A light two-game slate for Friday offers up plenty of streaming options, including Ottawa's Josh Norris, New Jersey's Dawson Mercer and Columbus' Kent Johnson, recently just called up from the AHL.
Josh Norris, C, OTT at CLB (31% rostered)
Norris should be the top streaming option playing L1 and PP1 against a poor defensive team. He'll be flanked by Claude Giroux and Brady Tkachuk at even strength. After a three-game dry spell, Norris has popped back on the score sheet with three points in his past three games.
Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJ vs. SJ (28% rostered)
An assist Thursday against the Flyers gave Mercer his fifth point in three games and he's flourishing on a line with Jack Hughes and Tyler Toffoli. Against the league's worst defensive team, there's a good chance Mercer's streak gets extended.
Kent Johnson, C/LW, CLB vs. OTT (3% rostered)
After eight lackluster games this season, including his last game on Nov. 2 against the Lightning when he played just 8:45 and finished with zero points and a minus-2 rating, Johnson was demoted to the AHL to regain his confidence and maybe pack on some more muscle to compete as an everyday player in the NHL.
Well, after scoring 15 points in 10 games with AHL Cleveland, Johnson is back with the big club after Damon Severson was placed on IR and Cole Sillinger was hurt Wednesday against the Habs. Johnson's supremely talented and he'll be put in a position to succeed, playing on the right wing on a line with Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner, with Dmitri Voronkov shifting to center to take Sillinger's spot.
Not sure how long of a leash Pascal Vincent will give Johnson, but it's encouraging that he's being played on the top line right away. Johnson is a high-upside play given his talent, but he comes with considerable risk because there's a chance his ice time is very limited.
Alexander Holtz, RW, NJ vs. SJ (2% rostered)
Holtz's sixth goal of the season against the Flyers was his third in four games, and he's been playing his best in his young career. He's also shooting the puck with a lot more regularity, averaging over four shots per game in his past four games.
Dmitri Voronkov, LW, CLB vs. OTT (2% rostered)
Voronkov will slide to center in Cole Sillinger's absence and that means one thing: faceoffs. Voronkov's offensive production is notable, but as a LW eligible player, getting faceoff wins is a big bonus. With Kirill Marchenko and Yegor Chinakhov on his wings, both of whom are natural wingers and goal scorers, Voronkov's unlikely to cede any faceoffs to them.
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