This is more of an odd week with hockey on hold for three days over the holidays. That doesn’t mean fantasy hockey stops this week though. There are still matchups to win and goalies to stream to give you an advantage while others may be slacking. Here are three of the best streaming options in net this week.
Fantasy Hockey Week 12 Goalie Streams
Karel Vejmelka, Utah Hockey Club
Karel Vejmelka continues to be overlooked in many leagues as the Utah Hockey Club’s starter is having a great season and isn’t contested in net. For the time being, Connor Ingram still isn’t back, so it’s Vejmelka’s net and he is among the league’s best goalies this season without the recognition.
Vejmelka has a 2.29 GAA, .918 SV%, and has eight wins on the season. The lack of wins isn’t due to his play though. Utah was wavering until things started to turn for the better for the team. He has now won four in a row and five of the last six games. A lot of that is due to his play seeing as he has allowed seven goals in those last four wins. Utah plays the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, not easy matchups. But you can’t argue against a hot goaltender. Every team can be shut down and Utah is rolling. Vejmelka is more than a streamer, so if he’s available, consider holding him so he doesn’t continue to appear as an option to add.
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals just can’t be stopped. The team leads the NHL in points percentage and has a record of 22-8-2. No matter which goalie is in net for a team with that record, they are going to benefit. Logan Thompson may be seen as the better goalie option and the starter, but in fact, the goaltenders each start every other game and Charlie Lindgren is having another strong season.
Lindgren is 10-6-0 with a 2.59 GAA and .903 SV%. After six shutouts last season, he hasn’t gotten one yet, so he is due. The veteran has won four of his last five starts and seven of his last nine. The Capitals also play the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. Other than Toronto, who is without Auston Matthews now, the other two teams don’t score very often and aren’t very good this season. Lindgren will likely get Boston and Detroit, so it is a best-case scenario for him as a streamer.
Yaroslav Askarov, San Jose Sharks
There is now no good reason why Yaroslav Askarov should play another game in the AHL this season. From his play at both the AHL level and when called up to play with the San Jose Sharks, he has more than proven he is an NHL goalie and a top-tier prospect. He has a .938 SV% in the AHL and a .928 SV% in the NHL in three games this season.
Askarov stole the show in a losing effort to the Edmonton Oilers where he stopped 39 of 42 shots. There could have easily been six more goals against if not for his play. Vitek Vanecek is currently injured and Askarov is sharing the net with Alexandar Georgiev, but the rookie’s play should earn him at least another start this week, if not two. The Sharks play the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Monday and then have a back-to-back after the short break against the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames. Askarov is fighting for his spot on the team and proving he deserves to stay.
Related: Weekly Wrap: Week 11 of Fantasy Hockey
When streaming goalies, the hope is always that the netminder gets at least a couple of starts and does well. Sometimes it’s slim pickings, but these three choices should serve you well over the holidays. Be sure to check back in next week for more potential adds in net.