Fantasy hockey Week 3: Kaprizov's hot start, hat tricks, and shifting creases
Week 3 of the fantasy hockey season saw Kirill Kaprizov become the first skater to reach double-digit goals, while several Panthers and other players recorded hat tricks. Olen Zellweger led the NHL in shots on goal for the week, and Neal Pionk produced while filling in for an injured Josh Morrissey. Goalie tandems in Montreal, San Jose, and Carolina also shifted, with backups earning consecutive starts and outperforming the incumbents.
Kirill Kaprizov reached 10 goals in his first nine games, making him the earliest skater to hit double digits this season. Olen Zellweger, 23, matched Brady Tkachuk for the weekly NHL shots lead with 20 while Rasmus Dahlin was out. Neal Pionk added five points in three games during Josh Morrissey's absence.
Seven hat tricks occurred in Week 3, including two by Brady Tkachuk and one each from Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Mark Stone, Kirill Marchenko, and Matt Boldy. Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and Reinhart topped the week's goal chart. Montreal, San Jose, and Carolina saw backup goalies start consecutively and outperform incumbents.
The Week 3 developments could influence how fantasy managers value goalies, streamers, and injury replacements. Fans may track crease battles in Montreal, San Jose, and Carolina more closely, while strong starts from Kaprizov and Wallstedt may raise interest in those player stories. Injuries to Morrissey and Tavares could test roster depth and prompt more IR moves, affecting casual and dedicated fantasy participants alike.