Key matchups between the the Bruins and Flyers, Panthers and Rangers, Oilers and Maple Leafs, and Flames and Canucks await a busy Saturday.
Saturday, March 23. 11-game slate.
* = confirmed
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG* at Semyon Varlamov, NYI* (1 p.m. ET)
Linus Ullmark, BOS* at Samuel Ersson, PHI* (1 p.m. ET)
Jordan Binnington, STL* at Marc-André Fleury, MIN* (2 p.m. ET)
Alex Lyon, DET* at Juuse Saros, NSH* (5 p.m. ET)
Joonas Korpisalo, OTT* at Jake Allen, NJ* (7 p.m. ET)
Stuart Skinner, EDM* at Ilya Samsonov, TOR* (7 p.m. ET)
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA* at Igor Shesterkin, NYR* (8 p.m. ET)
Jacob Markström, CGY* at Casey DeSmith, VAN* (10 p.m. ET)
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB* at Cam Talbot, LA (10:30 p.m. ET)
Petr Mrázek, CHI* at Devin Cooley, SJ* (10:30 p.m. ET)
Daniil Tarasov, CLB* at Adin Hill, VEG* (10:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
(ranked by matchup)
Jake Allen, NJ vs. OTT (30% rostered)
If Allen starts in this spot -- the Devils play back-to-back Saturday and Sunday -- I really like this matchup. Allen has been very good for the Devils, and they were also excellent against the Jets, allowed just 19 shots in a 4-1 win. The Sens have lost three straight with 18 goals allowed during that span. Even if Allen isn't sharp, the Devils should be able to provide ample goal support to earn him a win.
Petr Mrázek, CHI at SJ (29% rostered)
Losing 4-0 to the Ducks was embarrassing, and I suspect the Hawks will come out with a better effort. Mrázek was shelled in his previous start against the Kings, allowing six goals on 18 shots, but this should be an easy matchup. He allowed just two goals on 25 shots in their previous meeting on March 17, and I expect a similar result. Mrázek should be a top streaming option for Saturday.
Filip Gustavsson, MIN vs. STL (67% rostered)
Marc-André Fleury was pulled in his last start so I think the Wild go with Gustavsson against the Blues. He's coming off a 27-save shutout against the Ducks so it looks like his play has turned a corner, and in his previous start against the Blues allowed just one goal on 24 shots.
However, I still think this game is a coin flip and I would give the Blues the slight edge because they've been playing better and they're at home. Gustavsson feels like a risky play because he just hasn't been very reliable all season.
Editor's note: Fleury starts for the Wild.
Samuel Ersson, PHI vs. BOS (39% rostered)
The Flyers fared far better than I expected in a 3-2 loss to the Canes, and it certainly feels like they've got some positive momentum going. The Flyers might be able to keep it close -- I also suspect Sean Couturier will return to the lineup following the loss -- but I would still definitely give the Bruins the edge in this game. If you start Ersson, you're likely hoping for a lot of saves and a good save percentage.
Alex Lyon, DET at NSH (38% rostered)
The good news is the Wings can provide good goal support, especially with Dylan Larkin back in the lineup. The bad news is the Preds have been one of the best teams in the league over the past two months, and they still haven't lost in regulation since Feb. 15. The Preds lost 5-4 in overtime in their previous meeting and I suspect the same might happen here with a higher scoring but tight game.
Lyon has struggled under the immense workload this season, having last won a game on Feb. 27, a span of seven appearances with 29 goals allowed (4.14 per game). I think you're better off looking elsewhere.
Joseph Woll, TOR vs. EDM (50% rostered)
It'll be interesting to see who the Leafs start in this spot. Woll's coming off a 7-3 win while Ilya Samsonov has gotten the bulk of the saves, but neither goalie are desirable starts against arguably the best offense in the league.
It's funny, but usually when both teams feature elite offensive players, it ends up being more of a grinding affair because neither team wants to give the opposition any space, even if defense isn't their forte. Still, given how explosive the Oilers' offense can be, this is just a risky start.
Editor's note: Samsonov will start and any team with Connor McDavid will always scare me.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. WPG (18% rostered)
Varlamov's overall stats (7-7-4, .910 SP, 2.86 GAA) looks good enough, but since the end of his four-game winning streak on Dec. 16, he's actually 2-4-3 with a .893 SP and 3.14 GAA. The Jets will be tough to score against and the Isles are slumping badly with a six-game losing streak. I think it's more likely they snap out of their funk Sunday against the Devils with Ilya Sorokin in net.