Can the Maple Leafs trust Martin Jones?
Thursday, Feb. 22. 11-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA* at Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR* (7 p.m. ET)
Justus Annunen, COL* at Alex Lyon, DET* (7 p.m. ET)
Igor Shesterkin, NYR* at Nico Daws, NJ (7 p.m. ET)
Jake Oettinger, DAL* at Anton Forsberg, OTT* (7 p.m. ET)
Cayden Primeau, MTL* at Tristan Jarry, PIT* (7 p.m. ET)
Charlie Lindgren, WSH* at Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB* (7 p.m. ET)
Semyon Varlamov, NYI* at Jordan Binnington, STL* (8 p.m. ET)
Linus Ullmark, BOS* at Jacob Markström, CGY* (9 p.m. ET)
Thatcher Demko, VAN* at Philipp Grubauer, SEA* (10 p.m. ET)
Martin Jones, TOR* at Adin Hill, VEG* (10 p.m. ET)
Juuse Saros, NSH* at David Rittich, LA* (10:30 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
(NEW) David Rittich, LA vs. NSH (29% rostered)
I thought the Kings would go with Cam Talbot here, but it looks like they might split the starts with Saturday's game against the Ducks and then a back-to-back early next week on Monday-Tuesday. Regardless, I like this matchup for Rittich, and a good start will give him the upper hand in this goalie battle. The Kings have turned a corner with four straight wins and six of their past seven while the Preds are trying to find ways to score.
Martin Jones, TOR at VEG (28% rostered)
Jones has not been good lately. Let's face it; that 9-2 win against the Ducks was not a challenge. After his little hot streak from Jan. 2-9 when he won four straight games, Jones had just one other game (Jan. 16 vs. Oilers) where his save percentage was over .900. While the Knights are stumbling a little bit, this is a tough matchup between two really good teams, and note Shea Theodore is back in the lineup to help give their power play a boost.
(NEW) Justus Annunen, COL at DET (1% rostered)
A little surprised the Avs are going with Annunen here, but Alexandar Georgiev has certainly played a lot. With a 4.08 GAA and .888 SP, I don't have much confidence in Annunen, especially with the Wings playing so well in 2024, ranking in the top-five in points percentage. The Wings are not short on offensive firepower, and I get the feeling that even if the Avs pull off the win, it's going to be a high-scoring game. I'd pass on Annunen unless you're looking for a win.
(NEW) Philipp Grubauer, SEA vs. VAN (13% rostered)
Grubauer was excellent in his previous start against the Isles, with only one goal allowed on 27 shots, and this is another big challenge. This the last stop on the Canucks' road trip and their third game in four nights, so the ice certainly tilts in the Kraken's favor. However, note the Canucks have historically held the edge in this matchup with a 7-3-0 record all-time. Even if Grubauer gets the win, I think he's going to allow at least a few goals against an elite Canucks offense.
Cayden Primeau, MTL at PIT (7% rostered)
It'll be either Primeau or Jake Allen starting this game, and with Allen coming off a loss and Primeau not having seen any action since his 13-save shutout against the Ducks on Feb. 13, I think it's time we see Primeau. The Pens have had trouble winning games but it's still a tough matchup for the Habs, a team that Sidney Crosby has traditionally eviscerated. While Primeau has been surprisingly effective this season, he's still not a desirable streamer because the Habs are underdogs. You're hoping for a good save percentage, and that might be it.
(NEW) Anton Forsberg, OTT vs. DAL (5% rostered)
Certainly not a bad idea with Joonas Korpisalo coming off a loss and Forsberg going for his third straight win. Maybe Forsberg gets a good save percentage here, but note he's 0-2-2 with a .883 SP in his career against the Stars. The Sens can be such an unreliable bunch that I'd be wary of this start.
Nico Daws, NJ vs. NYR (23% rostered)
Considering how poor the Devils looked in a 6-3 loss to the Caps, and how good the Rangers have been lately, I'd sit this one out. His career numbers aren't good against the Rangers -- .881 SP and 3.38 GAA -- and I think if the Devils win this matchup, it's most likely a high-scoring affair with both team's elite players scoring a bunch of points.