It's a pivotal game for the Maple Leafs as they potentially turn to Ilya Samsonov to prevent them from falling further in the wild-card race.
Sunday, Jan. 21. Six-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Mads Sogaard, OTT at Samuel Ersson, PHI (1 p.m. ET)
Filip Gustavsson, MIN at Antti Raanta, CAR (5 p.m. ET)
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at Alex Lyon, DET (7 p.m. ET)
Jake Oettinger, DAL* at Ilya Sorokin, NYI (7:30 p.m. ET)
Igor Shesterkin, NYR* at Lukas Dostal, ANA* (8:30 p.m. ET)
Ilya Samsonov, TOR at Joey Daccord, SEA (9 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
Samuel Ersson, PHI vs. OTT (40% rostered)
Ersson came in relief for Carter Hart in a 7-4 blowout loss to the Avs, but he's expected to start. This is a good matchup for Ersson, who's played well all season. He gets a good matchup against a team that continues to struggle despite a coaching change, and both teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back, though the Flyers have the home advantage.
This will be Ersson's first ever appearance against the Flyers, but I like his chances and a good start following a game in which Hart was pulled will solidify his case to be the No. 1 going forward.
Ilya SamsonovIlya Samsonov, TOR at SEA (33% rostered)
I'm a little surprised Samsonov is already rostered in one-third of Yahoo leagues because Martin Jones is still ahead on the depth chart, and upon Joseph Woll's return, that means Samsonov's the third option.
That being said, this is an interesting spot for Samsonov. The Leafs came out flat and lost to the Canucks on Saturday, and they've now lost five of their past six with Jones in net for four of those games. If Samsonov has a good start here, should the Leafs roll with him? There's a home-and-home series against the Jets following their matchup against the Kraken, and it'll be pivotal since there are five teams within four points of the Leafs in the East's wild-card race. (The Wings and Lightning are playing each other, by the way
I'm basically saying this Sunday game feels pivotal to the Leafs' season. The Kraken have the advantage as the most well-rested team, though it's starting one earlier than usual local time. I'm not confident in Samsonov, but the Kraken are suddenly struggling with a three-game losing streak and I think the Leafs will have a much better start than they did against the Canucks. If your fantasy team already has a good cushion in goaltending categories, or if you're looking for a desperation start to win your week, then I think Samsonov's actually a good option.
Lukas Dostal, ANA vs. NYR (8% rostered)
Dostal has the benefit of playing on home ice, but that's about it. The Rangers have lost six of their past eight, including two straight road games, but the Ducks seem like as good an opponent as any to stop their recent skid.
Note the Rangers have lost just three times in regulation in their past 17 matchups against the Ducks since 2015, but all three losses have come in Anaheim. However, with both teams having played the night before, the Ducks having trouble providing goal support and the Rangers likely starter their No. 1 against the Ducks' backup, I think the Rangers should be the heavy favorite. Is there some upset potential? Yes, but I think it's very small.
Mads Sogaard, OTT at PHI (2% rostered)
This will be Sogaard's second start of the season and it should prove easier than his season debut against the Avs when the Sens blew a 4-2 lead to lose 7-4 to the Avs. (Interestingly enough, the Flyers are also coming off a 7-4 loss to the Avs).
This game is going to be a tough slog; it's an early matinee with both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back, but I trust Philly's ability to put forth a strong effort far more than the Sens'. This will either be a low-scoring game with Sogaard providing a decent save percentage or the Sens are going to lose pretty convincingly. Neither scenario provides enough upside to start Sogaard unless you're desperate for a start.