Erik Brannstrom has big shoes to fill as he's tapped to quarterback the Canucks power play in Quinn Hughes' absence.
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 can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
Luke Hughes, NJ at CAR (48% rostered)
Hughes has really turned a corner lately. Despite playing behind Dougie Hamilton on the power play, Hughes has managed to find the score sheet rather easily lately anyway, scoring two goals and six assists in his past six games. It's another tough matchup against the Canes, but they'll be starting backup Dustin Tokarski, which should make the Devils' job easier.
Olen Zellweger, ANA vs. PHI (9% rostered)
Jackson LaCombe had been quarterbacking the Ducks' top PP but it was Zellweger who took that spot during Friday's skate. LaCombe has not scored a point in three straight games and the Ducks are likely changing things up to see if they can spark their floundering offense. Zellweger notched two assists on Dec. 22 against Utah, and now faces the Flyers' 21st-ranked PK. The problem with the Ducks is that they constantly rotate their PP QB's because they have so many candidates. Zellweger, however, is their top choice at the moment.
Erik Brannstrom, VAN vs. SEA (0% rostered)
Brannstrom sat out the final three games prior to the holiday break as a healthy scratch, but ended up practicing with the top power play during Friday's skate. Captain Quinn Hughes is considered doubtful for the Saturday matinee, which means Brannstrom is going to be thrust into the spotlight despite not having played in over a week. It's not ideal, but this is a good position to be in for Brannstrom.
The Canucks power play will be far less effective without Hughes and Elias Pettersson, who's also considered doubtful, but this puts Brannstrom on the ice with their best players, something that doesn't happen very often at even strength.
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