A small three-game slate for Wednesday that will see the Stars try to complete the home-and-home sweep of the Wild and a Western Conference clash between the Avalanche and Golden Knights.
Wednesday, Jan. 10. Three-game slate.
Cayden Primeau, MTL* at Samuel Ersson, PHI* (7 p.m. ET)
Jesper Wallstedt, MIN* at Scott Wedgewood, DAL* (7:30 p.m. ET)
Adin Hill, VEG* at Alexandar Georgiev, COL* (10 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues, ranked by matchup)
Samuel Ersson, PHI vs. MTL (26% rostered)
Carter Hart lost their previous game to the Pens so the might Flyers go back to Ersson, who has not won since Dec. 28 but has also allowed only five goals in his past two starts.
The advantage for the Flyers is the addition of 21-year-old defenseman Jamie Drysdale, acquired Monday via trade, and it gives them a pretty deep and solid group on the blueline. I like Ersson's odds of winning this matchup and not too concerned about a poor save percentage or GAA.
Scott Wedgewood, DAL vs. MIN (41% rostered)
With rookie Matt Murray shutting out the Wild in Minnesota in the first game of their home-and-home series Monday, it should be Wedgewood's turn in net, unless Jake Oettinger is ready to return.
Given the Stars' recent dominance in this matchup and injuries to several of the Wild's key players, the odds of a two game sweep are pretty good, especially with the Stars being good at home (12-7-2) and the Wild so mediocre on the road (7-10-2). Wedgewood looked a little tired after allowing nine goals in his past two starts, so the three days' rest should serve him well.
Editor's note: The Stars returned Murray to Cedar Park briefly on Tuesday but called him up Wednesday morning, indicating Oettinger will not dress against the Wild.
(NEW) Jesper Wallstedt, MIN at DAL (5% rostered)
It's time. Drafted 20th overall in 2021, Wallstedt is one of the league's best prospects in net and he'll be making his NHL debut against the Stars. He's compiled a 29-24-5 record and a .911 SP in the AHL since last season, and he was named Best Goalie at the 2022 World Juniors. The Swede is the prototypical new-age goalie — big and mobile — and the the Wild's future in net.
While it's always a risk to start a rookie netminder, having an inexperienced goalie can sometimes force teams to play better defensively, and the opposition usually don't have as many scouting reports on them. The Wild are missing Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, which makes this matchup tougher, but if you're bold and looking for a start, Wallstedt's pedigree makes him worth the gamble. You just never know; (the other) Matt Murray shut out the Wild in his season debut in Minnesota, and maybe the Wild pull the Uno reverse card in Dallas this time.
Samuel Montembeault, MTL at PHI (23% rostered)
This is the first game of the Habs' back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday, so if Montembeault doesn't get this start, he'll surely get Thursday's. With two straight wins, Montembeault's finding his groove and there's certainly some upset potential here.
However, the Habs' offense isn't exactly potent, and that would be my biggest concern in this matchup. I think Montembeault can at least provide a good save percentage; the other games have more star power and the potential to feature more goals.
Editor's note: Cayden Primeau will get the start, which means Montembeault likely starts Thursday. I'm way more confident in Montembeault than Primeau, so I'd sit out this matchup.
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