NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Expected Starters - Thursday, Dec. 21

Thursday, Dec. 21. 12-game slate. 

Ilya Samsonov, TOR* at Devon Levi, BUF* (7 p.m. ET)

Charlie Lindgren, WSH* at Elvis Merzlikins, CLB* (7 p.m. ET)

Joel Hofer, STL* at Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA* (7 p.m. ET)

Juuse Saros, NSH* at Samuel Ersson, PHI* (7 p.m. ET)

Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR* at Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT* (7 p.m. ET)

Jiri Patera, VEG* at Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB* (7 p.m. ET)

Calvin Pickard, EDM* at Akira Schmid, NJ* (7:30 p.m. ET)

Thatcher Demko, VAN* at Scott Wedgewood, DAL* (8 p.m. ET)

Samuel Montembeault, MTL* at Filip Gustavsson, MIN* (8 p.m. ET)

Joonas Korpisalo, OTT at Alexandar Georgiev, COL* (9 p.m. ET)

Jacob Markstrom, CGY at Lukas Dostal, ANA* (10 p.m. ET)

Karel Vejmelka, ARI* at Mackenzie Blackwood, SJ * (10:30 p.m. ET)

Streaming Options

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

Samuel Ersson, PHI vs. NSH (16% rostered)

Ersson has started four straight games for the Flyers and winning three in a row, and I think the Flyers will just roll with the hot hand. It's the first game of a back-to-back, so Ersson will start either this game or the next one in Detroit. This matchup is more favorable for the Flyers, and the Preds are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Canucks. The Flyers have had to grind out wins, but there's a good chance Ersson finishes with at least a low GAA and high save percentage. 

Editor's note: The Flyers are indeed rolling with the hot hand and starting Ersson.

Karel Vejmelka, ARI at SJ (22% rostered)

Vejmelka might draw the start after Connor Ingram was pulled against the Sens, making it three straight appearances for Vejmelka, though Ingram did shut out the Sharks on Dec. 15. The Sharks' offensive surge (and string of wins) has ebbed, and they're now mired in a three-game losing streak after getting outscored 11-3. Either Vejmelka or Ingram should be a good streaming option in this matchup. 

Charlie Lindgren, WSH at CLB (39% rostered)

With the Jackets putting up nine (!) goals against the Sabres in their last game, it does give me some pause because of their red-hot offense. The Caps, however, have been really good at limiting goals, and they've lost to the Jackets just twice since 2021, both of which were one-goal losses. The Caps will be favored in this one, and hopefully the worst that happens is Lindgren getting the win but with a poor save percentage.

Jiri Patera, VEG at TB (2% rostered)

Patera will likely get the start after replacing the injured Logan Thompson on Tuesday against the Canes, and the Knights have already called up Isaiah Saville. Patera wasn't particularly sharp in his first start of the season, a 5-4 win against the Sharks on Dec. 10, and the Lightning definitely have much more offensive talent. What should give fantasy managers should confidence, though, is Vegas' excellent defensive structure, which will give all the help Patera needs to earn the win. I think the Knights have the edge and Patera certainly has a chance to earn a win, but a good save percentage or low goals against would be a bonus.

(NEW) Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT vs. CAR (11% rostered)

Nedeljkovic gets his second straight start following a 4-3 win against the Wild. This is an interesting development; the Pens are not in playoff position and desperately need wins. With Nedeljkovic outplaying Tristan Jarry right now, he's the right choice and he's been excellent against the Canes in the past (3-2-0, .929 SP). However, the Canes have found some stability in net with Pyotr Kochetkov as their undisputed starter (until Frederik Andersen returns in a month), who's won three of his past four starts, including an impressive win against the Knights, 6-3. Nedeljkovic should give you a nice save percentage but note the Pens have lost 10 of their past 12 meetings. 

Elvis Merzlikins, CLB vs. WSH (33% rostered)

It's tough to guess who the Jackets will start in net. Daniil Tarasov has started two straight games and allowed nine goals. Spencer Martin hasn't played since Dec. 7 when he allowed seven goals. No matter who draws the start, however, it's likely they'll get scored on more than a few times, and the Jackets have relied on their offense to win games. Even against a low-event Caps offense, it's advisable to just stay away from this matchup.

Scott Wedgewood, DAL vs. VAN (33% rostered)

Wedgewood takes over as the starter for the injured Jake Oettinger and certainly worth stashing and holding while Oettinger is injured. Wedgewood's two starts have been decent, allowing seven goals in two games and earning one win, though the Stars' defense has been a little porous. I'd be wary of this matchup; not only is the Canucks' offense elite, they have also won seven straight games against the Stars. 

Mackenzie Blackwood, SJ vs. ARI (12% rostered)

Do the Sharks have a chance? Certainly. Is it high? Not particularly. It's Blackwood's turn in the rotation and he hasn't been as sharp as he was earlier in the season, and it's been a while since he put up a 30-plus save performance. Their last meeting on Dec. 15 was a 1-0 barn burner (that's sarcasm) and though this game may feature more goals, the edge still goes to the Yotes. 

Samuel Montembeault, MTL at MIN (26% rostered)

Montembeault can put up a good save percentage but it's going to be hard earning the win. The Wild are 8-3-0 under John Hynes and even without the injured Mats Zuccarello have enough talent and depth to overwhelm the Habs. The Wild have  dominated the all-time series for nearly a decade, going 15-2-0 since 2014. 

Lukas Dostal, ANA vs. CGY (6% rostered)

Dostal likely draws the start after John Gibson took a leave of absence from the team to attend to the birth of his child. Calle Clang was called up and he'll likely back up Dostal, who will start for the second straight game after winning against the Red Wings. Dostal's performances have been so volatile this season that I'd be wary of this matchup, even if the Flames' road record (5-8-4) has not been good. Dostal will have to compete against Jacob Markstrom at the other end of the ice, who was excellent in a win against the Panthers in his last start.

(NEW) Akira Schmid, NJ vs. EDM (30% rostered)

Considering Schmid's 3.12 GAA and sub-.900 save percentage, this is not an ideal matchup against Connor McDavid and company. While this could be a close, low-scoring affair, I find it highly unlikely.

Calvin Pickard, EDM at NJ (2% rostered)

Only the bravest of souls will stream Pickard. The new coaching bump seems to have worn off a little and the Oilers are allowing goals at an alarming rate yet again with 15 in their past three games. The Devils offense is to be feared, and while the Oilers certainly have the offensive firepower to earn the win, it's unlikely Pickard's numbers will be any good.