Semyon Varlamov Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Goalie is a tough position to feel comfortable with tonight, as no team is favored by more than -170. Semyon Varlamov isn't a heavy favorite at just -115, but I like him for his price. Varlamov was excellent at home last year (15-6 with a .933 SV%) and it has continued into this year (2.01 GAA with .936 SV%). The matchup against the Bruins is imposing, but the Bruins 3-3-2 record on the road is nothing special (compared to 7-2-0 at home).

Everyone knows how formidable the Avalanche’ first line was at home last year, but few paid attention to how good Varlamov was at the Pepsi Center. Varlamov was 15-6-2 with a 2.28 GAA and a .933 SV% while playing at home. He isn’t a huge favorite at -135, but I expect him to play well and pick up the ever-important win bonus. Priced at just $7300 at DraftKings and $7800 on Fanduel, he is an excellent value and allows you to pay up for some skaters.

We have two solid options in play tonight and I would feel comfortable rolling out either goalie in any format tonight on this six-game slate. However, if you are playing cash games, I think Semyon Varlamov is the safer option. Varlamov (2.36 GAA, .930 SV%) and the Avalanche have been outstanding on home ice (26-11-2), and the Chicago Blackhawks are not only playing on consecutive nights, they have also struggled to score, ranking 23rd overall in the National Hockey League since the All-Star break. Now, if you want a little more save potential, the struggling Braden Holtby is likely the better option. The Carolina Hurricanes love to shoot the puck (averaging 34 shots per game, good for fourth overall), but they just cannot seem to score (23rd overall in goals per game this year), which sets up perfectly for Holtby tonight at the Capital One Arena.

Much like the scoring of the Avalanche's skaters, Semyon Varlamov thrives on home ice. His numbers at home are a 2.36 goals against average, .930 save percentage which lead to a 14-6-2 record. However on the road the numbers are much worse. He is 9-10-4 with a 3.09 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. While home and road splits are not the best thing to look at, when they are this drastic it is something worth looking in to. The Avs host the Flyers tonight, a team that is very much in the playoff race, so it is a difficult matchup. However Colorado is still expected to pick up the win as their -140 Vegas odds indicate, making Varlamov a solid play tonight.

Fresh off a 44 save performance on the road against Chicago, Varlamov now has a 5-1-3 record to go along with a stellar .942 SV% over his last 10 games. A solid overall goalie, Varlamov is always a tournament only option due to the fact that he plays for a team that is regularly outshot in games, often leaving the Russian netminder hung out to dry. A matchup against a potent Kings team may seem especially risky, but L.A. has generated the fewest high danger scoring chances over their past 25 road games. This bodes well for Varlamov, who has the luxury of playing in front of one of the league's best home team in Colorado, who have allowed the third fewest high danger scoring chances among road teams on tonight's slate. In a game that should play tight, with a playoff atmosphere in the Mile High City, expect another sharp performance from Varlamov to easily pay off his manageable price tag.

If you're looking for a high-risk, high-reward option at goalie tonight, consider taking Avalanche netminder Semyon Varlamov. A solid overall goalie, Varlamov is always a tournament only option due to the fact that he plays for a team that is regularly outshot in games, often leaving the Russian netminder hung out to dry. A matchup against a potent Blackhawks team may seem especially risky, but Varlamov has had Chicago's number over the years; entering tonight's game with an 11-6-2 record which includes a stellar .930 SV% in 20 career games against Chicago. While this makes paying up for Varlamov extremely risky, the barrage of shots he'll likely see tonight makes him worthy of GPP consideration if Colorado can stay out of the penalty box and get him enough goal support to earn the victory.

Nine consecutive losses for the Red Wings and a tough matchup in Colorado to boot. Things are not looking pretty in Hockeytown. Semyon Varlamov checks in at a dirt-cheap $7,900 and is easily the top option in goal for the afternoon slate given the price tag and Detroit's woes. While Varlamov is often boom or bust, it is hard to imagine a scenario where Detroit comes in and puts up 3+ goals. in March, the Red Wings have mustered just 2.13 goals per game while allowing an atrocious 4.25 goals per game in eight contests. Varlamov should coast to the win behind the red-hot Nathan MacKinnon. Use Semyon in all formats.

Semyon Varlamov is one of those goaltenders that can put up a 50 save shutout and win you a GPP. Granted, that is an extremely rare occurrence the point is that he has GPP-winning upside. As a goaltender hosting the Calgary Flames, Varlamov is the lowest home favourite on the slate. His 2.88 goals against average and .912 save percentage is nothing to write home about, but he has elite upside still. The Flames are 3rd in the NHL over their last 10 games with a 66.74 CF/60 however they have only produced 2.40 GF/60. The amount of shots Calgary is taking and not scoring on makes for a ton of save opportunities for Varlamov.

It is not often I target the Colorado Avalanche when looking for my cash game goalie, but that is the case tonight on this five-game slate. The Avalanche are the biggest favorite on the board this evening, and with the Vancouver Canucks inability to score (23rd overall in the National Hockey League in goals per game), Semyon Varlamov becomes the top option in goal. Varlamov may not see a ton of rubber in this contest, but the win is certainly in play, and there is definitely shutout potential here.

Although Semyon Varlamov has struggled on the road, home ice has been a different story, as the veteran goaltender boasts a 7-2-1 record with a 2.58 goals against average and .924 save percentage. Before the holiday break, Varlamov stopped 32 of 34 shots in Arizona as the Avalanche clobbered the Coyotes 6-2. While the Colorado defense is average at best, their penalty kill has been exception in December, allowing just two goals for a 95.1% kill percentage. Additionally, Varlamov could not ask for a better matchup as the Coyotes are averaging a league-worst 1.90 goals per game this month. Varlamov should secure the win and hold Arizona to two goals or less, and his price across the industry is substantially cheaper than other netminders this evening.