Welcome to Fantrax’s NHL usage trends for December 4th — a tactical breakdown of deployment trends that matter. This week, we’re spotlighting key ice time changes, power play promotions, and line shakeups that could swing matchups and unlock hidden value. Whether you’re grinding in deep leagues or scanning for streaming upside, these shifts offer actionable insight for fantasy managers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | Goalie Streamers | Buy-Low, Sell-High | NHL Schedule Preview | Fantasy Hockey Cold List | NHL Usage Trends | Prospect Report | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
NHL Usage Trends For December 4
Braeden Bowman, RW – Vegas Golden Knights
It’s time to temper expectations on Bowman. For the first nine games, he saw 80% of the Golden Knights’ power play minutes. In the past four games, he’s played a total of 44 seconds on the power play, and none in the last three games. As an added knock, in the past two games, Bowman has lost two minutes of ice time per game.
We can blame the return of Mark Stone, who has been back for a total of four games. Bowman has played better than imagined in his call-up, so much so, it will be difficult to send him back down. If he stays, it will be in a limited role.
Carter Hart, G – Vegas Golden Knights
Tuesday night marked the first NHL game for Carter Hart in almost two years. He last played on January 21, 2024. He played as well as could be expected, giving up three goals on 30 shots and winning the game in a shootout.
With Adin Hill expected to be out for another couple of months, and the unspectacular play of Akira Schmid and Carl Lindbom, Hart will be the number one goalie for the Knights until Hill’s return.
Steven Stamkos, C/LW – Nashville Predators
In the last five games, his time on the power play has been reduced by close to 20%, compared to his season average. Coincidentally, he’s produced five points in the past four games.
Stamkos’ expected goals for at five-on-five this year are 54.1%. It wasn’t this high in his last four years with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Every advanced stat you look at shows Stamkos performing far below career norms. His 51% Corsi For (CF%) is also the highest it’s been since 2022. Currently on pace for 32 points, this might be the ultimate buy-low window on Stamkos. I know most prognosticators are calling him ‘washed up’. I’m not so convinced. Not to mention, it won’t cost you what it would have two years ago to trade for him. Which makes it that much more palatable to look his direction.
Ryan Leonard, RW – Washington Capitals
As of right now, Leonard is on the Capitals’ first power play unit. If you know anything about the Capitals’ usage, then you know the second unit sees very little ice time.
If he can hold down a spot 5-4 with Alex Ovechkin, he’s looking at a possible 10 to 15-point boost on expectations. If they go back to using both John Carlsson and Jacob Chychrun on the first unit, it will be Leonard who loses his spot. This is a big boost for Leonard. Keep an eye on this trend.
Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche
He’s back. No, I mean, he’s really back. It’s no surprise the Avalanche have been cautious with Landeskog’s return. With each game, confidence in his ability and his knee has grown.
In the past seven games, we’ve seen a five-minute jump in average ice time per game. We’ve also seen his return to the Avs’ first power play unit. It’s a little coincidence that he has eight points over that span and is riding a four-game point streak.
With a record of 19-1-6, the entire Avalanche team is riding on his return.
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