The NHL season has unveiled an array of fantasy surprises and disappointments. Among the notable fantasy revelations, Anaheim's Jackson LaCombe has emerged as a potential 50-point defenseman, boosting his value as a top power-play anchor. Conversely, Boston's Jeremy Swayman has struggled mightily, suggesting he should be avoided in most leagues. Buffalo's JJ Peterka has proved to be a rising star, averaging 0.85 points per game, complementing the top line impressively.

Carolina's Shayne Gostisbehere has established himself as a power-play specialist, while Columbus’ Sean Monahan reclaims his role as a top-line center. Calgary's rookie goalie Dustin Wolf is solidifying his status as a Calder candidate. The Blackhawks see Connor Bedard as their only consistent forward amidst underwhelming performances from others. Colorado's Valeri Nichushkin has shown he can be a fantasy stalwart when healthy, while Dallas' Thomas Harley faces potential regression without Miro Heiskanen.

Detroit's Patrick Kane is bouncing back, making him a mid-round pick next draft season, while Edmonton's Stuart Skinner appears to be off fantasy radars after a disappointing season. Florida's Mackie Samoskevich could be a sleeper if he earns a top-six role next year. LA’s Darcy Kuemper and Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson are both proving their worth as top netminders. Meanwhile, Montreal’s Nick Suzuki showcases durability and offensive capability, while Nashville’s Steven Stamkos hints at a possible bounce-back next season.

Seth Jarvis, a key forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, suffered a concerning head injury during a game against the Los Angeles Kings, resulting in a disappointing 7-2 defeat. The incident occurred when Jarvis was fouled by Kings' Warren Foegele, causing him to crash into the boards. Despite being helped off the ice, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour expressed cautious optimism about Jarvis's condition, suggesting he may have avoided serious injury.

Currently leading the Hurricanes in goals with 27 and contributing significantly with 52 points, Jarvis's absence would be a considerable blow for the team. The Hurricanes were already missing captain Jordan Staal and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere due to injuries and illnesses, which could challenge their upcoming match against Anaheim. With this loss, Carolina's impressive eight-game winning streak has come to an end.

This week’s waiver wire report highlights several players to target for fantasy leagues. Jackson Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes, currently available in 99.5% of leagues, has seen a surge in value following the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen, allowing him to join a potent line with Sebastian Aho. Jonathan Drouin, now on a line with Nathan MacKinnon after a trade, provides job security and power-play opportunities. Morgan Geekie is making waves with the Bruins, scoring six goals in seven games after moving to the top line. Meanwhile, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is also on the rise following a goal streak.

On defense, Tony DeAngelo and Alexander Romanov from the New York Islanders are worth considering due to their increasing roles in the wake of injuries. In goal, Jake Allen steps up as the starter for the New Jersey Devils after Jacob Markstrom's injury. Cam Talbot continues to show potential with the Detroit Red Wings. Short-term streaming options include Chandler Stephenson and Brock Nelson, who have favorable matchups coming up.

NHL DFS analysis for January 23, 2025, is here as the season heats up with a packed eleven-game slate. Key matchups include the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers, with the Hurricanes leading the implied team totals at 4.3. Goalie Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks is highlighted against the Edmonton Oilers, who are coping without star center Connor McDavid due to suspension. Demko has shown potential value despite a record of 1-3 in his last five games.

In the center position, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is positioned for a standout performance against the Anaheim Ducks, who struggle defensively. Meanwhile, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is expected to capitalize on his matchup with the San Jose Sharks, where he has the potential for significant point production.

On the wings, Andrei Svechnikov of the Hurricanes aims to break out against the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Marco Kasper from the Detroit Red Wings serves as a budget-friendly option with a favorable matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. The defensemen's slot features Shayne Gostisbehere of the Hurricanes, providing added value with his top power-play role.

Top stacks to consider include Carolina’s Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Blake, as well as Nashville’s Forsberg and Stamkos. Monitor injury news as several players, including Adam Fantilli and Jacob Markstrom, are making headlines. Best of luck in your lineups!

The injury report from various NHL teams reveals significant player updates as the season progresses. Boston Bruins forward Mark Kastelic is day-to-day, while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has made a comeback after an eight-game absence due to an upper-body injury.

In Florida, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Jonah Gadjovich will not accompany the team on their upcoming road trip for back-to-back games, pending a reevaluation post-trip. Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine returned after missing four games due to illness, alongside defenseman David Savard, who also missed four games due to an upper-body issue.

Pittsburgh Penguins saw the return of forward Philip Tomasino after four games out with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, a car accident involving forward Michael Bunting caused him to miss a game, although he was not hurt. Evgeni Malkin, however, was placed on the IR, missing his fourth game.

In Vegas, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel’s absence was attributed to illness, but coach Bruce Cassidy anticipates his quick recovery. Finally, Nicolas Roy returned for the Golden Knights after an 11-game hiatus from an upper-body injury, while the Washington Capitals placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren on the IR.