NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Goalie Pickups and Expected Starters April 14 - Canucks Leaning on Lankinen Again

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

6 games for Monday, April 14

Arvid Soderblom, CHI at Sam Montembeault, MTL (7 p.m. ET)

Jake Oettinger, DAL at Cam Talbot, DET (7 p.m. ET)

Igor Shesterkin, NYR at Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA (7 p.m. ET)

Matt Villalta, UTA at Juuse Saros, NSH (8 p.m. ET)

Darcy Kuemper, LA at Calvin Pickard, EDM (10 p.m. ET)

Georgi Romanov, SJ at Kevin Lankinen, VAN (10 p.m. ET)

Goalies

Kevin Lankinen, VAN vs. SJ (49% rostered)

If Thatcher Demko is unavailable, look for Lankinen to get the start. He’s the best streaming option among goalies for Monday, and despite Lankinen’s modest .901 SP, he’s actually been really good for the Canucks this season. Lankinen is 3-1-0 against the Sharks in his career, including a win earlier this season. Despite the Canucks’ banged-up roster, they should have no problems providing ample goal support.

Lankinen’s just 9-9-5 at home but his home-road splits in regards to save percentage and GAA are quite similar. The Canucks have dominated this matchup, losing just four times in 21 games since 2019.

Matt Villalta, UTA at NSH (0% rostered)

With Utah finishing their season with a back-to-back, and assuming Karel Vejmelka gets their season finale in St. Louis on Tuesday, expect current backup Villalta to get first start of the season. Jaxson Stauber is back in the minors, though there’s a chance he could get this start. Villalta was their starter in the AHL for much of the season and posted decent numbers with a .906 SP. A third-round pick in 2017 by the Kings, Villalta appeared in two games with the Coyotes last season and allowed five goals on 72 shots (.828 SP).

Utah is the better team but Villalta (or Stauber) will need some goal support to win. Villalta’s previous track record doesn’t inspire much confidence, but if managers want to take a gamble on the team rather than the individual goalie, this is a risky but potentially rewarding option. Managers streaming Villalta are hoping for a chance to earn a win.

Cam Talbot, DET vs. DAL (47% rostered)

This is essentially a meaningless game with the Wings already eliminated and the Stars locked into a first-round matchup against the Avs. The upside for Talbot is the Stars are starting to rest some of their regulars, potentially making this matchup easier. Talbot, however, has not fared well against the Stars, allowing eight goals and both of his starts against them last season; this will be his first start against them this season.

Talbot’s play has started to dip again, though at a minimum he should be a good source of saves. The Wings have a small chance of winning given their relatively strong home record and the Stars potentially resting some of their better players, but they’ll need Talbot to be good and also score against expected starter Jake Oettinger, who’s 8-2-0 career against the Stars.

Arvid Soderblom, CHI at MTL (3% rostered)

The Habs have yet to clinch which means they’re not resting anybody, and they’ll have a notable reinforcement in the lineup: highly touted Russian phenom Ivan Demidov. Soderblom is coming off a strong start with two goals allowed on 33 shots (.939 SP) against the Bruins, and his numbers on the road (.910 SP, 2.87 GAA) are quite strong. He allowed two goals on 40 shots (.950 SP) in his lone start against the Habs earlier this season.

Just about the only way Soderblom can win this matchup is if he replicates his performance from earlier this season combined with some decent goal support. The Hawks have been better at doing that recently but still remain quite inconsistent doing so. With the Habs at home and looking to clinch, I think Soderblom will face a lot of shots – meaning lots of saves – but will probably not earn the win.

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