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C/LW Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks
Hertl has been limited to just 22 games this season due to injury, but he has been able to put up five goals and 11 points in his limited action. He's averaging more than two shots on goal per game, and his 10.2 shooting percentage could trend up toward his career rate.
He has played almost exclusively on the Sharks' first line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. The threesome averages 63.32 shot attempts, 9.84 scoring chances and 3.05 expected goals for per 60 minutes of 5v5, per Corsica.Hockey. With 28 games remaining, he could double his season production.
G Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers
Neuvirth has started to take over from lackluster Flyers G Steve Mason, picking up the team's past three starts and allowing just four goals on 60 SOG. Typically a slow starter for his career, February and April have been his two best single months for save percentage and goals against average. His career rates are better after the all-star break.
He ranks 14th in average shot distance against among goalies with 50 5v5 minutes played, limiting the number of high-difficulty saves he needs to make. He won't have a full workload with Mason still present, but it should help keep him rested and at his best for most outings.
RW Radim Vrbata, Arizona Coyotes
Vrbata's season is going horribly undervalued. While he has had stretches of inconsistent production leading to owners doubting him, he has gone three games without a point just twice, with no slump longer than four games. His 11 goals through 51 games are just two less than he had last year, and his shooting percentage remains well below his career rate.
He has stuck on a line with C Martin Hanzal and LW/RW Tobias Rieder. Both Vrbata and Hanzal are UFAs at the end of the season and will surely be moved to contenders at the deadline, therefore increasing their fantasy value. Even if he remains in Arizona, he is providing consistent production and is widely available for free.
C/LW Nick Cousins, Philadelphia Flyers
Cousins' usage has been fairly limited all season, playing primarily with C Sean Couturier and RW Matt Read on the Flyers' third line. With C/LW Travis Konecny (knee) sidelined for 4-6 weeks, Cousins is expected to move to the second line beside Couturier and RW Wayne Simmonds, while continuing to see time on the second power-play unit. He's not a high volume shooter, but he'll benefit from a spot opposite Simmonds for a prolonged period.
LW Magnus Paajarvi, St. Louis Blues
Paajarvi rejoined the Blues Tuesday, scoring for the first time since his first game with the club Dec. 13. He played over 13 minutes and tallied three SOG. He played mostly on a second line with C/LW Jaden Schwartz and C Patrik Berglund. The Blues are currently outside of the playoffs and will desperately try to get in, but they should provide Paajarvi the opportunity to fill a hole as a top-six winger.
C/LW Alex Burmistrov, Arizona Coyotes
Burmistrov had a very strong second half of January since being acquired by the Coyotes, putting up six points in seven games, playing as much as 20:44 in a game. He has gone without a point in three consecutive games, but he continues to see more ice time than he had with the Winnipeg Jets. He's playing with the talented Max Domi and rugged goal-scorer Jamie McGinn.
Should Arizona move on from Vrbata and Hanzal, Burmistrov could move into a first-line role, where he'll be flanked by the team's top talent. This doesn't say a whole lot, but he would see a significant boost in ice time.
D Mark Streit, Philadelphia Flyers
As Flyers D Shayne Gostisbehere continues to fall out of favor in Philadelphia, Streit's outlook brightens. The 39-year-old has played at least 18 minutes in all but one of his past 10 games, allowing him to post four assists. The most significant boost has come via increased power-play time, as he has replaced Gostisbehere on the top unit.
He played over six minutes with the man advantage in his most recent game, with plenty of exposure to C Claude Giroux and RW Jakub Voracek.
(Photos courtesy Action Images)
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