Thursday night left a few bumps and bruises and, more importantly, a handful of hot players worth chasing. Here's what's moving for your pool heading into the weekend.
Ryan Pulock hurt early in Minnesota
Tough break for the Islanders. Ryan Pulock played just 51 seconds over two shifts before leaving with an upper body injury. The team said he wouldn't return, which Andrew Gross (Newsday), Ethan Sears (New York Post) and Daily Faceoff also reported. After the game, coach Peter DeBoer had no update, per Gross.
Pool take: Pulock wasn't a big producer, but his absence opens even more minutes for Matthew Schaefer, who logged 30:01 on Thursday and even killed penalties. Schaefer has 14 points in 13 games, hold him in every format. The Isles host Edmonton on Saturday, so watch for news before then.
Kyle Capobianco out at least four weeks in Dallas
The Stars have put a timeline on Kyle Capobianco: at least four weeks with a lower body injury, per Field Level Media and the Stars broadcast. Sam Steel returned Thursday and young Trey Taylor made his NHL debut against Montreal.
Pool take: Capobianco wasn't rostered in most leagues. Steel's return on a line with Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen is worth a glance in deep leagues.
The Habs without Mike Matheson
Mike Matheson (lower body) sat out in Dallas and will be evaluated back in Montreal. Arber Xhekaj drew into the lineup, per Daily Faceoff. Alexandre Carrier played 23:47, Lane Hutson 21:55 and Noah Dobson 20:24, with two assists for Dobson.
Pool take: if Matheson misses more time, Dobson and Hutson stay the big winners. Montreal hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Goalies to know
- Pyotr Kochetkov is now 9-0-0 with a 1.66 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Start him, no second thoughts.
- Joel Hofer stopped 31 of 32 against Boston and owns a .923 save percentage. A dependable starter.
- Stuart Skinner got pulled after 40 minutes and five goals on 21 shots. Nico Daws stopped all nine shots he saw. Something to watch in Winnipeg.
- Jakub Dobes won in Dallas (17 saves on 19), but his 4.05 GAA keeps us cautious.
Our waiver wire and free agent targets
We don't know your league, but if these names are sitting out there, now's the time:
- Viktor Arvidsson (DET): hat trick plus an assist Thursday, 8 goals and 14 points in 13 games. With Larkin suspended, there are minutes up for grabs, and Detroit plays four times through Nov. 5.
- Alex Newhook (MTL): two goals in his first night on the line with Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. As long as he keeps that spot, he deserves a look in deep leagues.
- Pontus Holmberg (TBL): four points Thursday, 10 points in 12 games. He piled up his points alongside Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli.
- Cole Hutson (WSH): two goals Thursday, 7 points in 12 games. A nice blue line option in deep leagues.
- Mark Jankowski (CAR): already 7 goals. Not a ton of ice time, but he scores, handy if your league counts goals.
Hot hands
Logan Cooley (UTA) had a hat trick, including the tying goal with 0.6 seconds left, and has 15 points in 14 games. Alex Tuch (WSH) has 10 goals in 12 games. Mikhail Sergachev (UTA) has 16 points. All the details in our Oct. 29 night recap.
