missed nine games due to injury this season, but he has still produced 26 points in 24 games. Bergeron, alongside linemates Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, is one of the more consistent fantasy assets in the league. Aside from the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Bergeron has not had less than 52 points in a campaign since 2008-09. Start him with confidence on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoTampa Bay Lightning right wing Steven Stamkos scored once at even strength and once on the power play during Thursday's 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. The 29-year-old has been rounding into form as of late, tallying seven points over his past four games. He is now up to 13 goals, 16 assists, 12 power-play points, and 86 shots through 27 games. When Stamkos is on a hot streak, there are not many players better than him. Nikita Kucherov also picked up two assists in the contest. Both players are must-start options heading into Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoLos Angeles Kings right wing Tyler Toffoli assisted both of the team's goals in their 2-1 win over the Ducks on Thursday. He now has 10 assists over 32 games on the year. Toffoli is tied with Dustin Brown for third on the team in points with 17. However, the Kings haven't had a very prolific offense this year. They're averaging 2.48 goals per game, the fourth-lowest clip in the league. Toffoli is steady and should end up somewhere around 40 points by the end of the season as long as he stays healthy.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoNashville Predators center Matt Duchene ended a four-game pointless drought with a goal during Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old has had an average season during his first year with the Predators, tallying eight goals and 13 assists through his first 29 games. Duchene still sees time on the top power-play unit, but unfortunately, he does not play alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen on the top line. Nevertheless, Duchene is a viable mid-tier fantasy asset in most formats, although he has likely regressed to a waiver option in shallow leagues. He will be back in action on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoBuffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark allowed three goals on 39 shots during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. The Swedish netminder has now won three starts in a row, posting a .927 save percentage in the process. The former sixth-round pick has seemingly wrestled away the starting role from Carter Hutton, which makes him a viable fantasy asset in the majority of formats. He will look to build on his 10-6-2 record in the Sabres' next game on Saturday against the New York Islanders.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoNew York Giants quarterback
Eli Manning will get one more chance to prove his value on Sunday.
Daniel Jones (ankle) is not expected to play, which means Manning gets a prime matchup against a
Dolphins Defense that ranks 27th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Manning didn't look great on Monday; he remains relatively immobile and can't buy time in the pocket, but the Dolphins don't generate a lot of pressure, and Manning showed a good rapport with his young receivers. With this likely a close game, Manning should have to keep throwing and could provide value in a 14 team leagues or perhaps in DFS tournament lineups.
--Eric Samulski - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Raanan
2 days agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo shut out the Penguins during regulation of Thursday's game, but a puck eventually slipped through in overtime, leading to a 1-0 Penguins victory. Korpisalo recorded 31 saves on 32 shots in the game. It's been a solid season for Korpisalo, despite the team struggling around him. In the Blue Jackets' previous game on Monday, Korpisalo made 37 saves on 39 shots to lead the team to victory. On the year, he's 12-10-2, while his backup Elvis Merzlikins is 0-4-3. Korpisalo will look to get back in the win column as the team faces the Senators on Saturday.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoBuffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel scored twice at even strength during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. The 23-year-old has produced 27 points during his scintillating streak. Eichel now sits second in the league in goals (22) and sixth in the league in points (46). He is on pace to smash his career highs across the board and has shown no signs of slowing down. If you are one of the managers that have the pleasure of owning Eichel, be thankful. Lock him into your lineups every night and throw away the key.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
2 days agoPittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust scored the lone goal in the Penguins' 1-0 overtime win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The Penguins put 31 shots on Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo in the game before one eventually got through. Rust had a game-high six shots. November was a fantastic month for Rust as he recorded eight goals and seven assists over 12 games. Thursday's goal was his first of December and his 10th on the year. He's worth owning and starting in most season-long leagues as a steady contributor on a high-scoring Penguins offense.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoWinnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck struggled against the Red Wings on Thursday, allowing four goals on 33 shots in the team's 5-2 loss. The fifth goal of the game came on an empty net. Hellebuyck has had a great season and this game against an abysmal Red Wings offense came as quite a surprise. He's now 15-8-2 with a 2.31 goals-against average on the year. He'll look to rebound as the Jets host the Flyers on Sunday.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoWinnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor had his first multi-goal game of the year on Thursday. Unfortunately, they were the team's only two goals as the team fell to the Red Wings 5-2. Connor now has 13 goals and 16 assists over 32 games on the year. Connor had a season-high eight shots in the game, while no other Jet had more than four. He ranks in the top-three on the team in goals, assists and points. He's proving to be a solid producer and should be owned and started in most season-long leagues going forward.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoThe Detroit Red Wings ended a 12-game losing streak on Thursday by defeating the Jets 5-2. It was the team's first five-goal game since their first game of the year. Right wing Filip Zadina and defenseman Filip Hronek were both productive in the game, recording a goal and two assists each. Zadina's goal was his first NHL goal of the year and the game came right after he was called up from Grand Rapids after a brief demotion. Hronek, meanwhile, now has seven goals on the year to lead all Detroit defenseman. Zadina isn't particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes at this point, but Hronek is proving to have some value as a defenseman with goal-scoring abilities.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoDetroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri recorded two goals and an assist in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Jets. It was Fabbri's second two-goal game of the year and he now has eight goals and seven assists over 16 games this season. One of Fabbri's goals came on a power play and the assist was on a power play as well. Fabbri spent his first five NHL seasons with the St. Louis Blues and had never produced points at a clip like he has so far in his first year with the Red Wings. If he continues to earn a spot in the lineup, he's worth a look in both season-long leagues and DFS play in favorable matchups as long as he stays hot.
--Andrew Ericksen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom recorded his first shutout of the season on Thursday with a 43-save effort in a 1-0 win over Carolina. The Swedish netminder tied Cory Schneider for the second-most saves in a shutout in Canucks history. Elias Pettersson picked up his 100th career point with a game-winning goal in overtime. Markstrom had a miserable six-game losing streak last month, but he's slowly started to regain his form. His record for the season now stands at 9-8-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoDetroit Pistons point guard
Derrick Rose provided 19 points off the bench in Thursday's loss to Dallas, shooting 7-for-16 from the field and doing most of his damage from downtown with a 5-for-10 mark. Rose also had four assists and a pair of steals in the game in 26 minutes. This was a bit of a bizarre performance from the former MVP, who hadn't attempted close to 10 treys in any previous game this season. In fact, he had only 14 total attempts for the whole month in five outings. Rose should get plenty of good looks again on Saturday against the Rockets, who lack consistency in their defensive play and who are giving up the fourth-most three-point attempts per game this season.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoDetroit Pistons center
Andre Drummond didn't let an allergic reaction stop him from putting on a show in Mexico City on Thursday. He picked up a big double-double against the Mavs with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while adding three steals, one block, and one assist. He missed only four of his 14 shots and ended up logging 34 minutes despite being a game-time decision. Drummond has failed to deliver a double-double in just four games this season and only
Giannis Antetokounmpo has more double-doubles (22) for the year than the Pistons center (21). He is once again leading the league in rebounding with 16.6 boards per game. Drummond is set to face off with another eager glass-eater on Saturday when the Pistons visit Houston and
Clint Capela, who is averaging 14.7 rebounds per game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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