It's a buffet of streaming options in net with New Jersey's Nico Daws, Washington's Hunter Shepard, and Toronto's Dennis Hildeby.
Wednesday, Jan. 3. Two-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Nico Daws, NJ at Hunter Shepard, WSH (7:30 p.m. ET)
Dennis Hildeby, TOR at John Gibson, ANA (9 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Dennis Hildeby, TOR at ANA (11% rostered)
Not many people had even heard of Hildeby prior to the season, and now there's a lot of anticipation of his NHL debut. He's already rostered in more leagues than Jake Allen (9%) and James Reimer (8%), even though neither of them are in a position to potentially take over the starting job for their respective teams... just kidding, we need to pump the brakes a little bit.
A fourth-round pick from 2022 — his last year of draft eligibility — Hildeby is your prototypical modern-day goalie with his 6-foot-7 frame, and he's been very good in the AHL this season (.919 SP, 2.20 GAA). Let's face it, though; he was called up due to his strong play and because the Leafs are desperate. However, this is a great matchup in a series the Leafs have historically dominated, including a 7-0 victory in their previous meeting. With as many as two rookies (Shepard is too old) starting on Wednesday, Hildeby is the surest bet.
Dec 29, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils goalie Nico Daws (50) makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris (9) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre.Nico Daws, NJ at WSH (7% rostered)
With Daws winning his season debut against the Sens, 6-2, and Vitek Vanecek losing to the Bruins, the situation is ripe for another start for Daws. The Caps' offense has not been good, scoring more than two goals just once in their past four games (1-2-2). Daws, on the other hand, has the benefit of having one of the league's best offenses providing support. I'd be willing to roll the dice on Daws in this matchup, and if it goes well, I might even stash Daws just to see if he has a chance at winning the starting job.
Hunter Shepard, WSH vs. NJ (2% rostered)
With Darcy Kuemper starting and winning against the Pens on Tuesday, Shepard should get his second start in three games. He's certainly earned it; despite being tagged with the loss in his previous start, he managed to stop 34 of 36 shots (.944 SP). This matchup will be tougher given the Devils' excellent offense and the Caps are playing the second half of a back-to-back against a team that has had three days' rest.
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