Sunday's recommended goalies from the waiver wire include the Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov, who takes over the net after veteran Antti Raanta was waived Saturday.
Sunday, Dec. 17. Five-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Thatcher Demko, VAN* at Petr Mrazek, CHI (3 p.m. ET)
Darcy Kuemper, WSH* at Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR (6 p.m. ET)
John Gibson, ANA at Vitek Vanecek, NJ (7 p.m. ET)
Mackenzie Blackwood, SJ at Alexandar Georgiev, COL* (8 p.m. ET)
Joonas Korpisalo, OTT at Jiri Patera, VEG (8 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR vs. WSH (44% rostered)
Not only should Kochetkov be streamed, he should be picked up in all leagues as the presumptive No. 1 going forward after veteran Antti Raanta was waived on Saturday. Kochetkov has played much better lately, allowing two goals in two games. Even if he wasn’t playing this well, the Canes need him to be their starter out of necessity. The Caps are playing the second half of a back-to-back.
Jiri Patera, VEG vs. OTT (1% rostered)
Adin Hill is still day-to-day which means Patera is in line to get his second start of the season. He was good when he needed to be in his season debut against the rival Sharks, stopping 35 of 39 shots (.897 SP) and two shootout attempts in a 5-4 win. The Sens are a tougher opponent, but the Knights will be favored in this matchup. Look for the win, but also expect a mediocre save percentage.
Mackenzie Blackwood, SJ at COL (12% rostered)
I’d be wary of this matchup against an elite offense, but Blackwood has shown an uncanny ability to rack up the saves. That’s the hope here because a win seems unlikely, and a Sharks offense that had been ripping apart its opponents has now gone quiet once again, scoring just two goals in their past two games.
John Gibson, ANA at NJ (47% rostered)
The Ducks have lost five straight and show no signs of turning it around. Mason McTavish did not play Friday against the Rangers and his status is questionable, at best. Gibson has a winning record against the Devils in his career – 5-3-0, 920 SP – but I wouldn’t put too much stock in those numbers in this matchup.
Petr Mrazek, CHI vs. VAN (23% rostered)
It’s an early start for the Canucks in the second half of a back-to-back, and that’s about the only advantage the Hawks have. However, the Canucks did play an early matinee Saturday, giving them plenty of time to travel and rest. The Canucks have dominated this matchup over the past six years, losing just three times in regulation in 17 meetings.
