Five-game docket sees two Swedes - Carlsson and Edvinsson - as the ones to play
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.
Forwards
Yegor Chinakhov, RW, CLM vs. PIT (17% rostered)
Chinakhov started the season on fire, then hit the skids. He posted three and four assists his first five games of the season, which was then followed by just two helpers his next seven contests. Chinakhov snapped an eight-game goal drought with his first-period tally this past Sunday and is still seeing second-line minutes at even-strength and first unit power-play action.
Anthony Beauvillier, PIT @ CLM (2% rostered)
Beauvillier has a goal in consecutive contests, tallying Monday and Wednesday, to shake off a six-game slump. Coach Mike Sullivan started Beauvillier on the top line, though be careful not to overrate as Sully has a tendency to shake up his lines in game. Beauvillier had his best season in 2022-23 with the Islanders and Canucks, but has yet to live up to his 2015 first round status.
Aliaksei Protas, LW, WSH @ COL (14% rostered)
All the rightful focus on Connor McMichael has taken some of the limelight away from Protas. He has capitalized on his spot at even strength alongside Alex Ovechkin, and the 23-year-old has four multi-point performances in the last eight games, piling up five goals and 11 points during that time. The caveats are that Protas is not seeing consistent power-play time while also shooting 23.1 percent, which will decline. But roll with him while he is hot.
Luke Evangelista, RW, NSH @ CGY (2% rostered)
Evangelista tallied 16 goals and 23 assists as a rookie last season. The acquisitions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault meant that Evangelista would skate on the third line to start the season. Evangelista got off to a rough start, posting just five points his first 12 games, but has found his for lately. He has notched points in three of his last four games, with one goal and two assists in that span.
Pavel Dorofeyev, LW/RW, LV @ UTAH (30% rostered)
Dorofeyev has five goals over his last six games, and he's up to nine tallies, three assists, 48 shots on net and a minus-3 rating over 16 appearances. He showed signs last season of being a scoring option, posting 13 goals and 24 points in 47 appearances despite averaging only 13:17 of ice time. Dorofeyev is locked in as a second-line winger, affording him continual value.
Leo Carlsson, ANA vs. DET (13% rostered)
Carlsson, limited to 55 games last season due to injury, was still able to post 12 goals and 29 points. Surrounded by young talent, Carlson is still trying to find his way in Anaheim, as he has skated with a variety of linemates, Carlson's production has been uneven; ending a four-game slump last Sunday before getting shut up again Wednesday. The Ducks' offense has been pop-gun at best, scoring three or more goals just five times in 15 contests, but they are committed to Carlsson as their first-line center.
Defensemen
Marcus Pettersson, PIT vs. CLM (4% rostered)
Pettersson is not a big-scorer, as the 30 points he posted last season were a career-high. His value comes in the steadiness he provides on the blueliner, coupled with the ancillary stats - time on ice, hits, blocked shots - he contributes. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Pettersson will be a hit, targeted commodity at the trade deadline. For now, though, he is a solid third option on Pittsburgh's defense.
Simon Edvinsson, DET @ ANA (4% rostered)
Edvinsson scored the game-winning goal in Detroit's 3-2 overtime victory over the Penguins on Wednesday. His performance has been slow and steady in this, his first full season in the NHL.Taken sixth overall in 2021, the Red Wings envision Edvinsson and Moritz Seider as their bookend elite blueliners for years to come. The ascent may take a while, but Edvinsson has the talent to get there.
