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 and/or for daily fantasy games.
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. NYR (87% rostered) - FanDuel $5,700
Rielly has posted 41 point seasons in 2022-23 and 2024-25 while knocking it a bit more out of the park in even seasons with 68 points in 2021-22 and 58 points in 2023-24. Lo and behold, this is an even year, so he is expected to have a more productive campaign. Rielly is doing his best to make that come true, notching a goal and three assists in four games. Part of the reason for increased expectations is that Rielly is once again manning the point on the power play with Mitch Marner now in Vegas.
Matthew Schaefer, NYI vs. EDM (68% rostered) - FanDuel $5,000
The rostered percentage and FanDuel price for Schaefer continues to rise. Notching a point in each of his first three games in the NHL, coupled with an increase in ice time in general, and especially on the power play, are the reasons why. Schaefer saw 6:50 in power play time on ice Monday, replacing Tony DeAngelo on the point. His price is only going to rise, so get on board now.
Vince Dunn, SEA @ OTT (86% rostered) - FanDuel $5,600
Dunn has seen his production decline the past two seasons, dropping from 64 to 46 to 39 points. He is doing his best early this season to remedy that, notching a goal and three assists in three contests with two of those points coming on the man advantage. Dunn has seen a slight uptick in ice time on the man-advantage, which is aiding his hot start to the season.
Alexander Nikishin, CAR @ ANA (82% rostered) - FanDuel $3,700
Nikishin has yet to light the lamp but has notched an assist each of his first three games this season. All three assists have come at even strength because Nikishin has yet to see one second on the power play. Shayne Gostisbehere is manning the point on the first unit while K'Andre Miller and Sean Walker are on the point on the second unit. Ghost makes sense as does Miller to a certain extent, though at some point, Nikishin should replace Walker.
Harrison Brunicke, PIT @ LA (1% rostered) - FanDuel $3,200
Brunicke started the first three games of the season but was a healthy scratch Tuesday. If he is in the lineup, Brunicke might see time at the point on the second power play unit. He was in that spot the first three contests of the season, giving him a modicum of value. He is worth a look if building a lineup and need a d-man flier with some upside.
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