Panthers backup Anthony Stolarz headlines the top streaming options for Tuesday, but don't overlook Karel Vejmelka of the Coyotes.
Tuesday, March 5. Nine-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Jet Greaves, CLB* at Tristan Jarry, PIT* (7 p.m. ET)
Anthony Stolarz, FLA* at Akira Schmid, NJ* (7 p.m. ET)
Stuart Skinner, EDM* at Linus Ullmark, BOS (7:30 p.m. ET)
Joel Hofer, STL* at Ilya Sorokin, NYI* (7:30 p.m. ET)
Jake Allen, MTL* at Juuse Saros, NSH* (8 p.m. ET)
Joey Daccord, SEA* at Connor Hellebuyck, WPG* (8 p.m. ET)
Arvid Söderblom, CHI at Connor Ingram, ARI* (9 p.m. ET)
Thatcher Demko, VAN* at Cam Talbot, LA* (10:30 p.m. ET)
Jake Oettinger, DAL* at Kaapo Kähkönen, SJ* (10:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Anthony Stolarz, FLA at NJ (21% rostered)
With the Panthers playing back-to-back, Stolarz likely gets this start. While the Devils' offense is talented, they've been a discombobulated bunch all season and Stolarz has arguably been the best backup in the league. Stolarz will be going for his fourth straight win, and even if he's not sharp, I have full confidence the Panthers will avenge their Jan. 13 loss.
Karel Vejmelka, ARI vs. CHI (22% rostered)
This is a sneaky-good start. I suspect Vejmelka will get his third straight start after snapping the Coyotes' 14-game losing streak, and he's been very good with two straight wins. This should easily be the third straight win with the Blackhawks playing the second half of a back-to-back and the Coyotes turning the ship around.
Editor's note: Connor Ingram will get the start instead. He's a good streaming option despite his recent struggles.
Joel Hofer, STL at NYI (7% rostered)
The Blues have faded with five losses in their past seven games and Hofer has lost three straight starts with a .900 SP. The Blues are 3-2-0 in their past five matchups and they not been particularly close with winning scores of 6-1, 7-4 and 4-0. However, with the Blues trending down and the Isles on a three-game winning streak and averaging 4.3 goals per game, I'm not fond of Hofer as a streaming option.
Akira Schmid, NJ vs. FLA (14% rostered)
Just a hunch, but after Nico Daws was pulled in two consecutive games, maybe it's time the Devils give Schmid a chance? Schmid went 18-for-18 in shots faced in his two relief appearances, and faces a team that's playing the second half of a back-to-back.
Schmid has not been very good this season but with young goalies anything can happen; there's definitely a chance of an upset where Schmid turns away a ton of shots, but the one thing that still worries me would be goal support. Roll the dice with Schmid if you dare, but don't be shocked if it's a blowout loss.
Editor's note: After Lindy Ruff was fired on Monday and replaced by interim head coach Travis Green, I don't think he will do anything drastic with the lineup yet. I suspect he'll give Daws a chance and then switch to Schmid if Daws performs poorly again.
Editor's note #2: Schmid was in the starter's net for Tuesday's practice, so never mind my previous comments about Green giving everyone a chance. He's making some changes right away with Simon Nemec expected to sit and, clearly, he thinks Schmid should get a look.
Jake Allen, MTL vs. NSH (6% rostered)
Allen has not won a game since Jan. 15, a surprising 4-3 win over the Avs, but has since gone five starts without a win. The Preds, meanwhile, are going for their ninth straight win (!) and will not be easy to stop.
Arvid Söderblom, CHI vs. ARI (1% rostered)
A week ago, this wouldn't seem like a bad matchup for Söderblom, but it certainly is now with the Coyotes finding their scoring touch again. The Blackhawks are also playing the second half of a back-to-back, and I don't see much upside Söderblom beyond a decent save percentage, and that's a maybe.