Marc-Andre Fleury has been dominant against the Ducks in his career and may draw the start with the Wild playing back-to-back. The Penguins will have to pick between Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic in the first game of a tough back-to-back.
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 can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
6 games for Friday, Dec. 6
* = confirmed
Charlie Lindgren, WSH* at Anthony Stolarz, TOR* (7 p.m. ET)
Philipp Grubauer, SEA at Jacob Markstrom, NJ* (7 p.m. ET)
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT* at Igor Shesterkin, NYR* (7:30 p.m. ET)
Elvis Merzlikins, CLB at Kevin Lankinen, VAN* (10 p.m. ET)
Jake Oettinger, DAL at Adin Hill, VEG (10 p.m. ET)
Filip Gustavsson, MIN* at Lukas Dostal, ANA (10 p.m. ET)
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN at ANA (16% rostered)
It would make sense to start Fleury, leaving Filip Gustavsson to face the Kings on Saturday. Fleury's played sparingly this season as the backup but he's been very good when pressed into action, notching five wins in six starts. He's drawn some easy opponents this season and the Ducks won't be too different; they've lost four of their past six following a brief three-game winning streak and scored more than two goals just twice during those six games.
The Wild will be without top center Joel Eriksson Ek, but they have enough quality depth to easily snag a win. Fleury's the top streaming options for Friday if he starts. Fleury is also an incredible 23-5-0 with a .932 SP and 1.82 GAA all-time against the Ducks.
Tristan Jarry, PIT at NYR (14% rostered)
Alex Nedeljkovic, PIT at NYR (6% rostered)
The Pens play back-to-back against the Rangers and Leafs, and there's no doubt the Rangers are the softer opponent right now. Both Jarry and Nedeljkovic are coming off wins but it seems like the Pens favor Jarry a little more, even though Jarry allowed four goals against the Panthers. I think either goalie should be okay to start here while the Pens are rolling with a four-game winning streak. I'd be more concerned about whoever starts Saturday against the Leafs.
This is a potential revenge game for the Pens, who lost 6-0 to the Rangers in their season opener. The Rangers have lost six of their past seven. I don't mind risking either Jarry or Nedeljkovic as a streamer.
Elvis Merzlikins, CLB at VAN (25% rostered)
Despite playing their second game in two nights, a battered Canucks blueline shouldn't pose much of a challenge to the Jackets offense. The goals have dried up a little, which is the biggest drawback to streaming Merzlikins in this matchup. Even with a save percentage below .900, Merzlikins has actually won five of his past seven games, including wins in a game where he allowed six goals and another where he allowed four goals.
The Canucks will certainly be favored here, and note there is scuttlebutt J.T. Miller may return to the lineup. Even if he doesn't, the Canucks have some elite offensive weapons that could pose a challenge. Without good goal support, Merzlikins will find it difficult to win, though historically he's been quite good against the Canucks with a 4-1-1 record, .913 SP and 2.91 GAA. Merzlikins isn't my top streaming option for Friday, but he should be serviceable if you're looking for some saves.
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