As Thanksgiving weekend winds down, it's an early start for Sunday with Wild at Red Wings at 1 p.m. ET and Blues at Blackhawks at 2 p.m. ET. Check out your recommendations for Sunday's games.
Expected Starters
(ranked by matchup)
Alex Lyon, DET vs. MIN (4% rostered)
This will be Lyon’s third start in four games dating back to the Global Series, and it's a little crazy to think he never would've gotten this chance had Ville Husso not stayed behind in Detroit for the birth of his child. I was a little surprised the Wings didn’t go back to Lyon immediately following his 16-save shutout against the Devils for Friday’s game against the Bruins, but this matchup is even better, and it also doesn’t quell any talk about a goalie controversy. Lyon’s worth a speculative add if you need a goalie because, this time next week, he just might be their No. 1.
Arvid Soderblom, CHI vs. STL (2% rostered)
We shall see if Soderblom gets the start. If he does, it’ll be his second straight start, the first time he’s done so this season. Petr Mrazek’s only started consecutive games twice this season, so we’ll see if their rotation changes at all. However, admittedly, the Hawks’ goalies are a low-upside option. Even though the Blues struggle defensively, the Hawks’ best change is to win a high-scoring game. That’s not good for either Soderblom or Mrazek’s fantasy outlook.
Elvis Merzlikins, CLB at CAR (25% rostered)
The thing with the Canes is that they’re never bad for very long, even if they’re coming off an 8-2 loss. That puts the Jackets in a tough spot for what should be a more disciplined and fired-up Canes squad, even though Merzlikins has been solid in his past two outings with four goals allowed on 74 shots (.946 SP).
Forwards (Add/Hold)
Ryan O’Reilly, C, NSH vs. WPG (49% rostered)
O’Reilly had a hot start to the season, was picked up in a bunch of leagues and then subsequently dropped by the masses. Fantasy managers tend to be fickle and impatient, but note O’Reilly’s on a six-game points streak, and with Cody Glass and Tommy Novak injured, the Preds have literally no other options at center. O’Reilly will get a ton of minutes and linemate Filip Forsberg’s having a great season.
Cole Perfetti, C, WPG at NSH (21% rostered)
Perfetti has scored a point in all but two games since Oct. 24, and note linemate Vladislav Namestnikov has benefitted from Perfetti’s play with a six-game points streak. Perfetti’s upside is way higher than Namestnikov, whose scoring spike is far more surprising since he’s typically used in the bottom six. With the Preds lacking quality depth and not getting strong goaltending from Juuse Saros, Perfetti’s worth streaming in this matchup.
Gabe Vilardi, C/RW, WPG at NSH (13% rostered)
Vilardi is practicing in a regular jersey and there's a chance he returns to the lineup with the Preds playing the last game of their three-game roadie. Prior to his injury, Vilardi was skating on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor and excelling in that role. If Vilardi returns, if he's not being eased back into the lineup, look for him to return to his spot on the top line and likely bumping Alex Iafallo down to the third line. Vilardi is coming off a breakout campaign with the Kings last season and grades very high analytically with his ability to generate scoring chances. He's worth a speculative add in deep leagues.
Marco Rossi, C, MIN at DET (5% rostered)
I’m still a Rossi believer, even if his production comes and goes. Right now, it’s coming with a four-game point streak, and with Matt Boldy struggling, the Wild’s top line centered by Rossi has really been their only dependable scoring line.
Philipp Kurashev, C, CHI vs. STL (4% rostered)
If you streamed Kurashev, it’s worth holding him for a little longer. An assist Friday against the Leafs extended Kurashev’s points streak to five games, and as long as he’s playing on Connor Bedard’s right wing, the points should continue to flow. In leagues that emphasize scoring, Kurashev’s a sneaky-good asset.
Forwards (Stream)
J.T. Compher, LW/RW, DET vs. MIN (20% rostered)
Feel free to add ‘C’ position to Compher if your league will allow it because it’s really become a travesty he’s not listed as a center in Yahoo. Compher’s a streaky scorer but with Alex DeBrincat on his wing, his offensive upside has increased, not to mention he’s on a heater right now with 12 points in 10 games. The Wild’s goaltending woes have been well-documented this season.
Gustav Nyquist, LW, NSH vs. WPG (6% rostered)
This has totally flown under the radar, but Nyquist is on a seven-game points streak playing with Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg. Nyquist is obviously the third wheel but fantasy managers should take advantage of his situation. Of course, when and if Nyquist is taken off this line, he loses basically all of his fantasy value. But, until then, Nyquist should be worth streaming.
Joe Veleno, C, DET vs. MIN (0% rostered)
If you need a forward in a pinch in a deep league, Veleno’s an option. He’s been promoted to L1 after Dylan Larkin and DeBrincat were separated, and he joined PP2 following Jake Walman’s absence. Walman is not expected to play Sunday, so look for Veleno to play more minutes than usual against a team that’s been awful defensively.
Defensemen
Kevin Korchinski, CHI vs. STL (2% rostered)
Korchinski scored his second goal of the season Friday against the Leafs and also played a season-high 22:48 after taking over for Seth Jones on PP1. If the Hawks’ focus is on the future, Korchinski’s the one they should prioritize since Jones has accomplished little since signing that big contract, and relative to the amount of ice time he gets, offers very little in fantasy. Korchinski’s boom-or-bust but he’s definitely trending up right now.
