Daily Faceoff Fantasy Minute: March 13th

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• Nikita Kucherov left Tuesday’s game with an illness and was not on the ice for this morning’s skate. He’s considered a game-time decision vs. Philadelphia. Nick Paul (11% rostered) took his spot on the top line this morning and Brandon Hagel was on PP1 if Kucherov doesn’t play tonight.
• Sticking with the Lightning, Jonas Johansson (2%) is expected to start in Philly. He’s been really solid in his last 10 starts, going 6-4-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .913 SV%. He draws a good spot-start matchup against a Flyers team that is on a five-game losing skid, having scored just eight goals (1.6 per game) during that stretch.
• The Devils announced that Dougie Hamilton will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. Luke Hughes (55%) has stepped up beautifully in his absence, posting one goal and four assists while averaging 23:19 TOI in four games since Hamilton got hurt.
• Boone Jenner (31%) was promoted to PP1 in place of Dmitri Voronkov (31%) this morning. Jenner has picked up nine assists in eight games since returning to the lineup but is still searching for his first goal. His shot volume will likely hold him back from being a fantasy asset for the rest of the season, but the bump to PP1 makes him a short-term option.
• Will Cuylle (35%) and Alexis Lafreniere (54%) swapped lines at the Rangers’ morning skate. Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin have much better offensive metrics than J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad , so this should be a boost for Cuylle and a downgrade for Lafreniere. Cuylle has four goals and three assists (seven points) in his last 11 games.
• Tyler Toffoli (38%) and Macklin Celebrini were reunited in practice on Wednesday. Toffoli has been on a heater, with 13 points (7G / 6A) in his last 14 games. He’s averaging 3.6 SOG/gm during that stretch, so expect the goal-scoring to continue if he keeps that shot volume going. William Eklund (20%) -Celebrini-Toffoli have been very good together this season, averaging 31 SCF/60 and could be in for a big night against the Blackhawks on Thursday. Eklund should be in consideration too, having scored four goals with seven assists (11 points) in his last 12 games.