With 12 games on the slate, the early action starts at 1 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on Saturday's best waiver wire adds.
Expected Starters
(ranked by matchup)
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. WSH (39% rostered)
Are we seeing a timeshare with Ilya Sorokin?! After Sorokin started five of the first six games of the season, we’ve essentially seen a split rotation for the past few weeks. Sorokin is struggling – for his standards, anyway – and following a 5-2 lost to Boston on Thursday, it’s Varlamov’s turn to start. He’ll face the punch-less Caps, who are playing the second game of a back-to-back and rank 31st in GF/GP with no immediate means of help beyond switching between Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dylan Strome on Alex Ovechkin’s line. Varlamov has been brilliant, allowing just seven goals in four games with two shutouts, one of which was against the Caps in D.C. last Thursday.
Connor Ingram, ARI at NSH (18% rostered)
Based on the rotation, Ingram’s going to get the start. He’s outplayed Karel Vejmelka so far this season and this is a good matchup. The Coyotes hold the edge in just about every position and category except in net, but even Juuse Saros has been struggling with 12 goals allowed in his past three starts. As long as the Yotes can put up a few goals – and they certainly can – they should get the win.
Dustin Wolf, CGY at OTT (9% rostered)
The fact that Wolf is already close to 10 percent rostered says a lot about what people think of him and the Flames’ current goaltending. With Jacob Markstrom’s status uncertain, Wolf may draw the start against the Sens after Dan Vladar faced the Leafs on Friday night. Wolf is a brilliant young goalie who has won goalie of the year awards in the AHL and WHL twice in each league, and in his only other career start stopped 23 of 24 shots against the Sharks last season.
Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR at TB (28% rostered)
This is a pivotal start for Kochetkov, who allowed 11 goals in his previous three appearances earlier this season and now gets a chance to force a timeshare with Antti Raanta. Kochetkov has tons of potential but, in reality, he’s been incredibly streaky and Jaroslav Halak is on a tryout to provide a little extra competition. Kochetkov has faced the Lightning two times in his career, losing both times with an ugly .860 SP and 3.09 GAA. I’d roster Kochetkov but be very wary of this start based on past history and the fact that the Canes are playing back-to-back.
Magnus Hellberg, PIT vs. BUF (7% rostered)
He’s been better than expected, that’s for sure. If Tristan Jarry isn’t ready, Hellberg will get his second straight start. He looked solid against the Kings in an overtime win and the Sabres should be an easier matchup. The Sabres played Friday night at home – which means they’ll be travelling – and they’ve lost their two most recent meetings against the Pens.
Forwards (Add/Hold)
Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW, COL vs. STL (46% rostered)
Nichushkin started off hot then really cooled off, and now he’s got the hot hand again with a point in consecutive games. The Blues are allowing 32 shots per game, 10th-most in the league, and against the dangerous Avs, that number will likely skew higher. Artturi Lehkonen’s status is uncertain, and in a lineup shuffle, we could see Nichushkin play on the same line as Nathan MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen, which would obviously provide him with a boost in fantasy value.
Nick Schmaltz, C/RW, ARI at NSH (37% rostered)
Schmaltz continues to score at a point-per-game pace like it’s nothing. He’s assisted on three goals in his past two games and boasts pretty good numbers against the Preds with 13 points in 14 career games.
Jaden Schwartz, C/LW, SEA vs. EDM (37% rostered)
Schmaltz and Schwartz are regulars in this space now, and this is a great matchup against perhaps the most mentally fragile team in the league. The Oilers are on the verge of really breaking, if they haven’t already, and Schwartz gets a good chance to extend his points streak to nine games.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, CAR at TB (35% rostered)
Kotkaniemi continues his slow and steady climb up the fantasy rankings and he’s been very effective averaging almost a point per game this season. Tampa’s depth is a concern, and that’s where the Canes have the edge, which also means Kotkaniemi won’t draw the hardest matchups, paving the way for him to score.
Robert Thomas, C, STL at COL (26% rostered)
The Blues aren’t a hip or trendy team anymore, but Thomas’ play is certainly trending in the right direction. He’s scored a goal in five (!) straight games, and for a guy who normally prefers to pass than shoot, it’s quite a sight to see. He’s one of the few Blues forwards who has been productive and should at least reach 60 or 70 points this season.
Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, WSH at NYI (20% rostered)
Kuznetsov responded with a goal after being promoted back to the top line with Alex Ovechkin. It’s been a quiet season for the Caps offense overall, but the upside is Kuznetsov’s playing with their most dangerous scoring threat.
Forwards (Stream)
Alex Iafallo, LW/RW, WPG vs. DAL (17% rostered)
Iafallo has caught fire lately, scoring eight points in his past four games, including a four-assist effort against the Blues. It’s about time he’s scored; he’s been playing on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor but had little to show for it. Iafallo also just gained dual-winger eligibility for added flexibility, and even if Iafallo is quiet on offense, he’s been quite the shot blocker this season.
Ilya Mikheyev, LW/RW, VAN at TOR (15% rostered)
Mikheyev scored two goals against the Sens and the Leafs are playing the second half of a back-to-back. Mikheyev’s offense has been fantastic because the Canucks offense might be the best in the league, and playing with top scorer Elias Pettersson certainly helps. This will be just Mikheyev’s second career game against his former team and it’ll certainly go better than last time (zero points, minus-2).
Cole Perfetti, C, WPG vs. DAL (5% rostered)
Perfetti’s goal in his second straight game also extended his points streak to five games. He’s gotten much better as the season goes on and might be even worth holding. Perfetti should have LW eligibility playing on L2 opposite Nik Ehlers.
Kirill Marchenko, RW, CLB at DET (5% rostered)
It looks like being healthy scratch did Marchenko some good. After sitting out two games on Oct. 28 and 30, Marchenko returned to the lineup and promptly put together a four-game point streak, including three goals. Marchenko is playing L2 and PP2 with Adam Fantilli.
Connor Zary, C, CGY at OTT (2% rostered)
With a goal against the Leafs on Friday, Zary has now scored a point in every game he’s played in. On a per game basis, Zary’s been one of the Flames’ best players. The Sens defense has been particularly porous and allowed five goals against the Canucks on Thursday, putting Zary and red-hot linemate Nazem Kadri on a good path to score a few points.
Jack Roslovic, C, CLB at DET (2% rostered)
Roslovic has an assist in two straight games and continues to play on the top line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau. He’s not a high-ceiling offensive player, but what Roslovic lacks in quality he makes up for in quantity averaging close to 17 minutes per game. He’s historically been quite good against the Wings, scoring 11 points in 17 games.
Defensemen (Add/Hold)
Matt Roy, LA vs. PHI (18% rostered)
The Kings ‘D’ isn’t known for generating offense but Roy has done his part with five helpers on the season. It’s nothing to write home about, but it is noteworthy because it gives Roy a big value boost in banger leagues. He’s a consistent shot blocker and hitter, and the points make him absolutely worth rostering in 12 or 14-team leagues.
Defensemen (Stream)
Mason Lohrei, BOS at MTL (1% rostered)
In a short amount of time, Lohrei has actually proven to be a valuable fantasy asset. He’s scored two points in four games but also established a high floor with eight shots, three hits and five blocks. The Bruins will likely dominate puck possession, which means Lohrei might not get as many hits or blocks, but as far as streaming young defensemen goes, he seems like a safe choice.
