It's a short two-game slate for Friday with Devils at Blues and Flyers at Sabres in the second game of their home-and-home series.
Expected Starters
Samuel Ersson, PHI at BUF (1% rostered)
Carter Hart is injured and Ersson should get the start after coming in relief in their previous matchup. It’s always tough coming in for an injured goalie, and Ersson allowed two goals on just nine shots. For what it’s worth, the Flyers have publicly backed Ersson, but in his two previous starts, he allowed five and seven goals. The Sabres offense is picking up, which makes Ersson only worthwhile if you’re really, really looking for a start and some saves. It’s slim pickings for Friday’s slate for streaming goalies.
Forwards (Add/Hold)
Owen Tippett, RW, PHI at BUF (42% rostered)
This is a rematch of Wednesday’s clash in Philadelphia, where Tippett’s four-game point streak was snapped. It wasn’t without a lack of effort, though, with Tippett firing six shots on goal. Tippett’s gaining a lot of popularity in fantasy and become of the league’s best high-volume shooters so far this season.
Robert Thomas, C, STL vs. NJ (23% rostered)
Two things really work in favor for Thomas in this matchup: he wins a lot of draws and he’ll get better matchups on home ice with last change, and the Devils are allowing the sixth-most goals per game at 3.63. He’s been the Blues’ best offensive player to date; though that’s not saying much, it’s a light slate with just two games so there aren’t too many options to begin with.
Forwards (Stream)
Casey Mittelstadt, C, BUF vs. PHI (17% rostered)
Mittelstadt’s fourth multi-point game of the season against the Flyers was also his fifth point in four games. The Sabres are still trying to figure out their best combos after splitting up their top line, but it looks like Mittelstadt is the preferred No. 2 center behind Tage Thompson, and playing alongside the shifty Jeff Skinner certainly helps. Mittelstadt is great in points leagues but offers few peripherals other than faceoffs won.
JJ Peterka, RW, BUF vs. PHI (3% rostered)
Peterka’s assist was his third point in three games and he’s found a nice spot on Mittelstadt’s line opposite Jeff Skinner. The second line has been more consistent than Tage Thompson’s at times, and the Flyers are expected to start backup Samuel Ersson, who stopped just seven of nine shots in a relief appearance in their previous meeting after Carter Hart was injured.
Defensemen (Stream)
Owen Power, BUF vs. PHI (46% rostered)
Power’s one of those players whose all-round game doesn’t translate well to fantasy. He plays a lot of minutes for the Sabres but he’s barely noticeable on the score sheet most nights. However, his offense has turned a corner lately with a four-game point streak and he’s failed to register a shot just once in 10 games this season. There’s some additional upside with Power playing PP2 but he’s yet to score a point with the man advantage.
