Patrik Laine is the leading player in fantasy points per 60 minutes (FPP60) among NHL players with less than 200 minutes on the ice this season, averaging 10.4 points. This rank allows us to highlight effective players, even if they may not see increased ice time opportunities.

For instance, if an injury were to occur on the Winnipeg Jets' power-play unit, Nikolaj Ehlers, currently averaging 15:38 minutes, could see a rise in minutes, as he ranks in the top 10 for FPP60. Other notable players like Dylan Guenther and Kiefer Sherwood are also under observation for potential increased roles due to their current production rates.

The Columbus Blue Jackets overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a thrilling shootout on Tuesday night, with Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson scoring the decisive goals. This victory marked a significant comeback, showcasing the Blue Jackets' resilience as they scored three goals in the third period.

Elvis Merzlikins, who made 20 saves throughout the game, proved vital in the shootout, stopping shots from Bryan Rust and the legendary Sidney Crosby. Dmitri Voronkov continued to shine with two goals, contributing to his impressive tally of nine goals in the past seven games. Adam Fantilli netted a crucial power-play goal, highlighting Columbus's efficiency with the man advantage.

For the Penguins, Rickard Rakell scored twice, and Michael Bunting set a personal record with his eighth power-play goal. Crosby, despite not scoring, had two assists and became the NHL's all-time leader in faceoff wins since the statistic was recorded. The Penguins faced challenges as Evgeni Malkin was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury, ending his consecutive game streak since the 2021-22 season.

This victory for the Blue Jackets was particularly sweet as they snapped a 15-game winless streak in Pittsburgh, with their last victory there dating back to December 21, 2015. This game illustrated the Blue Jackets' recent form, having won three out of their last four matches, while the Penguins continued to struggle, losing their fourth consecutive game and six of their last eight.

With the NHL season in full swing, savvy fantasy owners are on the lookout for emerging talent to boost their rosters. This week's waiver wire reveals several key players with impressive stats and potential impact.

Leading the charge is Jason Zucker of the Buffalo Sabres, who has been on a scoring tear, notching a power-play goal against Vegas, bringing his total to seven goals and three assists in just seven games. Dmitri Voronkov of the Columbus Blue Jackets is also making waves, contributing significantly with seven goals in six games, making him a must-add.

Veteran Patrick Kane from the Detroit Red Wings is gradually finding his form, contributing to his team's win streak. Meanwhile, Warren Foegele of the Los Angeles Kings has shown strong chemistry with linemates, accumulating four goals and six assists recently. Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs is another player to watch, having recently hit a scoring high with his first NHL hat trick.

On the defensive front, Drew Doughty is nearing a return post-injury, making him a valuable addition. In goal, Darcy Kuemper of the Kings and rookie Yaroslav Askarov of the San Jose Sharks are standout options for fantasy managers.

Dmitri Voronkov's two-goal performance propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to a thrilling 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. The Blue Jackets showcased their offensive depth with contributions from Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Mathieu Oliver, and Mikael Pyyhtia, marking a strong 5-2-1 record in their last eight games. Ivan Provorov and Sean Monahan stood out with three assists each, while Zach Werenski added two assists and goaltender Elvis Merzilikins made 29 saves.

The game featured a wild third period, where the Blue Jackets built a three-goal lead twice, only for the Blues to rally back. Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou, and Cam Fowler each found the net for St. Louis, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Olivier's empty-net goal sealed the victory for Columbus.

In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets edged out the Carolina Hurricanes with a 4-3 victory in a shootout, thanks to Adam Fantilli's decisive goal in the fourth round. The win marked a significant boost for the Blue Jackets, improving their home record to 12-4-3 this season. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins played a crucial role, denying Sebastian Aho's attempt to secure the win after Fantilli's successful shot.

The game saw Kent Johnson and Andrei Svechnikov also score in the shootout, while Merzlikins showcased his skills by stopping shots from Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis. The Blue Jackets had a rocky start, struggling to penetrate the offensive zone, yet they managed to clinch the win when Dmitri Voronkov tied the game at 3 during the third period with a power play goal.

Kirill Marchenko shone for Columbus, netting two goals in the first period and setting a club record for the most points in December, tallying 19 points in 16 games. The Hurricanes, who entered the game leading the NHL in shots per game, were unable to recover after Voronkov's equalizer. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ty Smith, and Jack Roslovic scored for Carolina, while goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 25 saves.

As both teams prepare for their next matches, the Hurricanes will face the Florida Panthers, and the Blue Jackets will host the Detroit Red Wings, aiming to build on their recent successes.