When you see a team has scored seven goals in a game, you naturally assume that your player on that team might have had a big game. That's why it's a surprise that the point leaders in the Penguins' 7-3 win over New Jersey were… Connor Dewar, Philip Tomasino, and Conor Timmins? Dewar led the way with a pair of goals, Tomasino finished with a goal and an assist, while Timmins picked up two assists. The scoring was spread out after that, with all Penguins skates registering at least one point except for Bryan Rust, Matt Grzelcyk, Ryan Graves, and Bokondji Imama.

Jesper Bratt assisted on all three Devils goals, giving him three consecutive games of 3+ points. Bratt is on pace for a 95-point season, which would be his best ever.

Luke Hughes assisted on two of the goals, giving him 11 points over his last 10 games. Since Dougie Hamilton is out for the rest of the regular season, Hughes should be rostered in all leagues since he is now on the top power play. Hughes has also seen his icetime increase from 18:51 during the first quarter to 23:34 over that 10-game stretch.

–

Alex Ovechkin scored goal number 887, which means he is only eight goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record. Here's the goal:

#ALLCAPS Alex Ovechkin scores goal #887

He's on pace to set the NHL's career goals record on April 12 at Columbus pic.twitter.com/tumAsrMFA1

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 15, 2025

Ovechkin has 34 goals this season, which is all the more remarkable because he has reached that total in just 51 games. Oh, and he's now 39 years old. Write him off at your own peril. The only question is whether he will break the goal record this season or early next season.

–

On Saturday, Auston Matthews was moved onto a line with Max Domi and Matthew Knies in attempt to boost his scoring. Matthews scored his 24^th goal of the season, which would put him on pace for just 29 goals. The lowest single-season goal total of Matthews' career is 34 goals, which is from his sophomore season when he played 61 games. Matthews would play 67 games if he does not miss another game this season.

See where Matthews slots in on the Top 100 Roto Rankings, updated on Saturday.

Although Domi did not register a point on Saturday, a move to Matthews' line would be beneficial for him if he can stay there. Domi produced a goal and 11 assists and a plus-9 in 13 games on the Matthews line last season.

After leaving Thursday's game in the third period with a lower-body issue, Brady Tkachuk was able to suit up on Saturday. Tkachuk missing time during the fantasy playoffs would be a gut punch to fantasy teams that rely on his contributions in multiple categories.

The Senators are red hot right now with four wins this week and six-game winning streak. That means Linus Ullmark has been piling up wins with his own five-game winning streak. Ullmark has allowed three goals in three of those games, but the Senators have managed to outscore that. Overall, the Senators as a team have piled up 30 goals over their last seven games.

–

While on that subject, injuries are a heighted worry come fantasy playoff time. That's why it's nice to report promising developments such as Adam Fox returning to the Rangers' lineup on Saturday after missing over two weeks with an upper-body injury. Fox registered an assist with a plus-2 while resuming his regular spot on the Rangers' top power play. Zac Jones should be considered droppable with the Fox return, although he contributed three hits and four blocks instead if you were hoping for some power-play points.

Igor Shesterkin registered a 21-save shutout of the Blue Jackets on Saturday. That gives him five shutouts this season, just one behind Connor Hellebuyck for the league lead. More recently, Shesterkin has three consecutive quality starts, so he is coming through if you used an early-round pick on him. As for the Rangers, they move into the final wild card spot in the East.

Vincent Trocheck scored a pair of goals with a plus-3 for the Rangers. Trocheck has goals in back-to-back games after being held without a goal in his previous 11 games.

–

Although he was held without a point on Saturday, Nick Suzuki's 17 points in his last 10 games are tied with Leon Draisaitl for the most since the 4 Nations break.

With an assist on Saturday, Juraj Slafkovsky has six points over his last three games.

Also with an assist on Saturday, Lane Hutson has 11 points over his last 10 games.

Mackie Samoskevich continues to be a late-season difference-maker. Samoskevich scored a goal on Saturday, giving him four points in his last three games. As you may have heard by now, he has been on the Panthers' top power play with Matthew Tkachuk out. Since February 25 (shortly after the NHL season resumed after the 4 Nations), Samoskevich has accrued five goals and eight points in nine games. Only 22 years of age, Samoskevich was thought to be more of a long-term keeper option. But rostered in 14 percent of Yahoo leagues and 32 percent of Fantrax leagues, Samoskevich deserves an add in many formats.

–

In the Lightning's 6-2 win over Boston, Anthony Cirelli led the way with two goals in 22 minutes of icetime. Cirelli rode the high of the 4 Nations tournament with points in three consecutive games when the NHL season resumed, but he had been held without a point in his next seven games prior to Saturday. With the two goals on Saturday, Cirelli now has a career high of 47 points while serving effectively in a two-way role for the Bolts.  

–

Pyotr Kochetkov stopped all 26 shots he faced in the Hurricanes' 5-0 win over Philadelphia. Kochetkov has been splitting starts with Frederik Andersen since the latter returned from injury in mid-January, but prior to that Kochetkov was handling the bulk of the Canes' goalie workload. Being more well-rested seems to be helping Kochetkov, as he has wins and quality starts in each of his last four games. He has allowed just four goals over those four games.  

Mark Jankowski led the way for the Hurricanes with two goals on Saturday. Jankowski was acquired at the trade deadline a week ago from Nashville for a fifth-round pick. Since being acquired, Jankowski has four goals in four games while his main linemate has been Eric Robinson. He isn't likely worth adding unless he is moved up the lineup.

–

With the Kings' only goal (in overtime) on Saturday, Quinton Byfield has goals in six consecutive games. He was a very popular streamer in one of my leagues, but his recent hot play might mean that he isn't getting dropped anytime soon (48% Yahoo/68% Fantrax). Byfield is having a much stronger second half (20 PTS in 24 GP) than first half (20 PTS in 41 GP). His icetime and deployment haven't changed significantly, so it might just be the 22-year-old making improvements to his game.

Darcy Kuemper stopped all 24 Nashville shots in the 1-0 shutout win. Kuemper has four wins and four quality starts over his last four games. Among goalies with at least 35 games played, only Connor Hellebuyck has a better goals-against average and save percentage than Kuemper (2.14 GAA, .919 SV%). Kuemper was drafted on average after pick 100 in single-season Yahoo leagues, so was he a Zero G option entering the season? Depends on your definition of Zero G.

Justus Annunen was the hard-luck loser on Saturday, stopping 20 shots before the 21^st went past him. Annunen now has back-to-back quality starts for the Predators in a backup role.

–

Jordan Kyrou's hat trick powered the Blues to a 5-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday. Kyrou entered this game without a goal in his previous seven games. Kyrou tends to score in bunches, as only four players have more hat tricks than Kyrou since the 2022-23 season. Overall, Kyrou has five hat tricks in his career, although this was his first one of the season. Kyrou is also three goals shy of his third consecutive 30-goal season, as he continues to be an underrated option in fantasy leagues.

–

You probably won't be able to recoup the value that you budgeted for with Elias Pettersson this season, but your patience is paying off if you stuck with him. Pettersson had a goal and an assist on Saturday, giving him goals in four of his last five games and multiple points in back-to-back games. He appears to have finally put the turmoil from earlier this season behind him, focusing on the Canucks' pursuit of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. With the win, the Canucks now currently hold that spot.

Filip Chytil was hit in the head from behind by Jason Dickinson late in the third period. This is concerning considering Chytil's concussion history. The Canucks have a quick turnaround, facing Utah today (Sunday). Chytil should be considered questionable for that game.

It appears that the Blackhawks already have big plans for Artyom Levshunov. 2024 second overall pick Levshunov has now played three NHL games after being recalled from the AHL. Having recently traded Seth Jones, the Blackhawks immediately installed Levshunov on their top power play. The 19-year-old Levshunov impressed in this game, leading the Blackhawks in total icetime (22:39) while picking up his first NHL point (an assist). Chicago is a rebuilding team, so Levshunov will have some tough games (already a minus-5) and the results fantasy-wise may not be instant. He is projected to be an effective two-way defenseman who should be able to provide points as well. For more on Levshunov, see his Dobber Prospects profile.

Tyler Bertuzzi has no points in his last five games and no goals in his last 20 games. His icetime has been down to the 11–12-minute range over his last three games, even with PP1 usage. He might be a player to drop during this time when fantasy team benches get shorter.  

Connor Bedard has been held without a point in his past three games, but he has made up for his lack of scoring with… penalty minutes! Bedard has managed the feat of being assessed a 10-minute misconduct in back-to-back games. That means he has piled up 26 PIM over his last three games, leading the league in penalty minutes this week! Probably not what you were expecting.  

Connor Bedard receives a 10 minute misconduct penalty for the 2nd straight game and he's not happy 🤐 pic.twitter.com/XXuhfFjKHU

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 16, 2025

It's been a tough season for Bedard in Chicago. You won't see this in the video, but the HNIC broadcast showed Bedard turning around immediately and apologizing to the people standing beside him when he threw his helmet. Good Canadian kid.

–

Follow me on X @Ian_Gooding and Threads @goodsfantasyhockey and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social