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
     
  • Plucks apple Friday
    Stankoven logged an assist and three shots on goal in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

    Advice: Stankoven has just two helpers over five contests in the Western Conference Finals after picking up four points in the second round. The 21-year-old forward is at eight points, 33 shots on net, 21 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating over 18 playoff outings. He'll likely continue to see middle-six minutes as the Stars look to keep their season alive in Game 6 on Sunday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:00 pm
     
  • Tips in lone goal in loss
    Johnston scored a goal on two shots in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 5.

    Advice: Johnston has scored in three straight games, but the Stars have just three tallies over their last two contests. The 21-year-old is up to 10 goals, six assists, 55 shots on net, 24 hits and a plus-4 rating through 18 playoff appearances. Johnston's steady offense has made him a reliable option in fantasy in this breakout campaign. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:56 pm
     
  • 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
     
  • Scores early in loss
    Johnston scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went minus-2 in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Oilers in Game 4.

    Advice: Johnston scored for the second game in a row, but instead of being part of a comeback, it was the opening goal in a loss. The center has two goals and two assists over his last three contests, giving him 15 points, 53 shots on net, 23 hits and a plus-3 rating through 17 playoff outings. Johnston has shuffled around the lineup at times this postseason, but he's often been at or near the top of the ice time list among Stars forwards. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 10:44 pm
     
  • 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