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TUE. OCT. 10
Player to watch for goal: Connor Bedard, F, CHI (at PIT) -- Fresh off an impressive preseason (five points, 16 shots on goal in four games), Bedard is expected to make an immediate impact for the Chicago Blackhawks in his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, led the Canadian Hockey League in points (143 in 57 games), goals (71), shots on goal (360) and points per game (2.51) playing for Regina of the Western Hockey League last season and is the leading contender for the Calder Trophy this season. The Blackhawks, who scored the fewest goals per game (2.46) in the League and allowed the fifth most (3.65) last season, will rely heavily on Bedard, defenseman Seth Jones and wing Taylor Hall (acquired from Boston Bruins).
Player to watch for assist: Ivan Barbashev, F, VGK (vs. SEA) -- His line with center Jack Eichel and wing Jonathan Marchessault (reigning Conn Smythe winner) was the most valuable 5-on-5 trio in fantasy last postseason and a big reason the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. Barbashev, acquired by the Golden Knights in a trade with the St. Louis Blues before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, was tied for fourth in the NHL in even-strength points (16) during the playoffs and tied for ninth in assists (11). Barbashev could reach new regular-season heights after signing a five-year contract this offseason to stay with Vegas, and the Seattle Kraken had the third worst team save percentage (.886) in the NHL last season.
Player to watch for power-play point: Erik Karlsson, D, PIT (vs. CHI) -- The reigning Norris Trophy winner is expected to make his Pittsburgh debut after becoming the first defenseman to reach the 100-point mark since Brian Leetch in 1991-92. Karlsson led the NHL at the position in points (101 in 82 games), goals (25) and assists (76) last season and has a high fantasy ceiling again on Pittsburgh’s top man-advantage unit with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel and Kris Letang. The Karlsson trade should boost the Penguins, who missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season and had the 14th best power-play percentage (21.7) in the NHL, and the Blackhawks were tied for the fourth most shots on goal allowed per game (33.6) last season
Player to watch for saves: Jonas Johansson, G, TBL (vs. NSH) -- The Lightning goalie is expected to start in their season opener against the Nashville Predators in the absence of elite goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (back surgery; out 8-10 weeks). Johansson had the NHL's best save percentage (.979) in the preseason and two shutouts in three games. He has sneaky upside for the Lightning, who ranked eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.41) last season. Johansson had two wins and a .932 save percentage in three games for the Colorado Avalanche last season.
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WED. OCT 11
Player to watch for goal: Connor Brown, F, EDM (at VAN) -- He reunites with elite center Connor McDavid, the reigning NHL points leader (153; most in single NHL season since 1996-97), after they played on the same line with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League during their time as teammates there from 2012-14. Brown missed most of last season because of injury but showed flashes of fantasy potential with the Ottawa Senators in 2020-21 with 21 goals in 56 games (82-game pace: 31 goals). Brown had three points (two goals, one assist) and 11 shots on goal in four games this preseason, and the Vancouver Canucks allowed the eighth most goals per game (3.61) in the NHL last season.
Player to watch for assist: Matthew Poitras, F, BOS (vs. CHI) -- The Boston Bruins rookie is expected to make his NHL debut Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be on the second of back-to-back games after playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Poitras led the Bruins with five points (three goals, two assists) in five preseason games, is playing center on the third line with Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic and could stick in the NHL all season after centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired this offseason.
Player to watch for power-play point: Mike Matheson, D, MTL (at TOR) -- The Montreal Canadiens defenseman is a fantasy sleeper this season considering he is running the first power play with exposure to talented forwards in Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Matheson ranked 18th among NHL defensemen in points per game (0.71; 34 in 48 games) last season and had nine power-play points, indicating he could take another step forward with the man-advantage with a healthy Caufield and potentially Juraj Slafkovsky.
Player to watch for shots on goal: Matt Coronato, F, CGY (vs. WPG) -- The Calgary Flames rookie was one of the NHL's biggest preseason standouts with seven points (four goals, three assists) and 14 shots on goal in six games. Coronato is expected to make his season debut Wednesday and could fly under the radar against the Winnipeg Jets, who have renewed optimism after signing top center Mark Scheifele and starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck to new contracts earlier this week. Coronato is skating on the second line with center Nazem Kadri and wing Yegor Sharangovich and also the first power play with potential bounce-back forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm.
