The Oilers try to move within two points of the Canucks before clashing on Saturday to potentially determine the winner of the Pacific Division.
Friday, April 12. Five-game slate.
* = confirmed
Frederik Andersen, CAR at Jordan Binnington, STL* (8 p.m. ET)
Kevin Lankinen, NSH* at Arvid Soderblom, CHI* (8:30 p.m. ET)
Karel Vejmelka, ARI at Calvin Pickard, EDM* (9 p.m. ET)
Dustin Wolf, CGY at John Gibson, ANA* (10 p.m. ET)
Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN* at Logan Thompson, VEG* (10 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
Kevin Lankinen, NSH at CHI (4% rostered)
With a back-to-back coming up, I think the Preds give Juuse Saros one more day's rest and start him Saturday against the Jackets, allowing Lankinen to face his former team. The magic pixie dust has mostly been shaken off with the Preds losing five of their past seven. That being said, this should be an easy matchup. The Preds are 23-8-4 (.714 P%) with 2.26 goals against per game against the Hawks since 2016-17.
Calvin Pickard, EDM vs. ARI (19% rostered)
Pickard will be getting his second start in three games and the first of the Oilers' back-to-back before they face the Canucks on Saturday. I usually like all of Pickard's matchups, but things are different without Connor McDavid. The Oilers have done just fine lately, winning three straight and playing some pretty solid defense. The Coyotes' offense has some elite talent, so I don't expect Pickard to shut them out, but a win and a decent save percentage is very attainable.
Dustin Wolf, CGY at ANA (9% rostered)
This will be the Flames' third road game in four nights, so fatigue will be a factor. I like Wolf, however, because there's upside. He's a young goalie capable of some pretty strong performances, and the Ducks continually get outshot all the time. Past history says this is game will feature quite a few goals, and it might be a high-scoring affair.
As for the result; flip a coin? There are good reasons to start either Wolf or Lukas Dostal, but I still like the Flames' chances a little more to win.
Lukas Dostal, ANA vs. CGY (13% rostered)
Dostal can steal the occasional game, and it could happen here. He'll be facing a tired Flames squad while the Ducks had a two-day break following a 3-1 win against the rival Kings at home. In their previous meeting on April 2, the Dostal allowed three goals on 24 shots and needed a three-goal third period from his offense to win, 5-3.
This matchup feels like a coin toss but it's likely Dostal faces more shots (and makes more saves) and ends up with a better save percentage than Wolf, but gets tagged with the loss anyway.
Editor's note: John Gibson has recovered from his injury and he will get the start tonight.
Arvid Soderblom, CHI vs. NSH (3% rostered)
Soderblom should be making his third straight appearance after starting Sunday against the Wild in a 4-0 loss, and then relieving Petr Mrazek on Wednesday against the Blues. Soderblom's capable of putting in really great performances sometimes, but I'm not sure the Hawks can provide good goal support, and past history says the Preds usually dominate this matchup.
Karel Vejmelka, ARI at EDM (21% rostered)
Even with the Oilers sans McDavid, it's hard to see the point in streaming Vejmelka. He hasn't played well with three straight starts with a save percentage .833 or lower, and his career numbers against the Oilers are tear-inducing: 0-3-0, .842 SP, 5.72 GAA. Sure, cold streaks get snapped and the Coyotes have a pretty decent offense and, yes, not having McDavid does make the Oilers weaker overall, but the risk of a blowout loss is certainly present.