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Nick Suzuki C | MON
Canadiens' Nick Suzuki: Stellar statline in OT loss
Suzuki tallied a goal, recorded three assists, posted a plus-four rating, fired four shots on net and dished out four hits in Saturday's 6-5 overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
Despite the Canadiens coming up short in OT, Suzuki was instrumental in getting his squad to the extra period in the first place. He stuffed the stat sheet with three primary helpers, which were on goals tucked away by three different players. In addition to the goal he scored himself, he defended well by maintaining a plus-four rating and dishing out four hits in the process. The reigning Selke Trophy winner is not only coming off a phenomenal defensive season, but one where he compiled 29 goals and 101 points across 82 regular-season games. As a player who has never missed a regular-season game and carries a high all-around ceiling, Suzuki is one of the true elite centers in fantasy.
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Casey Cizikas C | NYI
Islanders' Casey Cizikas: Puts up two points in win
Cizikas scored a shorthanded goal on four shots, dished an assist, added two hits and went plus-2 in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Devils.
Cizikas is back for another year as the Islanders' fourth-line center, and he should also see some time on the penalty kill. The 35-year-old can throw the body around a bit as well -- he's logged four hits over two games so far. Cizikas isn't the type of player to have widespread fantasy value, but he can help in deep formats that reward hits.
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Linus Karlsson C | VAN
Canucks' Linus Karlsson: Records two assists
Karlsson logged two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Flames.
Karlsson was on the top line Saturday, which likely helped him break out for a multi-point game. He's earned three assists, five shots on net, two PIM and a minus-1 rating over three contests this season. The Canucks forward combinations are far from settled, so don't be surprised to see Karlsson bounce around the lineup, which could lead to swings in his production on offense.
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Aatu Raty C | VAN
Canucks' Aatu Raty: Pots empty-netter
Raty scored an empty-net goal on three shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Flames.
Raty took a hit from Kevin Bahl in the second period that sent the Canuck to the locker room, but he was able to finish the game. Raty got the last laugh with the empty-netter to open his account for the season. The 23-year-old center was scratched for the first two contests of the campaign, but he got to draw in while Jake DeBrusk (illness) was unavailable. Raty may not be a full-time player early in the campaign, but a spot could open up when injuries arise or trades occur to free up space. Last year, Raty logged 14 points over 66 regular-season appearances, and he added 165 hits.
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Quinton Byfield C | LA
Kings' Quinton Byfield: Generates two points in overtime loss
Byfield scored a power-play goal on four shots and added an assist in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Sharks.
Byfield was held off the scoresheet in the Kings' season opener. He's operating as the top-line center this year following the retirement of Anze Kopitar, but the added responsibility could lead to some growing pains early on. Byfield has a minus-3 rating, seven shots on net and two blocked shots over two contests. He's still worth having in fantasy as a forward who can chip in around 50 points with a decent share of shots and hits, and he should also see significant power-play time.
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Ryan Donato C | CHI
Blackhawks' Ryan Donato: First goal of season
Donato scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Sabres.
He put the Hawks up 1-0 in the first period with a nice shot from the slot that beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Donato's ice time was limited to 9:25, and he had one shot and one hit. Two seasons ago, he delivered a whopping 62 points, including 31 goals, for Chicago, but that was lightning in a bottle. Donato can play up the lineup with the likes of Connor Bedard (shoulder), but he can't carry a line. Last season, he delivered 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) while averaging 14:44.
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Oliver Moore C | CHI
Blackhawks' Oliver Moore: Snaps home goal Saturday
Moore scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Buffalo.
Moore, who is centering the Hawks' third line, is looking to build on his 19-point (five goals, 14 assists) effort in 51 games in 2025-26. His role will change once Connor Bedard (shoulder) returns, so now is the time to make a strong impression. Moore's short-term fantasy value isn't high, but he's just 21 years old. His time will come.
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Macklin Celebrini C | SJ
Sharks' Macklin Celebrini: Deals two more helpers
Celebrini posted two assists, two shots on goal, two PIM and two blocked shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Kings.
Celebrini helped out on a Tyler Toffoli goal in the second period and also set up Igor Chernyshov's game-winning tally in overtime. Through two games, Celebrini has five helpers, nine shots on net and a plus-2 rating. He's still looking for his first goal of the season, but it won't take him long to find the twine, especially with the Sharks' offense already humming along efficiently.
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Anton Frondell C | CHI
Blackhawks' Anton Frondell: Two apples Saturday
Frondell picked up two assists Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Buffalo.
This season has been tough on the entire Hawks squad. They were outscored 11-2 in losses to Vegas and Utah in their first two contests this season, and they mustered just 15 shots at Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Saturday. Frondell played 16:06 and had one shot and one hit against the Sabres. The assists are his first points this season. The team compete level was far better Saturday than earlier in the week, and Frondell's job will get easier when Connor Bedard (shoulder) returns. Until then, temper expectations -- no individual player can lift an entire team.
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Steven Stamkos C | NSH
Predators' Steven Stamkos: Scores power-play goal Saturday
Stamkos scored a power-play goal on four shots in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Stars.
Stamkos tied the game for the Predators with a one-timer from the left circle at 4:46 of the first period, just under four minutes after Miro Heiskanen opened the scoring for Dallas. The tally was Stamkos' 625th career goal, moving him into a tie with Joe Sakic and Jarome Iginla for 17th on the NHL's all-time list. Stamkos has opened the 2026-27 season with points in back-to-back games after he delivered an assist in the 3-1 loss to Minnesota on Oct. 1.