The NHL regular season resumes with the latest power rankings spotlighting key fantasy hockey surprises. The Winnipeg Jets maintain their top spot, led by Mark Scheifele, who is poised for a career-high in goals. The Washington Capitals' Logan Thompson surprises as a top goaltender despite limited playing time. Dallas Stars' Logan Stankoven has seen a disappointing drop-off since a hot start, while the Toronto Maple Leafs benefit from stellar goaltending. The Vegas Golden Knights face injury challenges with William Karlsson on IR, and the Florida Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe struggles to match last season's goal tally. The Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman also sees a significant dip in production compared to last year.

Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning has emerged as a consistent fantasy asset, while Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings surprises with his ranking among goalies. Minnesota Wild’s Marco Rossi continues to improve, while Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis maintains scoring consistency. On the flip side, the New Jersey Devils’ Stefan Noesen sees declining production, and Colorado Avalanche's Mackenzie Blackwood benefits from his trade. Detroit Red Wings’ Lucas Raymond is on track for a breakout season, while Calgary Flames' Yegor Sharangovich struggles to find his scoring touch. Columbus Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski stands out among defensemen, and Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson solidifies his role on the blue line. The Vancouver Canucks face frustration with Elias Pettersson's lack of scoring, while the New York Rangers' Chris Kreider surprises with limited assists.

The Washington Capitals, despite leading the Eastern Conference and holding the top spot with an impressive 80 points this season, will not have any representation in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Veteran stars like Alex Ovechkin and promising young goalie Logan Thompson were notably absent from the selection.

The Capitals' unique situation arises largely due to geopolitical issues; Ovechkin is ineligible as Russia is barred from participating in international events due to the conflict in Ukraine. The Capitals will instead use this time to recuperate and focus on their playoff aspirations without the distraction of a midseason tournament.

Coach Spencer Carbery expressed confidence in Ovechkin's performance this season, noting that despite his age and a previous injury, he remains a key player with 26 goals so far. The team will benefit from this break while many competitors will be competing in the tournament, providing Washington an edge as they prepare for the second half of the season.

In fantasy hockey, goaltending demands a balance of both quantity and quality for success. Logan Thompson exemplifies quality, ranking second in fantasy points despite being 24th in total minutes, while Andrei Vasilevskiy ranks third in points and minutes. Connor Hellebuyck leads in both categories, showcasing the ideal scenario.

For managers focused on quantity, several goaltenders are currently available. Mackenzie Blackwood leads with 28.4% availability, ranking first in minutes and sixth in fantasy points. Other notable options include Joey Daccord and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who also show strong minutes and fantasy rankings.

Quality-wise, Leevi Merilainen tops the charts in fantasy points per 60 minutes, making him a valuable asset for teams. Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper and Dustin Wolf are recommended for their blend of quantity and quality, making them solid picks for fantasy teams.

Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month, achieving a significant milestone by securing seven wins in January. With a record of 7-3-0, his performance includes a .922 save percentage and a 2.32 goals-against average. The 23-year-old has played a crucial role in keeping the Flames in playoff contention this season, as they entered their game against the Detroit Red Wings holding the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

In other league highlights, Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak stood out as the first star of the month, leading with 24 points, while Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson was recognized as the second star. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski rounded out the top three stars.

The NHL features 10 games this Thursday, January 30, with notable matchups including the New York Islanders facing the Philadelphia Flyers and the San Jose Sharks against the Seattle Kraken. Bettors are looking to capitalize on recent trends as they prepare for upcoming events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

The Los Angeles Kings will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a closely watched game where the Kings previously secured a 2-1 win. With both teams struggling, betting on the Under at 5.5 goals is advised. The Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators meet, with a focus on the Capitals, who have excelled offensively and defensively lately, also suggesting an Under bet.

The Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames go head-to-head, with the Ducks favored to cover the puck line after recent victories. Overall, the best plays include betting on the Under for both the Kings-Lightning and Capitals-Senators matches. These selections offer a strategic approach for bettors looking to enhance their bankroll.