Casey DeSmith will likely start his seventh straight game and continue to hold the fort after the Canucks placed Thatcher Demko on LTIR on Wednesday.
Thursday, March 27. 14-game slate.
* = confirmed
Semyon Varlamov, NYI* at Anthony Stolarz, FLA* (7 p.m. ET)
Samuel Ersson, PHI* at Cayden Primeau, MTL* (7 p.m. ET)
Daniil Tarasov, CLB* at Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT* (7 p.m. ET)
Charlie Lindgren, WSH* at Joseph Woll, TOR* (7 p.m. ET)
Petr Mrázek, CHI* at Anton Forsberg, OTT* (7 p.m. ET)
James Reimer, DET* at Frederik Andersen, CAR (7:30 p.m. ET)
Mackenzie Blackwood, SJ* at Filip Gustavsson, MIN* (8 p.m. ET)
Dustin Wolf, CGY* at Jordan Binnington, STL* (8 p.m. ET)
Logan Thompson, VEG* at Connor Hellebuyck, WPG* (8 p.m. ET)
Igor Shesterkin, NYR* at Alexandar Georgiev, COL* (9 p.m. ET)
Cam Talbot, LA* at Stuart Skinner, EDM* (9 p.m. ET)
Juuse Saros, NSH at Connor Ingram, ARI* (10 p.m. ET)
Lukáš Dostál, ANA at Philipp Grubauer, SEA* (10 p.m. ET)
Jake Oettinger, DAL at Casey DeSmith, VAN* (10 p.m. ET)
Streaming Options
(ranked by matchup)
Joey Daccord, SEA vs. ANA (51% rostered)
Either Daccord or Philipp Grubauer would do just fine in this matchup, though I expect the Ducks will come out with a better effort after putting just 12 shots on net. The issue with facing a weaker opponent is that Daccord's save percentage can take a hit even if he keeps the goals allowed to a minimum because it's possible he faces less than 25 shots. If you're looking for a win, however, this is a good streaming option.
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT vs. CLB (9% rostered)
After a very strong 38-save performance in a 4-1 win against the Canes, Nedeljkovic earns his third straight start. I suspect he'll get the win; past history in this matchup indicates the Pens will likely win.
The drawback will be the style of play. Historically, they've been either close or high-scoring games, and sometimes both. Given how Nedeljkovic has played, I wouldn't worry too much. Start Nedeljkovic if you need a win.
Anthony Stolarz, FLA vs. NYI (25% rostered)
This will be Stolarz's second start in three games for the Panthers, who are giving Sergei Bobrovsky a break. Though the Panthers have lost five of their past six, they still have the edge in this matchup, and it's not like the Isles are setting the world on fire with their play.
Though I'm a little fearful of the Isles' offense, I still like the Panthers' chances in this one. Stolarz has arguably been the best backup in the league.
Samuel Ersson, PHI at MTL (41% rostered)
The Flyers have won just twice over the past two weeks, but they faced an intimidating gauntlet and a number of those games have been really close. The Habs will be a nice change of pace, but they've also played very well in their past two games. I expect a very close matchup -- five of their past seven matchups have either gone to extra time or decided by just one goal -- with both goalies turning in strong performances.
I like the Flyers' lineup a little better, which gives Ersson the slight edge in fantasy value.
Samuel Montembeault, MTL vs. PHI (21% rostered)
Montembeault was excellent in his last start against the Avs, allowing just one goal. He's been excellent at home all season with a .920 SP, and based on the two teams' recent matchups, expect a close battle. The result will likely be a coin flip, but I suspect both goalies will turn in fine performances. Montembeault is worth streaming if you're looking for saves -- the Flyers have been outshooting their opponents on a regular basis -- and a good save percentage.
Editor's note: Cayden Primeau gets the start. I'm a little less enamored by Primeau and would still give the edge to the Flyers.
Casey DeSmith, VAN vs. DAL (47% rostered)
The Canucks placed Thatcher Demko on LTIR, which means he won't return before April 6, so if you're looking for a starter in the medium to longer term, DeSmith is your guy. He's generally been really good filling in for Demko, and the Canucks are coming off a two-day break while the Stars are in the midst of their road trip.
Though the Stars carry a five-game winning streak into Vancouver, the Canucks have dominated the matchup over the past five years, going 7-0-1 with a few high-scoring games. DeSmith doesn't always post the best numbers, but he's a feasible option if you're looking for a win.
Dustin Wolf, CGY at STL (8% rostered)
It'll be interesting to see if Wolf does get the start in this spot. Wolf and Jacob Markström have alternated starts over the past four games, which has coincided with the Flames' four-game losing streak that has essentially sunk their playoff hopes.
With little to play for, I think the Flames might go with a rotation to finish the season. It'll save Markström from potential injury, especially if they're dealing him in the offseason, and also give Wolf a look. Wolf's performances can still be erratic -- like any other young goalie -- but the potential is quite high. If you're willing to roll the dice, Wolf is a good option in this matchup against a mediocre Blues offense.
Joseph Woll, TOR vs. WSH (54% rostered)
The Leafs were not good in their last game and after a public tongue lashing by Sheldon Keefe, they should bounce back stronger. This will be Woll's third straight start with Ilya Samsonov unavailable, and he's generally been very good in net.
However, the Caps have been excellent lately and they're scoring a lot of goals. I can see this being a very high-scoring game even if the Leafs pull out a win. For that reason, I'm hesitant to start Woll in this matchup. The Leafs may be without two of their regular 'D' in Morgan Rielly and Joel Edmundson.
Charlie Lindgren, WSH at TOR (56% rostered)
I just like the Leafs' chances of winning slightly more, being on home ice and ready to bounce back from a bad game. The Caps have been wary of starting Lindgren too much because he's never had a workload quite like this before, and this will be his eighth straight appearance. He allowed seven goals on 29 shots in his previous start against the Leafs. I don't think a blowout loss will happen, but both teams feature enough elite offensive talent that I'd be wary of starting Lindgren.
James Reimer, DET at CAR (9% rostered)
The Wings are changing it up with two consecutive one-goal losses, and this is Reimer's chance to steal the net from Alex Lyon if he can record his fourth straight win. The odds are stacked against him, however, because the Canes are one of the best teams in the league.
Not only will the Wings have to provide good goal support against one of the better tandems in the league right now, they'll have to hold off a Canes offense that runs two very good scoring lines. At best, I think you're just hoping for a good save percentage here.
Daniil Tarasov, CLB at PIT (7% rostered)
Jackets and Pens matchups are always entertaining and close, but the Pens have dominated this matchup from the Jackets' inception, going 45-18-0. The Pens have not lost to the Jackets in regulation since Nov. 29, 2019, and with the Jackets slumping badly with a five-game losing streak and 26 goals allowed, Tarasov has little upside in fantasy.
Tarasov has had some jaw-dropping performances this season, but the odds of that happening seem rather slim.