Teams are desperately fighting to get into a playoff spot, and you may be as well in fantasy. Goaltenders can get hot and cold in an instant so it’s smart to stream them and maximize your return. It may be the most important position and the waiver wire is probably thin as it is, so consider these players as streamer options this week.
Mike Smith – Edmonton Oilers – Rostered 37%
The Edmonton Oilers have lost five in a row on the road but have won six in a row at home. Their road struggles are something that will have to change, but luckily they play three in a row at home this week. There are no back-to-back games, but it looks as though Mike Smith has earned the starter role for the time being with Mikko Koskinen struggling.
This is how the Oilers are going to have to play it for the remainder of the season; play the hot hand, and that is Smith right now. He was 2-0-1 in his three previous games before the defensive meltdown in Calgary and had a save percentage above .900 in each of them. After Koskinen got the start in that game, look for Smith to start in Arizona and at least one of Los Angeles or St. Louis. Seeing as the Oilers’ goaltending is usually available on the waiver wire and the team can win games, it is worth taking a chance on one of them for wins at the very least.
Alexandar Georgiev – New York Rangers – Rostered 15%
Alexandar Georgiev has gotten himself into three of the past four games, one of which was in relief. But since Igor Shesterkin hasn’t been the same Vezina-calibre goaltender that we’ve all grown to know this season of late, Georgiev has been a reliable backup and has calmed things down.
It is possible that he gets a couple of appearances this week and will likely get the start in Detroit in the second half of a back-to-back. That is a very favourable matchup and is almost guaranteed a win with how the Red Wings have failed to win games. Georgiev has won his past three starts and posted a shutout in one of them. He is a solid option since Shesterkin is faltering a bit.
Erik Kallgren – Toronto Maple Leafs – Rostered 24%
Erik Kallgren has been the go-to guy in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs since being thrown into the fire. He has played well despite that and will at worst split time with Petr Mrazek until Jack Campbell is back. Kallgren has made a case to stay in the NHL once all goaltenders are healthy with his .917 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average.
He has lost his last two games and allowed eight goals but he will be needed for their upcoming road trip against tough teams. He may be one of your best options on the waiver wire, but also be wary because the Maple Leafs play some stiff competition coming up.
Roster percentages courtesy of Yahoo.
