The Golden Knights and Oilers clash in what may be a preview of the first round.
Wednesday, April 10. Three-game slate.
* = confirmed
Petr Mrázek, CHI* at Joel Hofer, STL* (8 p.m. ET)
Adin Hill, VEG* at Stuart Skinner, EDM* (8:30 p.m. ET)
Connor Ingram, ARI at Artūrs Šilovs, VAN (10:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
(ranked by matchup)
Artūrs Šilovs, VAN vs. ARI (12% rostered)
It's not confirmed yet, but it looks like Šilovs will take the net for the second straight game with Thatcher Demko backing him up. Šilovs wasn't particularly sharp Monday against the Knights, but he played well enough to earn the win. With Demko returning, this might be the Canucks' way of giving Šilovs one more look before the playoffs and perhaps a chance to determine if he will be ready for a full-time backup role next season.
The Coyotes' offense has been quite effective lately, but the Canucks have dominated this matchup in recent years. Even if Šilovs isn't sharp, the Canucks' goal support should be able to bail him out. I like Šilovs as a streaming option, though there's obviously risk in going with such an inexperienced young goalie.
Joel Hofer, STL vs. CHI (15% rostered)
Does Hofer scare me a little bit? Yes, because he got two softball matchups against the Sharks and lost both of them. However, he's been pretty solid all season, and sometimes when goalies face so few shots, it disrupts their rhythm.
I think there's a chance of an upset, but the Blues are still favored. It could be closer than expected but I think Hofer can earn the 'W' and deliver a decent save percentage.
Petr Mrázek, CHI at STL (29% rostered)
Mrázek has a .952 SP in his past four starts since March 26, ranked fourth in the league among goalies with at least three starts. Actually, the Hawks' goaltending has been quite excellent lately, and I certainly do like the odds of an upset here. Mrázek will pile up the saves with the upshot of perhaps stealing this game and the Blues have not been playing well lately, losing to the Sharks (twice!) and needing a shootout to beat the Ducks. I like the risk-reward proposition here.
Casey DeSmith, VAN vs. ARI (36% rostered)
Artūrs Šilovs got the win Monday night but didn't play well enough to convince anybody he was about to take over the net. I think DeSmith gets this start after a three-day breather and bounces back with a much stronger effort than his previous start, a 6-3 loss to the Kings. I kind of doubt he'll post a good save percentage, especially if the Coyotes get on the power play, but he should get ample goal support to at least secure a win.
Editor's note: It looks like Šilovs will get the start. Perhaps the Canucks are losing a little confidence in DeSmith, or maybe they just want to give the kid another look. Regardless, with Demko returning soon, DeSmith's fantasy value has clearly declined. Feel free to drop him.
Connor Ingram, ARI at VAN (53% rostered)
This is the second half of a back-to-back for the Coyotes and the Canucks are riding pretty high after escaping with a win against the Knights on Monday. Ingram has played well in his past two games, allowing just four goals on 60 shots (.933 SP), and allowed only four goals on 59 shots (.932 SP) in two starts against the Canucks this season. The Canucks could have a tough time scoring in Ingram, but they'll eventually break through with so much talent on their roster.
With the way the Coyotes have been playing, this might actually end up being a track meet, too, and the Canucks offense is very dangerous in transition. I think Ingram can put up a solid save percentage, but the goals allowed might be high and it'll be tough to get the win as the definite underdogs.