Cutter Gauthier Scores Nine Goals in Four Games, a Ducks First, as Anaheim Wins a Third Straight: Is the Power-Play Surge a Fantasy Buy?

Cutter Gauthier scored and added an assist in Anaheim's 5-4 win at Edmonton on Thursday, giving him nine goals in a four-game span. He is the first player in Ducks history to do it, and the last NHL player to score nine goals in four games was Auston Matthews in February 2024. Gauthier entered the night coming off back-to-back hat tricks, and seven of his nine goals in the run have come on the power play. The Ducks (8-7-1) have won three straight, and they are suddenly one of the most fantasy-relevant teams in the league.

The streak in context

Gauthier's surge has turned a slow start into one of the best offensive stretches in the league. Per CBS Sports' fantasy notes, his season line through 15 appearances showed 11 goals, six assists and 62 shots on goal, along with a six-game point streak featuring nine goals and three assists, with nine of those 12 points on the power play.

Two things stand out. First, the shot volume: 62 shots in 15 games is a little over four per game, which is an elite rate for a winger and the most sustainable part of his profile. Second, the power-play concentration. Seven power-play goals in four games is the part that will not last at this pace, but it also tells you his role on the top unit is firmly established.

What's sustainable and what isn't

Sustainable: shot volume and power-play deployment. A player taking four-plus shots per game on a top power-play unit will score at a high rate over a full season. Those are the two inputs that matter most in fantasy hockey, and Gauthier has both.

Not sustainable: the shooting percentage during the streak. Nine goals in four games is an outlier, and every goal-scorer's shooting percentage regresses over time. Expect his scoring to cool to a more normal, but still strong, rate. His season-long outlook is a top-line winger who should produce well above his preseason projection, not one who maintains this pace.

The minus-5 rating is a minor concern. In leagues that count plus-minus, it is a drag, but in most formats, goals, power-play points and shots far outweigh it.

Beckett Sennecke is the other add

Gauthier is not the only Duck delivering. Beckett Sennecke had two goals and an assist on Thursday, including a third-period power-play goal, and Pavel Mintyukov also scored twice, per one game summary. Sennecke's three-point night is a sign of a young winger whose role is growing, and anyone producing on this Ducks power play right now deserves a roster spot.

Sennecke: a must-add in 12-team leagues if he is available. His value depends on staying on the power play, but the production is real.

Mintyukov: a deep-league option for defensemen who score. Two goals in a game from the blue line is not something to chase blindly, but if he is getting power-play time, he is worth monitoring.

Edmonton's side: McDavid's streak continues

The loss did not slow Connor McDavid, who had a goal and three assists to extend his season-opening point streak to 17 games. Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two assists. Edmonton (11-3-3) saw its five-game point streak end.

For fantasy, the Oilers' stars are locked in as usual. The only note is defensive: allowing five goals, including two on the Ducks' power play, is a sign that Edmonton's goaltending and penalty kill are worth watching for managers who start Oilers goalies.

Trade and waiver strategy

If you roster Gauthier: hold. Do not sell high unless an opponent offers a player with clear long-term value at a premium. His shot volume and power-play role support a strong rest-of-season outlook, even with regression.

If you do not roster Gauthier: check whether he was dropped early in the season during his slow start. In leagues where he is available, add him immediately. In leagues where he is rostered, a manager who is not paying close attention might trade him at a value based on his preseason projection, which would be a buy.

For Sennecke: add now. The cost is low and the upside is a top-six winger on an improving power play.

Betting angle

Anaheim's three-game win streak and power-play surge have made the Ducks a team worth respecting in the betting market. Gauthier's anytime goal-scorer props will be priced aggressively after this run, so be selective. The better angle is the Ducks' team total against weaker penalty-killing units, where their top power-play unit can drive scoring. For the model's view on upcoming Ducks games, see the NHL predictions page and the daily NHL picks piece.

What it means

Gauthier has gone from a slow start to one of the most valuable fantasy wingers in the league in a matter of days, and the inputs behind the surge (shots and power-play time) are real. Expect regression in his shooting percentage, but not in his role. Add Sennecke while the Anaheim power play is rolling, and keep riding McDavid in Edmonton.