JANUARY 1ā¢BOSTONGLOBE.COM
United States blows out Slovakia to finish group play perfect at world junior hockey - The Boston GlobeBoston College teammates Ryan Leonard and Cutter Gauthier added goals for the Americans, who will face Latvia on Tuesday in the quarterfinal...
Yaroslav Askarov - Sent back to minorsAskarov was reassigned to AHL Milwaukee on Sunday.
ImpactAskarov's return to the minors could bode well for the availability of Kevin Lankinen (illness) for Tuesday's contest against Chicago. The 21-year-old Askarov earned his first NHL win Saturday, stopping 27 of 29 shots in a 3-2 shootout victory over Washington.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Trevor van Riemsdyk - Dishes assist SaturdayVan Riemsdyk posted an assist and blocked three shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.
ImpactVan Riemsdyk snapped a 10-game point drought with the helper on Beck Malenstyn's first-period marker. The 32-year-old van Riemsdyk has been a steady part of the Capitals' defense this season, most often serving in a bottom-four role. Despite his regular role, he's been a non-factor on offense with six assists and 34 shots on net over 30 contests. He's steadier in his own zone, adding 45 blocked shots with a minus-6 rating on a team that's not generating many goals throughout the roster.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Nic Dowd - Offers assist in shootout lossDowd provided an assist and fired two shots on goal in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.
ImpactDowd set up a Beck Malenstyn tally in the first period. The assist ended an eight-game point drought for Dowd. The 33-year-old has remained a fixture on the Capitals' fourth line with the ability to move up in the lineup as necessary for key defensive moments. He's produced six points, 26 shots on net, 32 blocked shots, 24 hits and a plus-5 rating through 25 appearances. His on-ice value is higher than his fantasy usefulness, as he simply doesn't score enough to be helpful in the virtual game.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Aliaksei Protas - Manages helperProtas recorded an assist, three shots on goal and two hits in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.
ImpactProtas helped out on Alex Ovechkin's goal in the second period. This was Protas' fifth helper over the last six games, and he ends December with nine points across 14 outings. The 22-year-old has stepped up into a middle-six role in what's looking like a bit of a breakout season. He's at three goals, 15 assists, 42 shots on net and a plus-3 rating through 33 contests overall while finding chemistry with Anthony Mantha and Connor McMichael on the second line.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Dylan Strome - Supplies helper SaturdayStrome notched an assist and blocked three shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.
ImpactStrome set up an Alex Ovechkin goal just after a power play in the second period. The helper snapped a three-game slump for Strome, though the Capitals scored just three times over that span as they continue to put up much offense. The 26-year-old center has been one of their more productive forwards with 21 points (seven on the power play), 75 shots on net, 21 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 34 appearances, mainly in a top-line role. Strome could be shuffled out of that position if head coach Spencer Carbery makes drastic changes to the forward lines.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
Beck Malenstyn - Finds twine SaturdayMalenstyn scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Predators.
ImpactMalenstyn got the Capitals on the board midway through the first period after they fell in an early 2-0 hole. The goal snapped his eight-game point drought. The 25-year-old forward has remained in a fourth-line role for much of the season, but his ice time has been more in line with a middle-six forward. He's produced three goals, four helpers, 38 shots on net, 79 hits, 43 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 34 appearances.
DECEMBER 31, 2023ā¢ROTOWIRE
