Darling will guard the goal in Saturday's road game against the Blues.

EDGE Analysis

Darling was terrible in his last start Dec. 19 against Toronto, allowing eight goals on 36 shots en route to an 8-1 loss. The American netminder will look to bounce back Saturday in a road matchup with a Blues team that's 12-8-0 at home this season.

Darling is expected to start against the Blues on Saturday, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Hurricanes are going back-to-back, and Cam Ward has already been named Friday's home starter against the Penguins. Darling seems to have a loose grip on the starting job for the Hurricanes, underwhelming with career-low peripherals (2.87 GAA and .896 save percentage) in his first season as a full-time goalie -- 24 appearances total. Check back Saturday to see if he indeed draws the start against a tough Blues squad.

Darling allowed eight goals on just 35 shots during Tuesday's 8-1 loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

After making 35 saves in a 2-1 win over Carolina last time out, this was a disastrous showing from Darling. He's struggled to find his footing as a true No. 1 netminder with an 8-10-6 record, .896 save percentage and 2.87 GAA. It's safe to label him as one of the biggest fantasy disappointments to this point, however, there's still potential for improvement moving forward.

Darling will be between the posts for Tuesday afternoon's contest in Toronto, Michael Smith of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darling looked stupendous in his last start and was able to come away with a win for the first time in five games as a result. The Maple Leafs have been floundering offensively with Auston Matthews (upper body) watching from the press box, as they've averaged a league-worst 1.43 goals per game in December, so Tuesday could represent a good opportunity for Darling to try and get his second victory in a row.

Darling stopped 35 of 36 shots in Saturday's win over Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Darling turned in a very strong performance to collect his first win in three starts. The 28-year-old has been inconsistent this season, posting an 8-9-6 record with a .903 save percentage. He's got a lock on the starting gig over backup Cam Ward, but Darling is hard to trust in the majority of fantasy settings. With just two wins in his last nine appearances, it's best to shy away from the Canes' starter until he becomes more consistent.

Darling is listed among NHL.com's "Players to Watch' as the Hurricanes face the visiting Blue Jackets on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Darling surrendered exactly three goals in each of his last four starts, failing to secure a victory in any of those contests. Columbus is a shot-happy club as its ranked fifth in average attempts (34.7), but the silver lining for Darling is that the Blue Jackets pose the weakest man-advantage threat in the entire league. He needs all the help he can get as the owner of an .899 save percentage through 22 appearances.

Darling gave up three goals on 23 shots in a 3-2 loss to Anaheim on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

That's five straight losses for the former Blackhawk, all of which have come on the road. Darling's 2.72 GAA and .899 save percentage significantly trail his 2.38 and .924 marks from last year, so perhaps he's not handling the full-time starter's role as well as Carolina had hoped when he escaped Corey Crawford's shadow last spring.

Darling will be in goal on the road against the Ducks on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Darling was brought in from Chicago to stabilize things in net for the Canes, but instead he's posted a 2.70 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 21 contests. The Ducks do rank 29th in goals per game, but they are getting Ryan Getzlaf (face) and Jakob Silfverberg (upper body) back for this one. That'll make things a little harder for Darling.

Darling gave up three goals on 21 shots in Saturday's overtime loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

The red-hot Kings have now won eight straight games and Darling just so happens to be the latest victim. The 28-year-old has been burned for three goals in each of his last three starts and has lost four straight. He remains valuable in some leagues due to his heavy workload, but Darling's .900 save percentage simply isn't good enough. Until he develops more consistency, we recommend avoiding him in most shallow formats.

Darling will tend the twine for Saturday night's showdown in Los Angeles, Michael Smith of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Darling returns to the starter's net after getting the night off Thursday following a string of sub-par performances. The prized offseason acquisition has not played up to expectations at this point and could have a tough time turning it around Saturday against a red-hot Kings team that has won seven games in a row, scoring four goals or more in five of those contests.