This article is part of our Category Targets series.
Fantasy managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your squads.
Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.
Josh Doan, LW/RW, Sabres (33% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/PP
Doan hasn't gone more than two games without a point since mid-November, notching six goals and eight assists in his past 16 appearances. He has 37 shots on net and six power-play points (two goals, four assists) over that stretch. The 23-year-old forward has been playing well in Buffalo's top six and sees time on the first power-play combination. He's on pace to top 25 goals and come close to the 60-point plateau this campaign. He possesses plenty of upside entering a three-game week for the Sabres.
William Eklund, LW/RW, Sharks (32% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Hits/Blocks/PP
Eklund has registered three goals, four helpers, 22 shots on net, six blocked shots and six hits in his last nine appearances. He has one tally and two helpers with the man advantage during that span. In Saturday's comeback win over Pittsburgh, he earned his first multipoint effort since Oct. 26. His fantasy value increases substantially if Philipp Kurashev and/or Will Smith miss time due to injuries sustained versus the Penguins. However, Eklund's category coverage and offensive upside give him plenty of potential this week heading into a three-game home stand for the Sharks.
John Gibson, G, Red Wings (32% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Gibson has won his last five outings while posting a 2.00 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. He has stopped 157 of the 167 shots he has faced over that span while recording two shutouts. Gibson and Cam Talbot will probably split starts during a busy four-game week for Detroit that includes two back-to-backs. However, Talbot's recent struggles and Gibson's red-hot play have significantly improved the latter's fantasy value.
Ryan O'Reilly, C, Predators (22% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Blocks/Faceoffs
O'Reilly has compiled four goals, 11 points and 12 shots on net in his last nine appearances. He has averaged 19:48 of ice time per game over that span while skating on the top line and first power-play unit. He has earned one goal and two power-play helpers during his three-game point streak. O'Reilly also ranks 12th in the league with 306 faceoff wins and has won 57.1 percent of his puck drops. He has 24 points, 50 shots and 23 blocks through 31 contests this campaign and is a great roster choice ahead of a four-game week for Nashville.
Boone Jenner, C/LW, Blue Jackets (18% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Hits/Blocks
Jenner has appeared in two games after missing 14 due to an upper-body injury, racking up one goal, one assist, five shots on net, six hits and three blocked shots. He has supplied four goals, 12 points, 37 shots, 16 blocks and 36 hits through 18 appearances this season. The Columbus captain is back on the top line and sees power-play time. While staying healthy has been an issue for him, he remains a solid source of category coverage and has fantasy value in deeper banger leagues going into a three-game week for the Blue Jackets.
John Klingberg, D, Sharks (12% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Blocks/PP
Klingberg has erupted offensively, accumulating four goals and three assists during his four-game point streak. He has one power-play marker, five shots on net, nine hits and eight blocked shots over that time. The veteran defender has been a double-digit goal scorer five times in the NHL before. While his recent offensive surge will be challenging to maintain, he could be a solid source of points, blocks and hits if he keeps his spot in the lineup and continues to skate on the top power-play unit.
Jonathan Quick, G, Rangers (9% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Quick has a 3-3-1 record through seven appearances this season while posting a 1.86 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. He hasn't won his last three outings, but he has been solid and makes for an intriguing pickup going into a busy week for the Rangers. New York plays a league-high five times, including a pair of back-to-back situations, which could lead to at least two starts for Quick. If he gets the second half of both sets, he could face Vancouver and Nashville.
Ville Husso, G, Ducks (8% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Husso stopped 81 of the 88 shots he faced during a three-game winning streak before he gave up five goals on 37 shots to the Islanders on Dec. 11. Through eight NHL appearances this campaign, he has a 5-3-0 record with a 3.17 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage. With Petr Mrazek unavailable due to a lower-body injury, Husso could split starts with Lukas Dostal this week. The Ducks play four times, including a pair of back-to-backs, which could give Husso two outings versus the struggling Blue Jackets.
Christian Dvorak, C, Flyers (5% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots
Dvorak has been a pleasant surprise offensively for Philadelphia this season. He has the second-most assists (15) and the third-most points (22) on the team through 31 outings. He's fit in nicely alongside Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny, who are the top two producers on the club. The 29-year-old Dvorak hasn't reached the 40-point mark yet in his NHL career but he is trending toward a 40-assist campaign to go with just under 60 points. Dvorak hasn't gone more than consecutive contests without finding the scoresheet. He has one goal and five helpers in his last five matches. The Flyers play three times on the road this week.
Andrew Copp, C/LW, Red Wings (2% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Blocks/Faceoffs
Copp has heated up offensively in December, compiling two goals and five assists in his last six outings. He has one power-play helper and 13 shots on target during that span. He has 42 shots and 24 blocks through 33 appearances this season while seeing playing time in all situations. The 31-year-old center has been productive between red-hot wingers Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Copp also sits third on Detroit with 167 faceoff wins while winning 54.6 percent of his draws. His point production makes him a viable addition ahead of a four-game week for the Red Wings.
