With 11 teams facing back-to-back sets this weekend, fantasy managers with streaming flexibility will be spoiled for choice in selecting from a solid crew of quality backups. Like Semyon Varlamov - if the Isles' No. 2 earns the nod against the Senators, should he be Peter Laviolette's choice in Pittsburgh. As always, matchups matter. In fact, a pair of them shine with particularly bright potential in each of Friday's only two contests largely because of the opposition. More on who's expected to start against two non-contenders, and other appealing streaming assets in net, below.
Only the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Jets compete Friday and Sunday, when most of the league is idle. While it's easy to appreciate Winnipeg's assets under such circumstances - especially ahead of tilts with Anaheim and Columbus - there's also more to like from Chicago's roster beyond Connor Bedard. Like one of Bedard's linemates, also mentioned in our streaming section below.
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Stock Up
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres: Clawing their way back into playoff consideration, the Sabres can largely thank their No. 1 netminder for this unexpected return to relevance. Luukkonen - featured in this week's goalie column - has been superb this past month, capping off his impressive stretch with Thursday's shutout victory against the Islanders. Buffalo next faces the struggling Red Wings on Saturday.
Nick Bjugstad, F, Arizona Coyotes: Supplanting Barrett Hayton on Arizona's top line alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz, Bjugstad has two goals and an assist in his past pair of games. And now we're hearing Hayton could miss more than just a handful of games.
Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes: To wrap his first week back from medical leave, Andersen shut out the Panthers Thursday, earning his third win in as many tries. He won't be available in half of ESPN Fantasy leagues for much longer.
Yegor Sharangovich, F, Calgary Flames: All he does is score. Right now, anyway. Eight goals and three assists in eight games is difficult to ignore. The Flames host the Canadiens on Saturday.
Ryan Hartman, F, Minnesota Wild: Guess who has two goals and one assist on 13 total shots in their past three games and is now filling in on a top Wild line with Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy? While regular No. 1 center Joel Eriksson Ek won't be out forever (fortunately), I'd happily jam Hartman in my fantasy lineup in the meanwhile.
Anthony Duclair, F, Tampa Bay Lightning: Whether he's skating on a scoring line with Steven Stamkos or the top unit with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point - both good gigs - Duclair is quickly figuring out how to contribute with his new club. Only two games in, the former Shark already has a goal in each - Stamkos earning the primary helper on one, Point on the other - and an assist. The winger hasn't missed a beat after scoring seven goals and four helpers in his final six contests in San Jose. Pick him up.
Stock Down
Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars: It's getting uglier. Already under scrutiny for his substandard numbers to date, Oettinger got the hook against the Devils Thursday after allowing four goals on only 10 shots. Get ready to see a little more of Scott Wedgewood while the Stars battle for top spot in the Central.
Streamer Specials
Laurent Brossoit, G, Winnipeg Jets: Winnipeg's No. 2 - who's performed well when called upon for months now - is projected to start against a travelling Ducks team in one of Friday's only two games. Anaheim, coming off Thursday's 2-0 loss in Minnesota, has one win (over Ottawa) and eight total goals to show for their past six games.
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes: Supposing Frederik Andersen earns Saturday's start against his old team in Toronto as reward for shutting out the mighty Panthers Thursday, Kochetkov would then be in line for Sunday's game in Ottawa. A rather attractive matchup, favoring Carolina's other quality netminder.
Philipp Kurashev, F, Chicago Blackhawks: Kurashev has three goals and three assists in four games, skating on a forward line with Nick Foligno and Connor Bedard. The Hawks host the Kings Friday and Sharks on Sunday.
Joel Hofer, G, St. Louis Blues: The Blues' backup should get a shot at stringing together a second-straight win against Anaheim Sunday, assuming Jordan Binnington faces the Wild on Saturday. Hofer was great in stopping 36 of 37 shots in Monday's big 5-1 victory in Boston.
Jake Allen, G, New Jersey Devils: After allowing a goal in his opening 15 seconds with his new squad, Allen managed to settle down nicely, stopping the next 35 of 36 shots in securing his first victory for New Jersey. The former Canadien merits a shot at earning victory No. 2 when the Devils visit Arizona on Saturday. Fellow newbie Kaapo Kahkonen also presents as a viable streaming asset in the desert, if that's how Travis Green chooses to roll.
David Rittich, G, Los Angeles Kings: Or Cam Talbot, if he instead ends up starting Friday against the Blackhawks in Chicago ahead of Saturday's tilt in Dallas.