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.
Quinton Byfield, C/LW/RW, LA vs. NYI (45% rostered)
That’s goals in three straight games for Byfield, who has also registered at least three shots in five of his past eight games, which is a pretty big deal for someone who doesn’t shoot the puck that often. The Isles can be stingy but the Kings’ second line has been good with Kevin Fiala, who’s notorious for having strong performances in the second half of the season, on Byfield’s wing.
Dylan Cozens, C, OTT at PHI (38% rostered)
I noted in previous columns and in the latest Sleepers and Keepers fantasy hockey podcast episode that I think Cozens’ game is going to take off after moving from Buffalo. Since joining the Sens, he’s scored two points while adding four shots, 13 faceoff wins and 17 (!) hits. He’s fantastic in multi-category leagues and a matchup against the Flyers will surely be a physical affair.
Ryan O’Reilly, C, NSH at SJ (36% rostered)
A chance for a high-scoring game and seven points in six games for O’Reilly? Sign me up. The Sharks have allowed 4.58 goals per game against the Preds in their past 12 matchups, all of which have been wins for the Preds. O’Reilly has the equally red-hot Steven Stamkos on his wing, who has four goals and eight points in his past three games.
Adam Fantilli, C, CBJ at NJ (32% rostered)
Fantilli’s coming off a hat-trick performance and maintains a very high-scoring pace even though wingers Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov have fallen off a little bit. Fantilli will likely see a lot of Nico Hischier, but the Devils’ center depth is thin without Jack Hughes. Fantilli’s one of the few No. 1 center’s available who’s reliable on almost any given night.
Pavel Dorofeyev, LW/RW, VGK at PIT (31% rostered)
A good matchup against a team with weak defense and weaker goaltending, and playing alongside the red-hot Tomas Hertl at both even strength and on the power play are two big reasons why I like Dorofeyev. He has two assists and 11 shots in his past three games.
Mason McTavish, C, ANA vs. WSH (18% rostered)
McTavish has been on fire with three goals and three assists in his past for games. Playing on the third line with Cutter Gauthier and Sam Colangelo, and playing on home ice, ensures that McTavish is unlikely to see the toughest matchups against the Caps. It should open up a few more opportunities for him, and he’s playing on a PP unit with Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson and Jackson LaCombe for added value.
Morgan Geekie, C/LW/RW, BOS vs. FLA (15% rostered)
The Panthers defense will be depleted with Aaron Ekblad serving a 20-game suspension for using a banned substance. Geekie and the Bruins’ top line is the only one that’s really capable of scoring, and I prefer him over Pavel Zacha due to his slightly higher shot volume and high potential for goals.
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