If you wanted to watch an NHL game on Friday, the Devils/Sabres matchup was your only option. Saturday will have lots more to choose from with 15 games on the schedule.

If you needed scoring, Tage Thompson was easily the best option. Thompson finished with four goals, leading the Sabres to a 5-2 win over New Jersey. Thompson had a complete multicategory game as well, including a plus-3, six shots on goal, and five hits. Thompson qualifies as a bust for those who drafted him early (Yahoo ADP 12-14), but he is at least producing down the stretch. Over his last 10 games, Thompson has eight goals and 14 points, which more closely resembles the pace that he scored at much of last season. A point per game is attainable for Tage, but I wouldn't project any higher over a full season.

Thompson's linemate Alex Tuch assisted on two of Thompson's goals. Tuch now has seven consecutive games with at least one assist, with nine assists (and one goal) over that span.

The third man on that line is JJ Peterka, who scored another goal and now has goals in four consecutive games. Peterka has also taken five shots in three of those four games. In just his second full season, Peterka already has 26 goals, which means that 30 is not completely out of the question. He's also just three shots on goal shy of 200. Peterka is having a very under-the-radar effective fantasy season.

Despite the score, Jake Allen allowed only three goals on 34 shots. That gives him six quality starts in seven games since being traded to the Devils. Allen had 10 quality starts in 22 games for the Habs before the trade, so needless to say his value has improved with the move.

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The Coyotes didn't seem like the kind of powerhouse that would put an end to the Predators' amazing run of 18 games with at least one point. Yet that's why they play the games. There's lots to break down from an Arizona perspective, as the Coyotes have now piled up 14 goals over their past two games.  

In just his second NHL game, Josh Doan recorded his second consecutive multipoint game. He's also been a plus-2 in both games while taking a combined 11 shots. Not bad at all. Known more for the fact that he is Shane Doan's son, the younger Doan has had a solid AHL season on his own merit with 26 goals and 46 points in 62 games prior to his callup. Doan was also a second-round pick in the 2021 draft who also averaged around a point per game over two seasons for nearby Arizona State University.

Don't expect this run to continue, especially since Doan hasn't received any power-play time. In fact, there are other Coyotes players that I'd turn to before Doan if you are thinking of adding an Arizona player. Doan appears to have some solid keeper value, and he has already accelerated his expected arrival of 2025-26 listed in the last Prospects Guide. For more, see his Dobber Prospects profile.  

Do you know who does receive top power-play time on the Coyotes? Dylan Guenther. With an assist on Thursday, Guenther has six points in his last seven games. He's also available in less than 10 percent of Yahoo leagues.

I haven't forgotten about Logan Cooley, who registered his first career hat trick on Thursday. Over the past two weeks, Cooley has five goals and seven points over his last seven games. In his rookie season, Cooley is projected to reach at least 40 points and is currently among the top 5 in rookie scoring.

It seems as though the Coyotes have a few waiver-wire options right now, and I've got one more. Nick Bjugstad has 20 goals this season. The last time that happened was way back in 2014-15, when he played for Florida. Bjugstad also has goals in three consecutive games and points in five consecutive games. He also has at least three shots in each of his last three games.

With a goal on Thursday, Clayton Keller has eight goals in his last nine games. He also has 12 points in his last seven games, so he's been in the middle of the recent scoring that the Coyotes have been doing. You're unlikely to find him on your waiver wire, but worth mentioning anyway.

Back to Nashville. Despite the loss, Roman Josi added three more assists to his ever-increasing total. Josi is on an eight-game point streak with 14 points over that span. In my two Yahoo leagues, Josi is the top defenseman. Why? He's only two points behind Cale Makar, and he has more goals and takes more shots than both Makar and Quinn Hughes. The Norris Trophy race might now be between three horses.

Jason Zucker scored two goals against his former team on Thursday. Since joining the Preds from Arizona, Zucker has four goals and one assist in nine games. His value doesn't seem to have changed a whole lot with the move to Nashville.

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The Flyers were finally able to bring goalie Ivan Fedotov over from Russia. You may recall that Fedotov signed a one-year, entry-level deal in the summer of 2022, but he was forced into military service in Russia shortly after. Likely headed to the playoffs, the Flyers could use the goaltending help. Neither Cal Petersen nor Felix Sandstrom appears to be the answer as Samuel Ersson's backup, and I'm not even sold that Ersson can take the Flyers on a deep playoff run.

With just eight games remaining, the 6-8 Fedotov will probably receive only 2-3 regular-season starts at the most, as he may need some time to get acclimatized to North America. He might be worth keeping on your watch list anyway, as Philly has the fourth-easiest schedule by opponent record according to the Schedule Planner on Frozen Tools. Keep in mind that Fedotov will be a free agent this offseason, so his value going forward will depend on where he lands. He's also 27 years old, which is older than the typical prospect goalie.

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Suspension alert: Kaiden Guhle has been suspended one game for slashing Travis Konecny from the bench during Thursday’s game.

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Yes, we're already thinking about the real playoffs. So it's a good time to mention that Dobber's 2024 Interactive Playoff Draft List can now be purchased. You can make your own picks for series winners, or go with Dobber's picks if you're not sure. Purchase yours here. Keep in mind that the actual spreadsheet will be available for use in early April.

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Is Evander Kane droppable? Kane has not scored a goal and has just four assists over his last 18 games. In addition, Kane was scratched on Sunday as a "maintenance day/coach's decision." If you're in a points league, then I'd say yes. Although the Oilers tend to juggle their lines a bit, Kane isn't being used with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and there simply isn't room for him on the top power play. But if you're in a multicat or bangers league, you could continue to hang on. Over that same 18-game stretch, Kane is still averaging over 2.5 SOG/GP, 3 HIT/GP, and 1 PIM/GP. He's still filling those categories, and the scoring could improve a bit.

Same question, except with Filip Hronek, who has gone 10 games without a point. Using the peripherals test, Hronek is averaging nearly 2 HIT/GP and just over 1 BLK/GP over that same span. His shot total is also down slightly at 1.7 SOG/GP from his 1.9 SOG/GP average. Wait at least one game, as the Canucks play in Sunday's lone game against Anaheim – a game that will be massively streamed and could decide a ton of fantasy playoff matches.  

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Speaking of streaming, here's an early Sunday stream for you: Dakota Joshua made his return to the Canucks' lineup on Thursday after being out over a month with a hand injury. Before the injury, Joshua was on pace for nearly 40 points. Despite the injury, he should be able to reach the 200-hit mark for the second consecutive season. Add him if you are in a bangers league, as he is back on a highly effective third line with Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger. Garland also figures to get a lot of attention on Sunday, and rightfully so. He has five points over his last five games.

As for hot Anaheim players, well… there are none. It's just a bunch of players that need to break scoring slumps. Ryan Strome is without a point in 10 games, while Mason McTavish is without one in nine games. If you prefer not to add a player that is not in such a deep freeze, try Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Alex Killorn, or Cam Fowler, whose point droughts are only three games apiece. I wish there were a Ducks player that I could tell you to jump on right away, but the reality is that this is a team that has lost 10 of its past 11 games.  

With the Ducks' scoring woes in mind, don't be surprised if Arturs Silovs receives the start in net for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko isn't expected to be ready, while Casey DeSmith has started seven consecutive games and may be due for a break. Silovs has not played an NHL game this season, although he played in five games for the Canucks last season before an impressive World Championship performance for Latvia. If DeSmith leaves as a free agent this offseason, Silovs could be a full-time NHLer as early as next season.

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I’m off tomorrow night, with Brennan filling in for me. Happy Easter and enjoy the long weekend!

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