The Hurricanes are expected to stick with Spencer Martin and look for Erik Portillo to make his NHL debut with the Kings.
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.
14 games for Friday, Nov. 29
* = confirmed
Igor Shesterkin, NYR* at Ivan Fedotov, PHI* (1 p.m. ET)
Petr Mrazek, CHI* at Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN* (2 p.m. ET)
Kevin Lankinen, VAN* at Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF* (3 p.m. ET)
Jacob Markstrom, NJ* at Cam Talbot, DET* (3 p.m. ET)
Semyon Varlamov, NYI* at Logan Thompson, WSH* (3 p.m. ET)
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA* at Spencer Martin, CAR* (3 p.m. ET)
Dustin Wolf, CGY* at Elvis Merzlikins, CLB* (3 p.m. ET)
Jonas Johansson, TB* at Juuse Saros, NSH* (3 p.m. ET)
Erik Portillo, LA* at John Gibson, ANA* (3:30 p.m. ET)
Philipp Grubauer, SEA* at Vitek Vanecek, SJ* (3:30 p.m. ET)
Tristan Jarry, PIT at Jeremy Swayman, BOS* (6:30 p.m. ET)
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at Adin Hill, VEG* (8:30 p.m. ET)
Alexandar Georgiev, COL* at Jake Oettinger, DAL* (9 p.m. ET)
Calvin Pickard, EDM* at Karel Vejmelka, UTA* (9 p.m. ET)
Goalies
Ivan Fedotov, PHI vs. NYR (9% rostered)
Even with the Rangers struggling and the Flyers winning more games than usual, I'm fearful of this start. The Flyers will no doubt give the Rangers a good run for their money, note the Rangers have only lost once in regulation in their past 10 meetings. I view Fedotov as a low-upside option with an outside chance of winning.
Spencer Martin, CAR vs. FLA (10% rostered)
The Canes have won nine straight at home so that bodes well for them, while the Panthers have lost six of their past eight. While the odds of the Canes winning are quite good, keep in mind the Canes don't allow a lot of shots - it would be shocking if they didn't dominate the shot differential this game - but Martin's save percentage isn't particularly good.
What you're looking for here is a win, and anything else would be a big bonus.
Elvis Merzlikins, CLB vs. CGY (19% rostered)
The Jackets may keep this close, but like with any matchup against the Flames, my biggest fear is getting goalie'd by Dustin Wolf, who's expected to start. The Jackets have won three of their past four and kept their games close against top-tier teams, but note Merzlikins has allowed at least four goals in three straight games. He'd be a bottom-tier streaming option Friday.
Erik Portillo, LA at ANA (0% rostered)
Darcy Kuemper is not ready to return and Pheonix Copley was returned to the AHL, which means Portillo is in line to make his NHL debut. The Sabres' third-round pick in 2019, he declined to sign and he was traded to the Kings where the path to the bigs was clearer. He was excellent in his first pro season with AHL Ontario (24-11-3, .918 SP, 2.50 GAA) with slightly lower numbers this season (4-2-0, .906 SP, 2.68 GAA).
There's obviously some risk starting a rookie goalie in his NHL debut, but the Ducks offense is generally not very threatening even though they've improved recently. Clearly, though, the Kings have more confidence in Portillo than Copley. If you're willing to take the risk, I don't mind Portillo as a streaming option with a decent chance of earning a win.
Philipp Grubauer, SEA at SJ (6% rostered)
Vitek Vanecek, SJ vs. SEA (3% rostered)
With Daccord starting four straight, coming off a loss and starting on the road coming out of the Thanksgiving break, this might be an ideal time to give Grubauer a start. He has not been good this season but looked strong in his previous start. Mikael Granlund is a game-time decision, which takes some bite out of the Sharks offense.
Vanecek returns from injury and gets his first start since Nov. 16, and I'm leaning more towards the Sharks. Their offense has improved and they're 3-3-0 vs. the Kraken at home vs. 1-4-0 against them in Seattle. With a home-and-home series, I think they split the series with the home teams winning.
Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN vs. CHI (16% rostered)
If Fleury draws this start, it'll be more desirable than facing the Preds. Fleury gets a chance to face his former team and I'm not convinced the Hawks offense, which surprisingly scored six goals against the Stars in their previous game, albeit with Casey DeSmith in net, can do the same against the Wild.
If Fleury starts, he's an ideal streaming target. He's won four straight and allowed just one goal on 29 shots (.966 SP) in his lone appearance against them last season.
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