Fantasy Hockey News

Steven Stamkos had three points in the Lightnings 5-1 season opening victory over the Blackhawks. He was a plus one with one goal, two assists, one PPG, two PPP and five SOG in 15:53 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Stamkos is an obvious must start fantasy player going forward. He is still one of the best offensive players in the league as long as he can stay on the ice. Look for him to eclipse aa PPG pace this season.

Leon Draisaitl had an assist in the Oilers 5-3 loss to the Canucks on opening night. He was a plus one with an assist and a SOG in 20:59 of ice-time.

Fantasy Impact: Edmonton struggled on the power play failing to score in any of their four attempts. This will not be the norm. Look for Draisaitl to end the season with 60 or more points in this shortened 56-game season.

Dylan Strome scored the Blackhawks' lone goal as they fell 5-1 to the Lightning in the season opener. Strome scored late in the third on a redirected puck that surprisingly slipped past Andrei Vasilevskiy to cancel his shutout.

Fantasy Impact: Strome had a quiet night until late in the game when he found the back of the net on a redirected puck from behind the net. Strome should continue to contribute on an offense that may struggle at times.

Malcon Subban struggled in the season opener, allowing 5 goals on 33 shots.

Fantasy Impact: It was a challenging matchup on the road against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Even so, Subban is not worth starting from a fantasy perspective.

Kapanen is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh on Jan 9th and has missed the first four days of practice with his new team due to an immigration issue. It is unlikely he will be ready for the season opener because he will have to quarantine for seven days due to NHL rules. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: He is expected to get some playing time on the top line with Sidney Crosby which would make him a quality fantasy option in the later rounds of the draft. Last season in Toronto he scored 13 goals and had 23 assists in 69 games.

Crawford took a leave of absence from the New Jersey Devils citing personal reasons. He signed a two-year deal in October after spending 13-seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks helping them win two Stanley Cup championships (2013-2015). (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: The Devils are in a stacked East Division this season in the one season realignment. New Jersey will go with Mackenzie Blackwood and newly signed Scott Wedgewood as the goaltending tandem for the foreseeable future. Crawford was a risky fantasy pick in 2021 anyway since he's missed several games the last two seasons with concussion issues. Last season with Chicago he went 16-20-3 with a 2.77 GAA and .913 save percentage in 40 games played.

Zibanejad, who has missed the first three days of training camp, is expected to be ready for the beginning of the season according to Rangers coach David Quinn. "I think that he's day to day and from all indications, he should be ready for opening night," Quinn said. "We're expecting him back soon. I'd be a lot more worried if we were three or four days away."

Fantasy Impact: He exploded last season posting a career-high 41 goals and 75 points in only 57 games. Zibanejad should have another monster fantasy season while playing on a potent Rangers team.

Jack Eichel skated at practice for the first time with the Sabres after missing time with an upper-body injury. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: While the Sabres will have a difficult time making the playoffs in a loaded east division, Eichel should produce plenty of points this season especially with the addition of Taylor Hall. Last season in 68 games he produced 36 goals and 42 assists and should be a fantasy stud once again this season.

Tim Stutzle who was the number three overall pick by Ottawa will start the season playing left wing according to Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: Even as he continues his outstanding play at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, (five goals, five assists) in his first four games, expectations for the talented prospect need to be tempered. The Senators recently traded for centers Derek Stepan and Cedric Paquette in order to mentor Stutzle and ease his transition into the NHL.

Dubois, who was a restricted free agent, signed a two-year $10 million contract with Columbus. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: The 22-year old center will look to have another impactful season after leading the Blue Jackets last season in assists (31) and points (49) in 70 regular-season games.

After 14-seasons with the Boston Bruins, Chara signed a one-year $795,000 contract with the Washington Capitals. The 43-year old defenseman spurned the Bruins who offered a reduced role to stay with the club. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: At this stage of his career, Chara is likely to see time on the second or third defense pairing. Last season in 68 games he posted five goals and nine assists.

Anton Khudobin made 28 saves on 31 shots faced as the Stars went on to defeat the Avalanche 5-3 Saturday night.

Fantasy Impact: In the eight games Khudobin has started this postseason, he has a 5-3-0 record with a 2.55 GAA and 0.917 SV%. He appears to be the team's primary goaltending option right now as fellow teammate Ben Bishop has sat out for four straight games.

Jason Dickinson provided the primary helper on Roope Hintz's third period goal as the Stars would take Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Avalanche.

Fantasy Impact: This was Dickinson's first point produced in the 10 games that he has participated in the playoffs this year.

Miro Heiskanen provided the secondary assist on Blake Comeau's first period goal as the Stars would go on to win 5-3 Saturday.

Fantasy Impact: Heiskanen has three goals, 13 points, and a plus-five rating in 10 contests this postseason.

Jamie Oleksiak provided the primary helper on Blake Comeau's first period goal in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Avalanche.

Fantasy Impact: Oleksiak has produced two goals, four points, and a plus-nine rating in 10 playoff games this season.

Radek Faksa provided the secondary assist on Alexander Radulov's first period goal Saturday evening.

Fantasy Impact: Faksa has a goal and a pair of assists in 10 playoff games played this year.

John Klingberg provided the secondary assist on Roope Hintz's third period goal Saturday as the Stars would win 5-3.

Fantasy Impact: Klingberg has a goal, seven assists, and a plus-three rating in nine games played this postseason.

Jamie Benn contributed with assists on Tyler Seguin's goal as well as both of Alexander Radulov's scores during Saturday's 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Fantasy Impact: Benn had initially started the playoffs pretty cold, but he has been heating it up as of late. In his last five contests, he has managed to produce a goal and four helpers. The captain will attempt to continue his recent hot production in Game 2 Monday evening.

Roope Hintz potted his first goal of the playoffs 8:47 into the third period to seal an eventual 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Fantasy Impact: Hintz has been virtually nonexistent in Dallas' first 10 playoff games this year. It's a bit surprising considering how much of a factor he was during the regular season as he had 19 goals and 14 helpers in 60 games played. Hopefully Saturday's performance has sparked something in the speedy young forward. The Stars are going to need it if they are to keep up with Colorado's high-powered offense.

Alexander Radulov potted a goal 16:28 into the first period to extend Dallas' lead to 3-1. He followed it up with another goal 9:09 into the second and also had an assist on Tyler Seguin's first period goal.

Fantasy Impact: Prior to Saturday night's eruption, Radulov had been fairly quiet this postseason as he only had two goals and an assist in nine contests. Dallas will need similar production like last night's from Radulov if they are to make a legitimate run at a championship this postseason.