Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey

  • Not practicing Saturday
    Wheeler (undisclosed) is not at Saturday's morning skate ahead of Game 6 against Florida, Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today reports.

    Advice: According to a source, Wheeler is banged up, leaving his status unclear for Saturday's must-win contest. He has suited up in only one game since Feb. 15 because of a leg injury. Wheeler logged just 9:18 of ice time in Game 4 versus the Panthers on Tuesday before sitting out Thursday's Game 5. Anton Blidh has been filling in for Wheeler during Saturday's practice, but the 29-year-old Blidh probably won't be in the lineup even if Wheeler is unavailable. Rotowire.com Today, 8:32 am
     
  • Extends goal streak in loss
    Lafreniere scored a goal in the final minute of Thursday's 3-2 loss versus Florida in Game 5.

    Advice: Lafreniere gave the Rangers life in the final minute of the third period to cut Florida's lead to one, but it wasn't enough to fuel a late comeback. Lafreniere moved into a three-way tie for the team lead in playoff goals with Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck. Lafreniere's eighth marker of the postseason Thursday also extended his goal streak to three games, and he has four tallies in that span. Lafreniere has come to develop a prowess for goal scoring during the postseason, but he hasn't registered an assist in seven consecutive contests. The 22-year-old is up to eight goals and 14 points with a plus-1 rating in 15 postseason appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:59 am
     
  • Recovering well from surgery
    O'Connor (hip surgery) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, according to Corey Masisak of The Denver Post.

    Advice: O'Connor underwent surgery in March and missed the rest of the season. O'Connor had 13 goals and 25 points in 57 appearances for the Avalanche, giving them secondary scoring from an unexpected source, as his previous career high was nine goals in 82 games during the 2022-23 campaign. Look for O'Connor to compete for a spot on the third line in 2024-25. Rotowire.com Thursday, 11:40 am
     
  • Returns to lineup Tuesday
    Wheeler was back in action for Game 4 against the Panthers on Tuesday, recording four hits, two blocks and two PIM in 9:18 of ice time.

    Advice: Wheeler was in the lineup for the first time since Feb. 15 versus Montreal, a stretch of 41 games on the shelf due to his leg injury. Even with the veteran cleared to play, he may still have to serve as a healthy scratch periodically as he eases his way back to 100 percent, perhaps including Game 5 against Florida on Thursday. Rotowire.com Thursday, 8:08 am
     
  • Gets first point of playoffs
    Perry posted an assist and three hits in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Perry fell out of favor for the Oilers late in the second round -- his appearance Wednesday ended a stretch of five straight healthy scratches for the veteran winger. He was also able to snap a 12-game point drought when he helped out on a Ryan McLeod tally in the first period. The 39-year-old Perry's best years are well behind him at this point, but he can still be an effective depth forward and pest. Given the Oilers' win in Game 4 to even the Western Conference Finals at two games apiece, it wouldn't be surprising to see Perry get a run in the lineup over the rest of the series. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:36 pm
     
  • On three-game point streak
    Brown logged a shorthanded assist in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Stars in Game 4.

    Advice: Brown set up Mattias Janmark's tally in the second period, which stood as the game-winner. Over the last three games, Brown has a goal and two assists, stepping up as a solid depth scorer for the Oilers. He's at four points, six shots on net, five hits, five blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 10 playoff appearances in a bottom-six role. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:32 pm
     
  • Supplies goal in loss
    Lafreniere netted a goal in a 3-2 overtime loss to Florida in Game 4 on Tuesday.

    Advice: Lafreniere's marker came early in the third period to tie the contest at 2-2. He's on a roll with three goals over his past two contests, bringing him up to seven tallies and 13 points through 14 playoff outings this year. His superb play in the postseason follows a strong 2023-24 campaign in which he set career highs with 28 goals and 57 points across 82 regular-season appearances. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 8:21 am
     
  • Chips in assist
    Brown recorded an assist in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Stars in Game 3.

    Advice: Brown has a goal and an assist over the last two games, his first time getting on the scoresheet in consecutive contests in all of 2023-24. The veteran winger is up to three points, six shots on net, five hits, four blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through nine playoff outings. Brown's recently solid play has helped him maintain a spot in the lineup over Corey Perry. Rotowire.com Monday, 9:21 pm
     
  • Slides helper in overtime loss
    Rodrigues notched an assist, four shots on goal and two hits in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 3.

    Advice: Rodrigues snapped a four-game point drought with his helper on a Gustav Forsling tally in the third period. For the most part, Rodrigues has filled a depth role this postseason, earning seven points, 26 shots on net, 42 hits and a minus-2 rating over 14 contests. The 30-year-old can fill in for top-six minutes when necessary, but with the Panthers at full health, he's likely to remain on the third line. Rotowire.com Sunday, 7:15 pm