On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
Patrik Laine, LW/RW, MTL @ OTT (42% rostered)
Laine hit the 20-goal mark for the seventh time in his career Sunday. This season, Laine hit that mark in just 48 games due to injuries. Fifteen of the 20 markers came on the power play, where Laine has been a massive threat, matching the second highest total of his career. Laine is being deployed on the third line, where he is seeing limited even-strength minutes, as his overall ice time is down again this year. But as long as he produces on the man-advantage, the Habs will be happy.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, TB vs. Det (13% rostered)
Bjorkstrand raised his game Wednesday, notching a goal and an assist with Jake Guentzel sidelined awaiting the birth of his child. His uptick in production goes back longer than that, as Bjorkstrand has four goals and as many helpers over his last 10 contests. Overall, Bjorkstrand has produced 21 goals, 25 assists, 147 shots on net, 74 hits and a plus-2 rating over 77 outings this season, the fifth straight season he has notched at least 44 points.
Will Smith © Robert Edwards-Imagn ImagesWill Smith, C/LW, SJ @ MIN (12% rostered)
Smith continued his recent hot stretch, tallying a goal and three assists Wednesday. The fourth overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft has 21 points in his last 20 games as he found his footing in the league. Smith's uptick in production has the 20-year-old forward up to 17 goals, 44 points and 121 shots on goal in 70 appearances this season. The presence and growth of Smith and Macklin Celebrini (who notched his first career hat trick Wednesday) has the Sharks; organization and their fanbase excited for the future.
Marcus Foligno, LW/RW, MIN @ CGY (12% rostered)
Foligno experienced a bit of a rough patch coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, failing to score for 10 straight contests after tallying an assist in the first contest after that extended vacation. He then missed five games with an upper body, but has returned with a vengeance, notching a pair of goals and four helpers - including two Wednesday - in seven games. Minnesota and Foligno, who skated on the second line, benefited from the return of both Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov on Wednesday.
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