Fantasy Hockey News

Torey Krug was forced out of Sunday night's shootout loss to the Flyers with an upper body injury. Urho Vaakanainen has been called up from AHL Providence on an emergency basis, which portends that the injury will keep Krug out of action for a bit. (Source: Joe Haggerty on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Krug and teammate Charlie McAvoy are two of the Bruins' must-own defenseman from a fantasy standpoint. He has 11 points in his last 12 games, and ranked third among NHL defensemen in power-play points in 2018-19.

The Capitals announced that backup goalie Samsonov will be in net Monday versus the Arizona Coyotes. (Source: Washington Capitals via Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 22-year-old rookie has shown very well this season with a record of 5-1 (in six games), GAA of 2.38 and .915 save pct. Fantasy players may want to start this "dark horse."

Panik had been on long-term IR since he was injured in a collision mid-October. He will play on the third line with Chandler Stephenson and Lars Eller (Source: Samantha Pell via Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In the eight games he played this season, the 28-year-old winger has not recorded any points, so he is not significant for fantasy.

Brad Marchand's third period goal sent the Bruins and Flyers to overtime Sunday, where the Flyers prevailed 3-2 in a shootout.

Fantasy Impact: It was Marchand's 11th goal of the season, snapping a two game pointless streak for the notorious Boston forward. Marchand's 29 points are fourth-most in the NHL to start the season.

Danton Heinen scored his fourth goal of the season in Boston's 3-2 shootout loss against the Flyers Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Heinen is coming off a 12 goal campaign in '18-19. This season he's seeing time on the Bruins second line and first power play unit. He scored 16 goals and 31 assists in '17-18, numbers that he could approach again if his increased playing time is sustained. He's worthy of keeping an eye on in deeper fantasy leagues.

David Pastrnak was held to a second straight game without a goal for the first time this season as the Bruins fell to the Flyers 3-2 in overtime Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Pastrnak has nine shots-on-goal in the last two games of the Bruins three game losing streak, but nothing to show for it. His 15 goals lead the NHL entering play Monday.

Jaroslav Halak allowed two goals on 29 shots but allowed a shootout goal to Joel Farabee as the Bruins fell in OT to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: After a sparkling start, the Bruins elite goalie tandem of Tuukka Rask and Halak have stumbled in the past week. Each remain top tier fantasy options, nevertheless.

Andreas Johnsson scored a power-play goal - his fifth goal of the season - and added a power-play assist in the Maple Leafs' 5-4 loss to Chicago on Sunday. He also had four shots on goal.

Fantasy Impact: After taking four games off from putting the puck in the back of the net and two games without recording a point, Johnsson found the scoresheet with his third multi-point performance of the season. Johnsson may not be a household name like some other Maple Leafs, but he's still playing on the top power-play unit with them, and has been from day one of this season. He's a solid, low-key depth player in fantasy for that reason and is now up to 12 points (five on the power-play) across 19 games.

William Nylander scored twice - his sixth and seventh goals of the season - in the Maple Leafs 5-4 loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday. He also had four shots on goal and was a +2.

Fantasy Impact: That's three multi-point performances in the last four games for Nylander and this was also his first multi-goal game of the season. Maybe there was a little extra motivation with his younger brother Alex suiting up for the opponents. In any case, Auston Matthews and Willy are really starting to flash some impressive chemistry. We've mentioned in the past that he's a streaky guy, so hop on now. He's up to 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 19 games, but, as alluded to, six of those points have came in his last four.

Auston Matthews got involved in all of Toronto's offense on Sunday night, as he picked up four assists (two on the power-play) in the Leafs 5-4 loss to Chicago. He fired 10 shots on goal and chipped in two blocks and two penalty minutes.

Fantasy Impact: While the result may not have been what the Leafs were hoping for, fantasy owners certainly can't complain with the production Matthews provided against the Blackhawks. This was the first game this season that he fired double-digit shots on goal, but he was even more effective as a set-up man in this one, which was nice to see for a change. Matthews is absolutely dialled in with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his last four games. He's up to 13 goals and 25 points in 19 games overall.

Michael Hutchinson surrendered five goals and made 29 saves in Toronto's 5-4 loss in Chicago on Sunday night. Hutchinson remains winless for the season, and his record falls to 0-4-1.

Fantasy Impact: Hutchison and the Leafs fell into a 3-0 hole in the first period and had to claw their way back all night to get back into it. The Leafs outshot their opponents 57-34 in this game, so you could make the argument they might have deserved a better result, but you can't expect too much with the play that Hutchinson is providing them. He probably doesn't have much time left if some vast improvements aren't made on his .879 save percentage and 4.44 goals-against average. He's not a reliable spot start in fantasy.

Patrick Kane had three points in the Blackhawks 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs on Sunday. He was a plus one with two goals, one assist, one PPP and five SOG in 18:45 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Kane has disappointed his owners thus far but a hot streak can set him on his normal point per game pace. He should continue being an elite fantasy option even on a bad team.

Robin Lehner records his fourth win as a Blackhawk in their 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs. He saved 53-57 shots against.

Fantasy Impact: Robin Lehner improved his record to 4-3-2 with the victory today. He had to stand on his head for this one and did so. His fantasy owners have been reaping the benefits of a hot goaltender.

Andreas Athanasiou scored a goal in the Red Wings 3-2 victory over the Golden Knights on Sunday. He was a minus one with one goal, one PPG and three SOG in 14:23 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Athanasiou should be cut in all leagues he is owned. His 30 goal season last year seems as if it was luck. He is now a minus 21 with two goals and six assists.

Madison Bowey scored a goal in the Red Wings 3-2 win over the Golden Knights on Sunday. He was a plus one with one goal on one SOG in 18:44 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Bowey has no fantasy value. He currently has one goal and three assists thru 14 games this season. His lack of powerplay time reinforces his fantasy futility.

Anthony Mantha scored the game-winning-goal in the Red Wings 3-2 win over the Golden Knights on Sunday. He had one goal on two SOG in 17:26 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Mantha has performed above and beyond any expectation that have been set for him this season. Thru 19 games he now has 11 goals and seven assists. Look for Mantha to continue to play at an elite level.

Jonathan Bernier allowed two goals in the Red Wings 3-2 win over Golden Knights on Sunday. He saved 17-19 shots against while recording the win.

Fantasy Impact: Bernier has now won two in a row. He has improved his record to a respectable 4-4-1. His ratio numbers are still lacking but he can be a useful goalie and should be added where available. He is not a must start under any circumstances but should add depth to any roster.

Carlson helped Nicklas Backstrom twice (PPG, EN) in the third period as the Caps defeated the Golden Knights 5-2 on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Carlson continues to lead the NHL in assists (20).

Holtby allowed saved 30 of 23 shots on goal for the 5-2 win on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Now on a four-game winning streak, Holtby is showing his veteran star power as the Caps have won nine of their last ten.

Kuznetsov scored in the first period and helped Nicklas Backstrom on the power play in the third period of the 5-2 win on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: With 16 points in 15 games (+7), Kuzy is pretty much a "must have" in fantasy.