SUN. DEC. 22
Player to watch for goal: Quinton Byfield, F, LAK (at WSH)
The Los Angeles Kings forward has scored goals in consecutive games and three of his past four. Byfield, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, had career highs in goals (20), assists (35), points (55) and shots on goal (161) last season and played 20:02 on Friday, the third time this season he's played at least 20 minutes. Two of Byfield's six goals this season have come from high-danger areas of the ice. Per NHL EDGE stats, Byfield ranks among the League leaders in top shot speed (93.00 mph; 93rd percentile), speed bursts of at least 20 miles per hour (127; 98th percentile) and average skating distance per 60 minutes (10.51 miles; 97th percentile). The Washington Capitals are arguably the most-improved team in the NHL this season but have lost two of their past three games. -- Fantasy Hockey Staff
Player to watch for point and/or power-play point: Aaron Ekblad, D, FLA (at TBL)
The Florida Panthers defenseman has five points (one goal, four assists) during his three-game point streak, five straight games with multiple shots on goal (15 in span) and leads their defensemen with 19 points (two goals, 17 assists), including six on the power play, in 34 games this season. Ekblad has had power-play assists in consecutive games, and the Panthers have scored 12 power-play goals over their past 10 games (37.5 percent in span). Ekblad is tied for 32nd among defensemen in shots on goal (64) and, per NHL EDGE stats, has a total skating distance (110.39 miles) well above the League average among defensemen (64.85). -- Fantasy Hockey Staff
Player to watch for goal and/or shots on goal: Jared McCann, F, SEA (at COL)
The Seattle Kraken forward has 90 shots on goal in 35 games, including 10 SOG over his past three games. McCann has had 200-plus SOG in each of his prior two seasons and is on pace to surpass the mark again. The Colorado Avalanche have allowed at least 30 SOG in three of their past four games. McCann has scored goals in each of his first two games against the Avalanche this season, and, per NHL EDGE stats, ranks in the 99th percentile among forwards in 80-90 mph shots (38). -- Fantasy Hockey Staff
