Round Two of the playoffs have arrived here in week 26, and if you are still alive in your playoffs, congratulations! For those who bowed out last week, my sincerest fantasy empathy to you.
We’ve got some excellent goalies to stream this week, though every suggestion comes with the caveat to make sure they’re starting. With some playoff positions already wrapped up (or soon to be), some teams may rest starters more than others. And those teams on the outside of the playoff bubble might be giving ice time to other players—just something to keep in mind.
For waiver wire options of the non-netminder kind, check out Brandon Altomonte’s suggestions. If you want to talk fantasy sports (of any kind), feel free to reach out on Twitter at @thewonkypenguin.
3 Goalie Grabs: Week 26
Elvis Merzlikins (CLS): MON, @LA, @ANH
I do not recommend Merzlikins lightly. He comes with all the red flags that have made him a fun target in DFS, but he also comes in ranked No. 61 overall for the season in fantasy hockey. The Blue Jackets continue to give up the most shots allowed in the NHL this season, leading to Merzlikins having 1,510 saves for the year. While Montreal is sneaky with their offense, the Canadiens are third in the league in shots allowed, which means a shootout in that game. Los Angeles has a ton to play for, which should boost his counting stats. On the other hand, Anaheim has a microscopic chance at making the playoffs, but they are 21st in the league in shots taken. In other words, Merzlikins will give you a little of everything in Week 26, and he will certainly give you points.
Carter Hart (PHI): @WAS, NYR, @BUF, BUF
Four-game weeks mean that Carter Hart is in play, even in a fantasy hockey playoff scenario. In his previous games against these three teams, he averages 24 saves per game and allows an average of three goals. In fact, those game logs look like carbon copies of one another. While that isn’t an amazing line on which to hang your playoff fate, it provides an option for nights when you could use an extra few points due to off nights or the end of a close matchup. Keep him in mind.
Ilya Samsonov (WAS): PHI, @TOR, @MON
While it hasn’t been a shiny happy year for him, Samsonov has four wins in his previous five starts. The last time he traveled to Montreal, he saved 42 of 44 shots and picked up the win. Washington doesn’t actually give up many shots on goal, but they have something to play for. They are currently the last team in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference and have a comfortable 15-point lead over the Islanders with ten to go. The Capitals play three at home and seven on the road in that time. Coincidentally, Samsonov is much better away from Washington. Feel free to use him in Week 26, as I believe he is in for a great week.
That’s all I’ve got for this week. I hope your matchups are fruitful, your points are bountiful, and your goalies are infallible in Round Two of the playoffs. And, as always, good luck!