Potential Vezina finalists Connor Hellebuyck and Thatcher Demko are set to face each other in a key Western Conference clash between the Jets and Canucks.
Saturday, March 9. 13-game slate.
Stuart Skinner, EDM* at Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF* (12:30 p.m. ET)
Kevin Lankinen, NSH* at Daniil Tarasov, CLB* (12:30 p.m. ET)
Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR* at Nico Daws, NJ* (12:30 p.m. ET)
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT* at Linus Ullmark, BOS (3 p.m. ET)
Jacob Markström, CGY at Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA (4 p.m. ET)
Ilya Samsonov, TOR* at Samuel Montembeault, MTL* (7 p.m. ET)
Anton Forsberg, OTT at Magnus Chrona, SJ (7 p.m. ET)
Samuel Ersson, PHI* at Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB* (7 p.m. ET)
Petr Mrázek, CHI at Charlie Lindgren, WSH (7 p.m. ET)
Jordan Binnington, STL at Igor Shesterkin, NYR* (7:30 p.m. ET)
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG* at Thatcher Demko, VAN* (10 p.m. ET)
James Reimer, DET* at Logan Thompson, VEG (10 p.m. ET)
Scott Wedgewood, DAL at Cam Talbot, LA (10:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Charlie Lindgren, WSH vs. CHI (31% rostered)
Look for Lindgren to get his fourth straight start with Darcy Kuemper injured, and Lindgren is coming off a 39-save shutout against the Pens. This is a great matchup against the lottery-bound Hawks and the top streaming option for Saturday.
Anton Forsberg, OTT at SJ (6% rostered)
Both Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo are healthy, and either are good options against the Sharks as the Sens look to snap their six-game losing streak. The Sharks traded away a few players and their offense will take a hit without Anthony Duclair, and if the Sens can't win this game, they might as well give up on the rest of the season.
Scott Wedgewood, DAL at LA (12% rostered)
The Kings always make it tough to score, which means Wedgewood may not get the goal support he needs to win. He still hasn't won a game since Jan. 20, though the Stars are on a four-game winning streak. Perhaps the tide will turn in Wedgewood's favor, but I'm not expecting a particularly strong performance. If you're looking for saves and a good save percentage, I don't think Wedgewood is a good option.
Elvis Merzļikins, CLB vs. NSH (21% rostered)
Look for Merzļikins to get the start after backing up Daniil Tarasov against the Oilers, though Tarasov deserves another start based on his performance. With the Preds adding players and the Jackets shipping them out at the deadline, the Preds definitely have the advantage here. Merzļikins might offer up a good save percentage but it has been three games since his last start.
Editor's note: Tarasov gets the start. Move him up ahead of Wedgewood.
James Reimer, DET at VEG (7% rostered)
The Wings are coming off a pitiful 4-0 loss to the Coyotes, and while they'll likely put in a better effort against the Knights, this is also a beefed-up Knights squad with Anthony Mantha and Noah Hanifin. Reimer has been quite good lately, and the Knights struggling a little bit, but the Knights definitely have the advantage.
Petr Mrázek, CHI at WSH (30% rostered)
Certainly there's potential for an upset, but Mrázek is not playing well at the moment. He's the type of player who can get hot and steal a game, but he hasn't won a game in five starts and he's allowed 21 goals.
Kaapo Kähkönen, NJ vs. CAR (6% rostered)
Jake Allen is dealing with visa issue so it's unlikely he'll join the team in time, which means Kähkönen probably gets the start. (Why start Nico Daws when you traded for two goalies to replace him, anyway). But, goodness, this is a tough start for your Devils debut, though thankfully the Canes are not expected to have Jake Guentzel in the lineup. Given the Canes' structure, discipline and consistency, I don't think Kähkönen is gonna be a worthwhile streaming option in this spot. This is also a weird 9:30 a.m. PT start for Kähkönen, who will have to adjust to the Eastern time zone.
Editor's note: Kähkönen will not arrive in time for the game, which means Daws will start with Akira Schmid as the backup. Stay away from Devils goalies until further notice.
Magnus Chrona, SJ vs. OTT (1% rostered)
Both Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood were injured, which means Chrona likely gets his fourth start of the season, unless the Sharks want to start prospect Devin Cooley, who was just acquired from the Sabres. Seeing how Chrona allowed seven goals and the Sharks likely can't provide any goal support, this is an easy pass.