Fantasy hockey awards at first quarter of 2018-19

NHL.com identifies the most valuable players at each position and biggest surprises in fantasy hockey after the first quarter of the 2018-19 season (statistics entering Wednesday). For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

CENTER

MVP: Nathan MacKinnon (COL)-- Any concerns about the Colorado Avalanche's staying power have been silenced by their top line of MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. Rantanen and MacKinnon have carried over their stellar home production from last season to the road, where they rank first and third in such points entering Wednesday (Rantanen, 21 in 12 games; MacKinnon 19). MacKinnon is tied for third in shots on goal (87) and on pace for almost 120 points (1.45 points per game), outperforming his rate from last season (1.31).
Surprise: Max Domi (MTL) -- An underrated offseason move by the Montreal Canadiens has yielded one of the biggest fantasy steals of the season. Domi, who has shifted to center after playing mostly left wing with the Arizona Coyotes, found instant chemistry with left wing Jonathan Drouin to make the Canadiens a nightly source of fantasy value. Domi has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in his first 21 games and is tied with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid for the most games with at least one point (18) entering Wednesday.

LEFT WING

MVP: Jeff Skinner (BUF) -- The potential 2019 unrestricted free agent was acquired in a trade by the Buffalo Sabres this offseason and has caught fire since joining a line with center Jack Eichel. Skinner has 19 points (13 goals, six assists) in 14 games since the Oct. 20 line change and has been a much-needed finisher for Buffalo, arguably the most improved team in the NHL. Skinner is better than a point per game on the season, leads the Sabres at plus-12, and has far surpassed his Yahoo average draft position (98.0).
Surprise: Micheal Ferland (CAR)-- He's quietly one of two players in the NHL with at least 10 goals and 40 hits (64); the other is Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (15 goals, 57 hits). Ferland has been a staple on the Carolina Hurricanes' top line, aiding in Sebastian Aho's transition to a full-time center role. Ferland is one of the biggest surprises based on ADP (148.9) and is expanding on his production from last season, when he played with forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan for the Calgary Flames.

RIGHT WING

MVP: Mikko Rantanen (COL) -- The Avalanche right wing has taken his game to a new level in his contract year (potential 2019 restricted free agent), leading the NHL in points (32 in 20 games) and assists (24). Rantanen was underestimated in drafts (ADP: 62.2) after a breakout performance last season (84 points in 81 games) and edges honorable mention David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, who leads the NHL with 17 goals, for the right wing award.
Surprise: Timo Meier (SJS) -- The San Jose Sharks have dealt with injuries and lineup flux early on, but Meier has remained in the top six throughout and is tied for ninth in even-strength points (18). Whether on a line centered by Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture or Joe Thornton, Meier has kept the goals (12; T-13th) and shots on goal (71; T-19th) coming, making him one of the breakout players this season.

DEFENSEMAN

MVP: Morgan Rielly (TOR) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman leads the position in goals (nine) and points (26) through 21 games. With center Auston Matthews (shoulder) missing significant time, Rielly has kept the Maple Leafs offense (3.52 goals per game; 4th in NHL) and power play (25.9 percent; 6th) near the top of the League and benefited from exposure to center John Tavares.
Surprise: Thomas Chabot (OTT) -- Even with Erik Karlsson's recent bounce-back stretch for the San Jose Sharks, Chabot has far exceeded the value of his former teammate. Ottawa is tied for the most goals per game in the NHL entering Wednesday (3.57), and Chabot has gone from a late-round pick (ADP: 165.6) to one of four point-per-game defensemen (24 points in 21 games). With forwards Matt Duchene and Mark Stone two of the hottest scorers in the NHL in their contract years (potential 2019 UFAs), and multiple rookies producing in big roles (Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Colin White, Max Lajoie), the Senators have gone from overlooked in the preseason to a team that commands fantasy respect.

GOALIE

MVP: Frederik Andersen (TOR) -- The Maple Leafs are the best road team in the NHL at 9-1-0, and Andersen is 7-0-0 in such starts. Overcoming a shaky start to the season for Toronto's defense, Andersen leads the NHL in wins (12 in 17 games) and save percentage (.935; minimum 15 games). Drafted on average in the fourth round (ADP: 37.6), Andersen has been an efficient workhorse for fantasy owners and proven he's not just a product of a potent offense.
Surprise: Jaroslav Halak (BOS) -- He leads the Boston Bruins in goalie starts (12) and is 7-2-2 with a .935 save percentage and two shutouts, outperforming Tuukka Rask (four wins in eight starts, .912 SV%, no shutouts). Halak has the third best even-strength save percentage in the NHL (.944; minimum 10 games) behind David Rittich of the Flames (.956) and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators (.953) and has redeemed himself after a forgettable season with the New York Islanders. Halak has become a must-own goalie despite the injury absences of top defensemen Torey Krug and Charlie McAvoy early this season, and Zdeno Chara this month.