The NHL is back in full swing this week after a three day break in Week 12. This means there will be more games and more opportunities for certain goalies. Whether a potential streamer is on a less talked about team who can perform or a backup outplaying the starter, these are the three best options that should be more available than not to grab.
Fantasy Hockey Week 13 Goalie Streams
Karel Vejmelka, Utah Hockey Club
Karel Vejmelka finds himself on this list week after week as Utah and his play are overlooked. He is already confirmed as the starter for Monday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, which also means Utah’s starter gets to avoid the red-hot Edmonton Oilers the following day on the second half of the back-to-back.
Utah might have lost three games in a row (two for Vejmelka), but he put up a combined .922 SV% in those two losses, so it isn’t on him. Before the team lost three in a row, they had won four in a row in front of Vejmelka. Utah is still three games above .500 and he should get to face the Kraken, Calgary Flames, and Dallas Stars. It is a pretty good week and I can realistically see him and the team winning two of the games he starts. He has a 2.32 GAA and .918 SV% on the season. If he’s still available, I don’t know why he wouldn’t be picked up and even held for longer.
Joel Hofer, St. Louis Blues
Joel Hofer has started to get more starts as of late as Jordan Binnington is not playing his best hockey. Before shutting out the Detroit Red Wings, who have struggled greatly offensively, Binnington lost five in a row and recorded a .874 SV% over that stretch. He is 9-13-3 with a .898 SV%, whereas Hofer is 8-3-1 with a .905 SV%.
Hofer has won five of his last six starts and the St. Louis Blues are in desperate need of wins to keep pace in the competitive Western Conference. Whoever gives them the better chance to do so is going to get starts in net, regardless of the cap hits. The Blues play the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets. If Hofer can avoid the Senators and get the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets, that would be much better. At the very least, he will get one start because the team plays the Senators and Blue Jackets on a back-to-back later in the week.
Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have been a little streaky this season and Elvis Merzlikins’ wins have really been impacted by those ups and downs. The team was rolling and he was a good streaming option a couple of weeks ago and then the group started struggling. Columbus is once again finding ways to win and outscore their opponents, regardless of the recent loss via shutout to the Boston Bruins.
Merzlikins wasn’t in net for that one, but rather the game before where the Blue Jackets stomped the Bruins. The team has won three of the last five and Merzlikins has won two of his last three games. He isn’t the goalie to grab if you’re looking to dominate every game in GAA and SV%, but he is 11-9-3 and has a shutout on the season. The Blue Jackets take on the Carolina Hurricanes, Red Wings, and Blues this week. All three have generally struggled recently and there’s a good chance Merzlikins gets all three starts.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 12 Defensemen Streams
Goalies continue to be the most important streamers each week as they impact a large amount. Make sure to do your research and really see what would benefit you most and be sure to come back next week for more of the best streaming options.