Ramblings: DeBrusk Hat Trick; Talbot Injured; Columbus Keeps Scoring (Dec 2)
Brennan Des
2024-12-02
Jake DeBrusk had a sensational Sunday, scoring the overtime winner against Detroit to complete the second hat trick of his career. The 28-year-old winger started heating up after J.T. Miller took a leave of absence on November 19th, racking up nine points in six games since then. Notably, four of those points came with the man advantage as DeBrusk has been skating on PP1 in Miller's absence. Knowing that Miller could return at any point, potentially changing DeBrusk's deployment, I'm wary of rostering DeBrusk long term. Adding more rain to the parade, DeBrusk is currently riding lofty individual and 5on5 shooting percentages that will be hard to maintain over a larger sample. I'm happy to sell high if the opportunity arises.
Another player who's enjoyed an expanded role in Miller's absence is Pius Suter. He went from averaging 14:33 per game while Miller was in the lineup, to 18:09 in these six games without JT. Suter's goal on Sunday gives him six points in his last six outings.
Quinn Hughes also had an outstanding outing, racking up three assists, four shots and two hits through 31 minutes of ice time. He's upped his shot rate relative to previous seasons and is averaging 3.3 per game this year. The Canucks Captain is scoring more too, currently boasting a hundred-point pace…
With three points on Sunday, Elias Pettersson is up to 16 points in his last 11 games (1.45 points/game). That's a far cry from the five points in 12 games (0.42p/g) he started the season with. Congratulations to the high-IQ individuals that bought low early on.
Kevin Lankinen improved to 12-3-2 on the season and set an impressive NHL record in the process.
Cam Talbot left with a lower-body injury in the second period and was replaced by Ville Husso, who stopped 15 of the 18 shots he faced in Sunday's loss. A lower-body injury will also prevent Alex Lyon from embarking on Detroit's upcoming two-game road trip, which means Husso could see more action this week if Talbot's not 100%. Given Husso's disappointing tenure in Detroit these past years, I wouldn't jump to add him in fantasy leagues.
Lucas Raymond's five-game goal streak was snapped on Sunday, but he extended his point streak to seven games after posting two assists against the Canucks. He's followed up last year's breakout campaign with 25 points in 24 games this season. He's just 22 years old but he's already a superstar in my eyes.
Vladimir Tarasenko's goal on Sunday gives him eight points in his last 10 games. That's a decent step up from the three points in 13 games he started the year with.
Patrick Kane missed his fourth-straight game on Sunday, but seems on track to return for Tuesday's battle with the Bruins.
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With a goal and assist on Sunday, Connor Bedard found the scoresheet for a third-consecutive game. Aside from this streak, the only other time he registered points in back-to-back games was October 25th/26th, which gives you an idea of what kind of season it's been for Bedard so far. Still, we're talking about an immensely talented teenager who will produce more as the season progresses. Maybe this little streak is the launchpad for takeoff.
Zach Werenski is on some kind of run. Two assists on Sunday brings him up to 16 points in his last eight games. He currently ranks third in scoring among defensemen, behind only Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar.
With a goal on Sunday, Dante Fabbro now has six points in nine games since the Blue Jackets claimed him off waivers. After being underutilized to the tune of 16-17 minutes a night in Nashville these past few years, Fabbro is averaging over 22 minutes per game so far in Columbus. He's a plus-14 on his new team, posting an impressive rate of two blocks and a hit per game. It's unlikely he provides this level of offense all year, but he could provide some unexpected fantasy value thanks to improved deployment on a new team.
Damon Severson continues the trend of offense from blueliners, racking up three assists on Sunday for his first multi-point outing of the season.
Dmitri Voronkov's overall ice time against Chicago was limited as he racked up 17 penalty minutes, but he still found time to tickle the twine. With his goal on Sunday, Voronkov is up to 10 points in his last eight games. He's been excellent beside Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko, who also found the scoresheet on Sunday. Currently Columbus' top line, the Voronkov-Monahan-Marchenko trio has thoroughly outchanced opponents, outscoring the opposition 13-4 at even strength (via Natural Stat Trick).
Another game, another point for Kent Johnson. The 22-year-old forward has found the scoresheet in all nine games he's featured in this season. Four of those games were played before a month-long absence due to a shoulder injury, and five were played after. It's incredible that he didn't miss a beat despite being sidelined for so long.
21-year-old Cole Sillinger registered two assists against the Blackhawks, giving him seven points in his last seven games. This Blue Jackets' team is oozing with young talent – most of which is flying under the radar in fantasy leagues.
Elvis Merzlikins is 6-0-1 in his last seven starts but that's largely due to the team in front of him. Columbus is scoring a league-leading 4.63 goals per game during this seven-game stretch. Throw out those outdated perceptions of the Blue Jackets being a low-scoring team.
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Heading into Sunday's game against Montreal, Boston was averaging a league-low 2.32 goals per game. A matchup against one of the league's worst defensive teams proved to be the perfect remedy for the Bruins' scoring woes as they racked up six against the Habs. I guess there's no better way to celebrate your team's hundred-year anniversary than trouncing your greatest rival.
David Pastrnak scored his ninth of the year, busting a seven-game goal drought. He's experienced two seven-game goal droughts over the past month, which is incredibly out of character for one of the game's best goal scorers.
It's been a disappointing season for Charlie McAvoy thus far, but he's showing signs of life with six points in his last 10 games – including two pretty goals against Montreal on Sunday.
23-year-old Emil Heineman continues to show off his lethal shot, scoring his sixth goal of the season on Sunday. His fantasy value is limited because he averages less than 11 minutes a night, but he could be an intriguing option if he ever starts seeing more opportunity.
Cole Caufield scored his 15th and 16th of the season. He and Brayden Point now share third place in the NHL's goal-scoring race. It seems Caufield is being more selective with his shots this year as he's averaging just 2.6 per game after posting 3.8 last year. Reduced opportunity likely plays a role in that as well since Caufield went from averaging 19:25 per game last season to 17:48 this year.
Caufield's partner-in-crime Nick Suzuki assisted on both goals. Montreal's captain is up to 24 points through 24 appearances this season.
Despite Sunday's offensive explosion, the Bruins once again failed to convert on the power play. They sport a league-worst 11.7% success rate with the man advantage, which explains why so many of the team's top skaters aren't producing as much this year. Don't fret, that percentage will improve as the season progresses, helping the production of guys like Pastrnak and McAvoy going forward.
Sunday also brought an update about Hampus Lindholm, who's been out with a lower-body injury since November 12th.
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Sunday's battle between two top-tier American netminders produced the low-scoring affair you'd expect. Jake Oettinger stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced and narrowly outduelled Connor Hellebuyck, who turned aside 28 of the 30 attempts he saw.
After an incredible 12-1 start to the season, the Jets are now 6-6 in their last 12. They've struggled to score during this recent stretch, sitting 23rd in the league with 2.67 goals per game. For reference, during that earlier hot streak they led the league with 4.77 goals a night.
Two assists for Thomas Harley gives him 12 points in 23 games this season. His 43-point pace becomes even more impressive when you consider all his points so far have come at even strength.
Mason Marchment scored the game winner on Sunday and it was a beauty. He's been red hot since November 11th, boasting 16 points through 10 games. Connor McDavid is the only player in the league with more points (18 in 9) during that span. The Stars have a favourable fantasy schedule this week with four light night games, so Marchment could be a great add if he's still sitting on your league's waiver wire.
A goal against Winnipeg gives Wyatt Johnston seven points in his last six games. He opened the year with a five-game point streak but then went on to tally just two points in his next 12 games – the stretch right before this current hot streak. Let's hope that pattern doesn't repeat itself and he's able to play to his elite potential for the rest of the season.
Nikolaj Ehlers missed Sunday's game with a lower-body injury and is officially day-to-day.
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With two goals on Sunday, Frank Vatrano is on pace to score 22 this season. Not bad, but still a far cry from the 37 goals he racked up last year. His 5on5 shooting percentage suggests he's suffered from a bit of bad luck thus far, but with four goals in his last four games, maybe the tides are starting to turn.
Three assists for Troy Terry along with an uncharacteristically monstrous nine shots on net against Ottawa. He comfortably leads the Ducks in scoring with 19 points in 23 games – second place Vatrano only has 12. I understand Terry leaves a lot to be desired in leagues that track hits and blocks, but surely his offensive impact warrants being rostered in more than 16% of Yahoo Leagues at this stage.
Brady Tkachuk scored two goals against Anaheim on Sunday, bringing his total up to 13 and putting him on pace for a would-be career-high 44 on the season. He managed an outlandish 12 shots on net Sunday, which is remarkably the second time he's achieved that feat in the past month. Chipping in a solid number of hits, penalty minutes and faceoff wins most nights, Brady is a multicategory beast.
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Thanks for reading! Hope you have an awesome week ahead :)
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UPCOMING GAMES
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| 19.3 | JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK KEVIN LABANC SEAN KURALY | |
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