Buffalo aims to stop home skid in matchup with Arizona
The Buffalo Sabres host the Arizona Coyotes looking to stop a three-game home losing streakDECEMBER 10, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Juuso Valimaki - Delivers helperValimaki put up an assist in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Bruins.
ImpactValimaki helped out on a Clayton Keller goal early in the second period. This was Valimaki's first point in five games since he returned from a mouth injury. The point drought stood at 10 contests overall when accounting for his dry spell before the absence. Despite his lack of offense, the 25-year-old continues to feature on the second power-play unit, even with Janis Moser playing better hockey of late. Valimaki is at five assists, 13 shots on net, 25 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 20 appearances.
DECEMBER 10, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Matias Maccelli - Assists in consecutive outingsMaccelli provided an assist, fired five shots on goal and went minus-2 in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Bruins.
ImpactMaccelli found Lawson Crouse in the slot on the Coyotes' third goal. As usual, Maccelli has been a solid playmaker recently, racking up two goals and six assists over his last 10 contests. The 23-year-old winger is up to four goals, 15 helpers, 51 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 26 outings overall. As long as he's on the second line, Maccelli should continue to provide solid secondary scoring for the Coyotes and fantasy managers.
DECEMBER 10, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Nick Bjugstad - Gathers helperBjugstad recorded an assist, four shots on goal, four hits, two PIM and a minus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Bruins.
ImpactBjugstad helped out on a Lawson Crouse tally from in close during the third period. With seven points over his last nine games, Bjugstad is continuing to play well in a second-line role. The 31-year-old center is up to 17 points (six goals, 11 helpers), 46 shots on net, 34 hits, 19 blocked shots, 26 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 26 outings. He's not a prolific scorer, but his physical play and a scoring pace that is in line with the best of his career makes him a solid depth forward in fantasy.
DECEMBER 10, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Jason Zucker - Hands out assistZucker managed an assist, three shots on goal and three hits in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Bruins.
ImpactZucker was promoted to the top line for this contest with the Coyotes maintaining a seven-defensemen lineup. The 31-year-old winger has a goal and three helpers over the last three games, and he saw a season-high 18:16 of ice time Saturday. Zucker could get a bump in fantasy value if he can develop chemistry with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, especially after talented rookie Logan Cooley was bumped to the bottom six. Zucker is at nine points, 39 shots on net, 22 hits and a plus-3 rating through 19 appearances.
DECEMBER 10, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Clayton Keller - Nets ninth goal of 2023-24Keller contributed a goal in a 5-3 loss to Boston on Saturday.
ImpactKeller has recorded at least a point in four of his last five contests, giving him a goal and five assists over that stretch. He's up to nine markers and 25 points in 26 outings in 2023-24. Keller finished last season with 37 goals and 86 points in 82 games, so he hasn't quite matched that offensive pace, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him finish with at least 80 points for the second straight campaign.
DECEMBER 9, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Lawson Crouse - Collects goal in lossCrouse recorded a goal in a 5-3 loss to Boston on Saturday.
ImpactCrouse's marker came early in the third period to narrow Boston's lead to 4-3, but the Coyotes weren't able to finish their comeback bid. The 26-year-old has been held off the scoresheet just once over his last four contests, giving him two goals and four points over that stretch. Through 25 games this year, Crouse has 12 goals and 17 points.
DECEMBER 9, 2023•ROTOWIRE
