Panthers backup Spencer Knight is expected to start against the Penguins, and Anton Forsberg has returned from injury and expected to start for the Senators.
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5 games on Friday, Jan. 3
* = confirmed
Tristan Jarry, PIT* at Spencer Knight, FLA (7 p.m. ET)
Samuel Montembeault, MON* at Arvid Soderblom, CHI* (8 p.m. ET)
Anton Forsberg, OTT* at Jordan Binnington, STL (8 p.m. ET)
Lukas Dostal, ANA at Stuart Skinner, EDM* (9 p.m. ET)
Juuse Saros, NSH at Kevin Lankinen, VAN* (10 p.m. ET)
Goalies
Anton Forsberg, OTT at STL (3% rostered)
Forsberg was the backup Thursday in Dallas, which points toward him getting his first start since Dec. 8. With only four wins in 11 starts this season, Forsberg's got a tough matchup ahead of him. It's worth noting, however, that two of his four wins were shutout wins, and the Sens have been on a roll with seven wins in their past nine games heading into Thursday's game.
I'm gun shy about this start but there aren't a lot of options, and if you desperate need a goalie, I don't mind streaming Forsberg.
Tristan Jarry, PIT at FLA (24% rostered)
Spencer Knight, FLA vs. PIT (8% rostered)
Certainly, the Panthers have the advantage, even with the Pens playing much better now than they did a month ago. Jarry will need the Pens to supply some goal support to win because it's very likely they'll get outshot and allow at least a few goals. When Jarry defeated the Panthers earlier this season, he allowed four goals on 41 shots.
That being said, I think Knight will need plenty of goal support to win as well. This will be the Panthers' second game in as many nights, and Knight has allowed 15 goals in his past four games, including a 5-4 loss in Pittsburgh on Dec. 3. If I had to pick, I'd still pick Knight, but do so with quite a bit of worry.
Arvid Soderblom, CHI vs. MON (5% rostered)
Mired in a five-game losing streak and looking listless at the Winter Classic, I don't have much confidence Soderblom can pull off this upset even if he played a big role during the Blackhawks' three-game winning streak. It's crazy to say, but I feel like the Rangers might be a better matchup for them on Sunday than Friday against the Habs. Soderblom has been statistically weaker at home (.892 SP, 2.97 GAA) than on the road (.917 SP, 2.62 GAA) this season.
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