Games are plentiful this week in the NHL and there are some solid options in net to stream. Certain goalies are really stepping up and some schedules are favorable for potential additions to your fantasy hockey team. The right goalie pickup could be the difference-maker in a week, so these are some of the best goalie streams for Week 8.
Fantasy Hockey Week 8 Goalie Streams
Mackenzie Blackwood, San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are once again getting solid goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood in a year where he’s likely to be moved at one point to a contender and his price could rise significantly. He is 4-7-3 on the season, but the Sharks get peppered with shots and he makes a lot of big saves to keep them in it. San Jose can score and help Blackwood get some more victories coming up this week.
Blackwood has a 3.07 GAA, but a .907 SV% this season with a shutout. He should be seen as the clear starter as Vanecek has already started four fewer games and has a worse record, GAA, and SV% without a shutout. The Sharks match up against the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, and Seattle Kraken on a back-to-back. I can see Blackwood starting three games and the schedule isn’t terribly difficult. While San Jose isn’t great, they have won four of their 10 games at home this season where the team plays three times this week as opposed to winning just two of 13 games on the road.
Karel Vejmelka, Utah HC
While Connor Ingram has been on the injured reserve, Karel Vejmelka has stepped up in a big way and has been one of the most impressive goalies in the league as of late. Utah HC can score, but unfortunately, it has barely been in games where Vejmelka has started this season. That might turn around with their win against the Pittsburgh Penguins though as Utah stomped them 6-1 with Vejmelka in net.
Vejmelka is 2-5-0, but much more deserving of a better record as he has a 2.21 GAA and a .927 SV%, which is tied for the best in the NHL amongst goalies with a minimum of seven starts. Five of his seven starts have been quality starts as well and he has a goals saved above average of 6.2. The supposed backup of Utah has been incredible this season and while he has full control of the net as the starter, take advantage and it will help your fantasy hockey team a great deal.
Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets
It hasn’t exactly been a thing of beauty, but Elvis Merzlikins has won four starts in a row dating back to Nov. 15. He and the Columbus Blue Jackets haven’t just beaten bottom-of-the-barrel teams either. They did knock off the struggling Penguins 5-2, but he’s rattled off wins in three games in a row since his game off, coming against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes.
Merzlikins has six wins in 12 games this season with a 3.08 GAA and .894 SV%, but if you’re more desperate for wins, the Blue Jackets are playing surprisingly well considering expectations and face the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, and Chicago Blackhawks. The numbers in net could go up and he could realistically play all three games, though I think two is more likely.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 7 Defensemen Streams
Whether you need potential easy matchups for a goalie you want to stream, netminders who are hot right now, or just an elite slept on goalie, all of the top options are here for you. Make sure to come back next week to see the best streaming options again.