Could we see Nico Daws start his fourth straight game? Can Antti Raanta continue his redemption tour? Will Elvis Merzlikins win consecutive games?
Friday, Jan. 19. Four-game slate.
Alex Lyon, DET* at Antti Raanta, CAR (7 p.m. ET)
Vitek Vanecek, NJ at Elvis Merzlikins, CLB* (7 p.m. ET)
Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN* at Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA* (7 p.m. ET)
Ilya Sorokin, NYI at Arvid Soderblom, CHI (8:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Nico Daws, NJ at CLB (22% rostered)
I think Vitek Vanecek will get the start just so Daws can get a break, having lost two straight games. Daws has been better than Vanecek but not good enough to run away with the starting job. I think the Devils have the edge but don't think it's a very big one. Daws might escape with a win but the save percentage may not be very good.
Elvis MerzlikinsElvis Merzlikins, CLB vs. NJ (24% rostered)
We shall see what sort of monster Merzlikins unleashes as he tries to pump up his trade value after the Jackets said in no uncertain terms that he's not their No. 1 going forward.
This is a chance for him to put together a winning streak after defeating the Canucks in a shootout in his previous start. Though the Devils should be the heavy favorites, they've lost four of their past five and missing key offensive players from their lineup. The Devils have won five of their past six meetings against the Jackets, including two blowout wins, but I suspect this matchup will be much tougher.
I think there's a chance for an upset here, especially with captain Boone Jenner returning to the lineup for an additional boost.
Antti Raanta, CAR vs. DET (31% rostered)
Unless Pyotr Kochetkov returns, expect Raanta to get the starts because clearly the Canes don't trust Yaniv Perets just yet. The worry about Raanta is that no matter how well the Canes manage to limit the opposition's shots, he's going to allow at least a couple goals.
The Wings have been excellent in 2024, going 6-0-1 since their last regulation loss on Dec. 31.