Avalanche Seek Magic Touch with Nichushkin Back in Play
The Colorado Avalanche welcome a familiar boost as Valeri Nichushkin regains his form, reasserting his position both in power play and at even strength. His critical return sees him sharing ice with Avalanche elites Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. As the Avalanche gear up for their four-game schedule, embracing matchups against the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings, Nichushkin’s contributions will be pivotal.
The Sabres and Hurricanes present opportunities with their susceptibility to power-play chances; they rank among the bottom 10 in power-play opportunities allowed. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are at the bottom of the league in power-play goals allowed. For Nichushkin and the Avalanche, exploiting these vulnerabilities could be the key to a successful run this week.
Columbus Blue Jackets Riding a Streak
While the Avalanche are set for important face-offs, the Columbus Blue Jackets have enjoyed a consistent run of form, accumulating points in their past six games. A significant force on the team, Kent Johnson, extends his point streak to five games, showing grit and talent since returning from injury. His performance, averaging 2.82 fantasy points per game, tabled alongside Dante Fabbro's 2.71 over seven games, underscores the Blue Jackets’ current upswing in form.
Sharks Ride on Celebrini's Surge
Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks is casting a long shadow across the NHL arenas, averaging an impressive 3.35 fantasy points per game over their last six outings. Celebrini’s outstanding display is catching the eyes of many, as indicated by a rise in rostership from 57% to 66% within just a week. This uptick reflects his value to fantasy managers and his increasing role within the team's on-ice strategies.
Leafs and Rangers Counting on Returnees and Scorers
The Toronto Maple Leafs see Matthew Knies rejoining their ranks over the weekend, just in time for their packed schedule against formidable rivals on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Joseph Woll, the Maple Leafs’ goaltender, bolsters the team's defense, averaging an impressive 4.2 fantasy points per game, a beacon of consistency in the net.
New York Rangers' Will Cuylle has been an offensive revelation, finding the net in eight of his past ten games, providing crucial attacking depth and highlighting his surge in form. His scoring touch is expected to be a constant threat to opposing defenses as the Rangers pursue further success.
Senators' and Oilers' Key Men
Over in Ottawa, Adam Gaudette demonstrates his offensive prowess with 12 goals to his name this season, serving as a key player in rejuvenating the Senators' attacking dynamics. Meanwhile, in Edmonton, Kasperi Kapanen experiences playing time alongside the soaring Connor McDavid at even strength for the Oilers. This pairing offers a significant upside in performance as these star players seek to push their teams up the ranks.
As the NHL season progresses, these narratives underline the continuously evolving dynamics of the league. The return of pivotal players, the streaks of rising stars, and tactical exploitation of opposition weaknesses all weave a rich tapestry of sport and strategy, capturing the admiration and individual efforts that define the league each week.