NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Expected Starters - Friday, Feb. 23

Friday, Feb. 23. Three-game slate. 

* = confirmed or probable

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF* at Daniil Tarasov, CLB* (7 p.m. ET)

Connor Hellebuyck, WPG* at Petr Mrázek, CHI* (8:30 p.m. ET)

Filip Gustavsson, MIN* at Calvin Pickard, EDM* (9 p.m. ET)

Streaming Options

( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)

Calvin Pickard, EDM vs. MIN (8% rostered)

It does scare me a little that the Wild can score and the Oilers have allowed an average of 4.33 goals in their past six games. However, this should be a win for the Oilers, even though historically the Wild have dominated this matchup; since 2019, the Wild are 9-3-0 against the Oilers. Pickard may not put up good stats, but I think the Oilers have a good chance of winning, making Pickard the top streaming option on a light Friday. 

Petr Mrázek, CHI vs. WPG (33% rostered)

Mrázek likely returns to the net after Arvid Söderblom started and lost their previous game. Mrázek's an underrated fantasy goalie because he gets a high volume of starts and sports a decent save percentage despite playing on arguably the league's worst team. That's what you're really hoping for here, especially with the Jets on a role. 

Elvis Merzlikins, CLB vs. BUF (22% rostered)

Going 0-for-2 on shots with a 30.64 GAA has to be one of the worst stat lines ever seen in fantasy hockey. In a 7-4 win against the Ducks, Merzlikins was forced to enter the game after starter Daniil Tarasov was injured, only to have Tarasov return in the third period. 

Not sure if Merzlikins will get the start or if the Jackets will go with Tarasov, who earned the win, but they're definitely the underdog against the Sabres. The two teams have traded wins in their past five matchups, including a nine-goal performance by each team. There just doesn't seem like there's much upside for streaming Merzlikins. 

Editor's note: Tarasov will get the start. Win and you're in, which is good for Tarasov, but the Sabres have the upper hand here.