Protas' hot streak makes him the one to grab on a four-game Friday
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
Andrew Copp, C/LW, DET @ TOR (2% rostered)
Copp's production has been sporadic, but on a four-game schedule night, he is worth a flier. Following his empty-net tally Wednesday, Copp is up to five goals in 12 games while skating as the second-line left wing. Copp has scored 20 goals once in his career, 2021-22 with the Jets and Rangers, maybe this season will be the second time?
Aliaksei Protas, C/LW, WSH vs. PIT (13% rostered)
Protas' rostered percentage has been steadily rising for a good reason. He has goals in four of his last five games, netting that many tallies to go with four helpers. Protas is averaging a point-per-game, with much of the production in this current hot streak. The Capitals are deploying Protas as the left wing on their first line alongside Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin.
Marcus Johansson, LW, MIN @ ANA (1% rostered)
This one is a pure dart throw. Mo Jo is skating on the second line for the Wild, who are looking for supplemental production. He is scoreless in his last six contests but is worth a look see just in case he can run into one on a light night on the NHL docket.
Brett Howden, C/LW, LV @ SEA (3% rostered)
Who had Howden with six goals at the beginning of November? He looks like the player Tampa thought they were getting at 27 in the first round in 2016 and the Rangers acquired in the Ryan McDonagh deal. Howden is providing Vegas second-line production at a reasonable AAV and is setting himself up for a long-term deal after his current contract expires at the end of the season.
Defensemen
Marcus Pettersson, PIT @ WSH (4% rostered)
Pettersson set new personal bests in nearly every statistical category last season. That included goals (four), assists (26), points (30), shots on net (106), plus-minus (28) and average ice time (22:40). He is only early pace to come close to or exceed several of those numbers this season, having settled in as second-pair blueliner. Pettersson is the defensive ballast to Erik Karlsson on that duo.
Owen Zellweger, ANA vs. LV (4% rostered)
Zellweger, who looks like a second-round steal at 34 overall in 2021, is settling in nicely in his first season as a full-time starter. He is up to two goals, two assists, 28 shots on net, 10 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating while skating 19:30 a game over 11 appearances. Anaheim is chock full of young blueline options, but Zellweger is already a stalwart on the Ducks' power play as he continues his steady ascension.