Edmonton Oilers backup Calvin Pickard is a top-tier streaming option whenever he starts.
Sunday, March 3. Six-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Karel Vejmelka, ARI* at Charlie Lindgren, WSH* (1 p.m. ET)
Nico Daws, NJ* at Cam Talbot, LA* (3:30 p.m. ET)
Laurent Brossoit, WPG* at Eric Comrie, BUF (7 p.m. ET)
Kaapo Kähkönen, SJ* at Filip Gustavsson, MIN* (7 p.m. ET)
Casey DeSmith, VAN* at John Gibson, ANA (8 p.m. ET)
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT at Calvin Pickard, EDM* (9 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
(NEW) Casey DeSmith, VAN at ANA (10% rostered)
DeSmith is certainly struggling with a four-game losing streak, including a 10-7 debacle against the Wild, but so have the Canucks. This is a chance to give Thatcher Demko a break and reset, but keep in mind the Ducks have always been better than expected against the Canucks with John Gibson in net. This should be an easy win for the Canucks, and that's still the most likely outcome, but I wouldn't be surprised if Gibson ends up with a better save percentage in this matchup. This is an odd start time at 5 p.m. local time.
Calvin Pickard, EDM vs. PIT (8% rostered)
The Oilers have won three straight and they've dominated this matchup for the past two seasons, going 4-0-0 with a plus-15 goal differential (!). Both teams may be tired since they're playing the second half of a back-to-back, but note the Oilers finished their game earlier on Saturday though they had to fly back across the border from Seattle. Pickard doesn't have to be sharp to win this matchup due to the Oilers' strong goal support, making him one of the safest and best streaming options for Sunday.
Laurent Brossoit, WPG at BUF (20% rostered)
Both teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back, with the Jets securing a comeback win against the Canes and the Sabres blowing out the Knights, 7-2. Brossoit has had some bad luck against the Sabres in his career; despite a career .941 SP and 1.65 GAA, his record is 0-2-1.
I think this game will be tighter than expected, but I like the Jets' chances more with Brossoit in net than the Sabres with their backup, Eric Comrie, who also happens to be a former Jet.
John Gibson, ANA vs. VAN (36% rostered)
Not only is this a weird start time at 5 p.m. local time, the Ducks have won two straight and the Canucks are slumping. Perhaps the new extension for star center Elias Pettersson will help settle them down, and certainly the Canucks are favored, but the Ducks certainly look stronger in this matchup than they normally would. Gibson has been effective against the Canucks throughout his entire career, sporting a 13-5-2, .929 SP and 2.15 GAA against them. I don't mind taking a gamble with this start.
Nico Daws, NJ at LA (21% rostered)
The wild card here is Akira Schmid, who may draw the start after Daws was pulled Friday in Anaheim after he allowed four goals on 14 shots. It was supposed to be an easy game for the Devils, but now they face the toughest team in California that just happens to be playing very well right now.
This is certainly not an ideal matchup and I'd be wary of both Daws and Schmid. Their matchups have historically been very close, but the Kings grinded out a 2-1 win against the Devils in their last meeting on Feb. 15. It's very possible the same will happen if the Kings play their trademark suffocating defense.
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT at EDM (12% rostered)
I find Nedeljkovic to be a risky streamer because he can be so streaky and inconsistent. He allowed five goals in a loss to the Isles in his previous start and faces an elite offense that's dominated the Pens over the past three years. At best, I think Nedeljkovic gets a good save percentage but will find it difficult to win if the Pens can't provide the proper goal support.
Kaapo Kähkönen, SJ at MIN (4% rostered)
Both the Sharks and Wild are playing the second half of a back-to-back, but despite a loss in Dallas, the Sharks should have more momentum coming into this game. They lost only in the sixth round of the shootout, while the Wild have lost three straight and outscored, 12-4. The Wild should definitely be favored, but there's some upset potential here. That being said, I'm not positive Kähkönen can put up a good save percentage to overcome a potential loss. Unless you're desperate for a start or looking for a longshot win, Kähkönen's not a good option.
Eric Comrie, BUF vs. WPG (1% rostered)
The Sabres' 7-2 win against the Knights last night was very impressive, and they'll need another offensive outburst like that to beat the Jets. Comrie's the biggest question mark for the Sabres going into this game; he has not won a game since his first start of the season on Oct. 21, the only game where his save percentage was higher than .900, and it'll just be his second game since getting demoted in December. Interestingly enough, this is the second time Comrie will face the Jets this season after allowing three goals on 18 shots (.833 SP) on Nov. 17.