Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Devils last Saturday. Ben Bishop started the last two games, but it will be Vasilevskiy tonight in Ottawa. He is one of the best backups in the NHL and has a powerful offence in front of him, making him a legit spot-start option whenever he gets the nod.
Smith, 22, was a fourth round pick (104th overall) in 2012 and it looks like he will make his NHL debut on Saturday. The Stars are dealing with injuries to Patrick Sharp and Patrick Eaves, so it looks like Smith will draw in on the fourth line. He had 26 points (13G / 13A) in 65 games with Texas (AHL) last year and one goal in three games to start this season.
Elliott allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Flames loss to the Oilers last Friday. Elliott’s Flames career has not gotten off to the start that his owners hoped for. He has allowed a combined 10 goals on 55 shots for an ugly .818 SV%. The veteran will look to bounce-back against a Hurricanes team that is 0-1-2 despite scoring 3.00 goals per game to start the year.
Sheary was caught by a high-stick in Tuesday’s loss in Montreal and the injury will keep him out of Thursday’s game. Sheary will come out of the lineup for at least one game. He is listed as day-to-day.
Despite Ben Bishop practicing in the "starter's crease" this morning, head coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy will start tonight vs. the Devils.Bishop had a rough night vs. the Red Wings on Thursday, so they will turn to Vasilevskiy, who draws a great matchup tonight vs. the Devils. Vasilevskiy comes in with an 18-15-1 record while posting a 2.60 GAA and .913 SV% in 40 career NHL games.
Elliott was torched for six goals on 27 shots in his Flames’ debut on Wednesday. The Flames went on to lose 7-4 to the Oilers, but it can’t be pinned on Elliott. Calgary left their netminder hung out to dry on multiple occasions and one goal was a Connor McDavid penalty shot. With the same opponent tonight, Elliott looks like a risky start, but the Flames should be better in front of him in this one—they frankly can’t be worse.
Ben Bishop has started 60-plus games in three consecutive seasons, but the Lightning would like that number to be closer to 50 this season, with Vasilevskiy getting around 30 games. Vasilevskiy is 18-15-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .913 SV% in his brief NHL career and is one of the best backup options in the NHL.
Santini was expected to start the season on the Devils’ third pairing, but a late signing of Kyle Quincey will push him out of the lineup tonight. He has offensive potential, but likely won’t be given enough opportunity to make a fantasy impact this season.
Elliott always split time in his five years with the Blues, never starting more than 45 games in a single year, but that will likely change this year. Elliott is now the Flames’ No.1 and should start close to 55-to-60 games. In the last five years, he has gone 164-104-46 while ranking first in the NHL in GAA (2.01) and second in SV% (.925). He draws a tough assignment on opening night, vs. Connor McDavid and an improved Oilers squad.
Kucherov burst onto the fantasy scene as a member of “The Triplets” line, only to improve on his numbers in 2015-16. Kucherov is coming off of 66 points (30G / 36A) in 77 games and has the potential to be a 70-plus point player who makes under $5 million per year. That’s unheard of.
Vasilevskiy, 21, was the 19th overall pick in 2012 and is ready for his first full NHL season in 2016-17. He was 11-10-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .910 SV% in 24 games with the Lightning and 7-4-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .935 SV% in 12 starts with Syracuse (AHL). Vasilevskiy enters the season as Ben Bishop’s backup, but he is the future of the Lightning’s net.
Hedman is heading into his final year of a five-year, $20 million dollar deal, but was extended through the 2024-25 season. The former second overall pick is coming off of another great season, where he scored double-digit goals (10) for the third straight season and posted 40-plus points (47) for the second time in his career. He has developed into one of the top defensemen in the NHL and now he is getting paid like one.
