Broberg’s offensive role expands, Carolina finds another productive line, and New Jersey’s young forwards gain momentum.
Tuesday’s 11-game slate produced several developments worth following beyond the scoring leaders. Philip Broberg delivered his strongest offensive performance of the season, Carolina’s reshuffled second line generated substantial production, and New Jersey’s younger forwards benefited from improved deployment. Toronto also received contributions from less established players, while injuries continue to create opportunities on Long Island.
St. Louis: Broberg’s offensive involvement reaches another level
Philip Broberg scored the winning power-play goal and added an assist against Winnipeg, generating six shots in 23:41.
His goal came from the high slot on a pass from Robert Thomas, with Jake Neighbours also involved. Broberg’s shooting volume was particularly encouraging for a defenseman whose fantasy value has historically depended more on workload than individual scoring.
St. Louis generated 28 shots, with Broberg responsible for six of them. His involvement on the decisive power play adds another useful observation.
Jimmy Snuggerud scored the Blues’ opening goal, his fifth of the season. He continues to receive opportunities alongside Thomas and Dylan Holloway.
Broberg’s combination of substantial minutes, power-play involvement and individual shooting activity warrants a fresh evaluation. Sustaining that offensive responsibility would materially improve his fantasy outlook.
Carolina: Stankoven, Ehlers and Blake establish a productive combination
Logan Stankoven, Nikolaj Ehlers and Jackson Blake combined for a strong performance in Carolina’s 6–3 victory over Vancouver.
Stankoven and Ehlers each scored twice, while Blake recorded three assists. Their even-strength combination generated several dangerous opportunities, contributing to Carolina’s 44-shot performance.
Stankoven opened the scoring from the high slot after receiving Blake’s pass. Ehlers later finished a cross-ice feed from Blake at the back door.
Stankoven’s second goal came into an empty net, making his first goal and continued offensive involvement more useful indicators of his underlying performance.
Carolina remains without Jordan Staal, Taylor Hall and Mark Jankowski. Seth Jarvis is approaching a potential return, which could change the current forward combinations.
The Stankoven–Ehlers–Blake line has an attractive offensive profile while it remains intact. Blake’s playmaking involvement is particularly encouraging, although the approaching lineup changes introduce uncertainty about the group’s stability.
Nicolas Deslauriers also scored twice. His production came from a considerably less attractive offensive assignment and does not warrant a comparable fantasy adjustment.
New Jersey: Evangelista returns, Gritsyuk continues to earn opportunities
Luke Evangelista returned after missing three games through illness and immediately contributed a goal and an assist in New Jersey’s 4–3 victory over Colorado.
He was deployed alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, giving him access to established offensive players.
Arseny Gritsyuk scored for the third consecutive game, finishing an individual rush after splitting Colorado’s defense. He was assigned to a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.
New Jersey generated 41 shots, an encouraging offensive performance against a strong opponent.
Gritsyuk’s recent production is supported by an increasingly attractive offensive environment. His assignment alongside Hughes and Bratt provides a considerably stronger opportunity than a depth role.
Evangelista’s return creates another option within New Jersey’s top six. His immediate involvement is encouraging, although several games of consistent deployment are needed before treating the assignment as stable.
Connor Brown also made his season debut, recording an assist in 13:54. His return adds another forward to New Jersey’s lineup without immediately threatening the premium assignments held by Evangelista and Gritsyuk.
Islanders: Eklund benefits from injuries, Schaefer remains central to the power play
Victor Eklund scored his second NHL goal in the Islanders’ 3–2 victory over Anaheim, converting a rebound during the first period.
Eklund was deployed alongside Brayden Schenn and Emil Heineman, an opportunity created partly by New York’s depleted forward group.
Matias Maccelli is expected to miss two to four weeks, while Cal Ritchie faces a four-to-six-week absence. Mathew Barzal also remains unavailable.
Those injuries provide a clearer short-term opportunity for Eklund to establish himself in the lineup. His scoring remains limited, but the available minutes could support further development.
Simon Holmstrom scored on the power play, redirecting Matthew Schaefer’s point shot. Holmstrom has now scored in consecutive games.
Schaefer recorded his eighth assist in nine games, maintaining substantial involvement in New York’s offense.
Holmstrom’s power-play usage and Eklund’s increased opportunity are worth monitoring separately. Holmstrom currently has the clearer special-teams route to production, while Eklund offers a longer-term opportunity tied to the Islanders’ injury situation.
Toronto: Cowan contributes three points, Marchenko strengthens his power-play case
Easton Cowan recorded a goal and two assists in Toronto’s 6–2 victory over Columbus, including a shorthanded goal during the second period.
Cowan contributed to three goals in the same period, demonstrating offensive involvement across different situations.
Kirill Marchenko scored on the power play against his former team, giving him three power-play goals this season. He has established himself as an important part of Toronto’s offensive structure following his September trade from Columbus.
Morgan Rielly added three assists, while Jack Roslovic recorded a goal and two assists.
Toronto scored six times on just 22 shots, a level of finishing efficiency that should not be projected forward.
Cowan’s three-point performance is encouraging, but the shorthanded goal does not establish an expanded offensive role. His even-strength deployment and individual shot generation remain important.
Marchenko has the more established fantasy opportunity. His continued involvement alongside Toronto’s leading offensive players and regular power-play production support a stronger short-term outlook.
Tampa Bay: D’Astous remains involved in the power-play experiment
Charle-Edouard D’Astous assisted on Brandon Hagel’s power-play goal in Tampa Bay’s 6–2 victory over Vegas.
The assist provides another indication that Tampa Bay is prepared to use D’Astous in offensive situations.
John Carlson also scored, while Victor Hedman added a goal. Tampa Bay continues to have several established defensemen capable of contributing offensively.
D’Astous remains the more interesting development because his involvement represents a potential expansion of opportunity rather than an established assignment.
His fantasy outlook depends on whether Jon Cooper continues using him with the leading power-play group.
Nikita Kucherov recorded a goal and two assists, tying Steven Stamkos for Tampa Bay’s franchise scoring record. Anthony Cirelli scored twice.
The established forwards remain the primary offensive drivers, but D’Astous could gain additional value if his special-teams involvement becomes consistent.
San Jose: Misa scores as Wennberg’s absence creates another opening
Michael Misa scored in San Jose’s 4–3 overtime victory against Montreal, converting a pass from Kiefer Sherwood during the third period.
Alexander Wennberg missed the game with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
His absence creates an opportunity for San Jose to redistribute center responsibilities and offensive minutes.
Misa’s goal came at even strength, providing a positive contribution independent of the power play. However, one scoring play does not establish a larger offensive assignment.
Macklin Celebrini scored twice, including the overtime winner, while Tyler Toffoli converted on the power play.
San Jose’s leading offensive opportunities remain concentrated around Celebrini and the first power-play unit.
For Misa, the relevant development is the potential opening created by Wennberg’s injury. His next assignment and individual shooting activity will determine whether Tuesday represents the beginning of a more substantial role.