H2H Faceoff: All-Star Game Stretch
Head-to-Head Faceoff is a weekly column by Mollie Krupp which will run every Sunday and continue into Monday. Here you’ll find a breakdown of each team’s schedule for the week as well as which goalies you can expect to see in net so you can make sure to set your fantasy rosters accordingly.
This week is full of excitement for both players and fans as the All-Star game gets closer. I, for one, already have my Lidstrom t-shirt ready to wear proudly as I watch the captain of the Red Wings and his all-star team represent Hockeytown. It’s clear who I’m rooting for, but what are you excited about? How do you like the new drafting format? Who are you excited to see match up? Let’s hear it. If you’re as giddy as I am about the all-star game, you must have something to say about it!
2 Games
Bruins (@LA, Fla) Tim Thomas has won his last five games and will take on this light week for the Bruins.
Flames (Nsh, StL) Miikka Kiprusoff has won two of his last seven games. His recent struggle doesn’t make him any less likely to get both starts this week for the Flames.
Hurricanes (Tor, @NYI) Cam Ward will be in net for the Hurricanes in this light week,
Avalanche (StL, Pho) Craig Anderson has been struggling, so Peter Budaj will get at least one of the starts this week.
Stars (@Van, Edm) Kari Lehtonen has been on fire and there should be little doubt that he will continue to get the starts this week for the Stars.
Oilers (@Pho, @Dal) The Oilers games this week are back-to-back. Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk are both likely to get starts but check game days, Khabibulin recently requested a few days off and that may leave both games to Dubnyk.
Panthers (@NYR, @Bos) –Tomas Vokoun is listed as DTD and won’t start today (Sunday) against the Devils. Keep an eye on his status, as Scott Clemmensen will start until he’s healthy.
Kings (Bos, SJ) Jonathan Quick has not seen many wins as of late but still seems to be the likely candidate for both starts this week.
Predators (@Cgy, @Van) Pekka Rinne will continue to man the net this week for the Preds. Rinne has only lost one of his last eight games played.
Islanders (@Pit, Car) Rick DiPietro should be back in the net this week. Lawson is now listed as DTD due to a knee injury. Because the Islanders games this week are back-to-back. DiPietro and Kevin Poulin may both make appearances. It should also be mentioned that the Islanders attempted to … nab Nabokov … from the Red Wings when he was placed on waivers. However, Nabokov decided against a spot on the Islanders team, which leaves them exactly where they started.
Rangers (@Was, Fla) Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Biron should both be seen between the pipes this week, as their games are back-to-back.
Coyotes (Edm, @Col)—The Coyotes also have back-to-back games which makes it likely for both Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera to get a start this week.
Blues (@Col, @Cgy) Jaroslav Halak has won only two of his last nine games but that shouldn’t stop him from starting this light week for the Blues.
Maple Leafs (@Car, @TB) The Leafs have back-to-back games this week. Check back game day to see who gets the starts. It’s likely Jean-Sebastien Giguere will get at least one, but the team’s lack of confidence in Gustavsson may give one to James Reimer.
Canucks (Dal, Nsh) Roberto Luongo will be in net this week for the Canucks.
Caps (NYR, @Atl) Braden Holtby was called up from the AHL as Michal Neuvirth is listed as DTD and Semyon Varlamov is just coming off of a minor injury. Check game days to see who gets the starts this week.
1 Game
As most teams this week have only one game, it is safe to assume that their starting goalie will be in net this week. Below you can find the likely netminder for each team’s game this week.
Ducks (@Cls) Jonas Hiller
Thrashers (Was) Ondrej Pavelec; Chris Mason has been placed on IR.
Sabres (@Ott) Ryan Miller
Blackhawks (Min) Corey Crawford
Blue Jackets (Anh) Steve Mason
Wings (NJ) Jimmy Howard
Wild (@Chi) Niklas Backstrom
Habs (@Phi) Carey Price
Devils (@Det) Martin Brodeur
Senators (Buf) Brian Elliott
Flyers (Mon) Sergei Bobrovsky is the likely candidate for the Habs game, but check the site game day, as Brian Boucher could get the nod.
Penguins (NYI) Marc-Andre Fleury
Sharks (@LA) Antti Niemi; Niittymaki is on IR with a groin injury.
Lightning (Tor) Dwayne Roloson
Home Sweet Home: The Flames, Avs, Kings, Lightning, Penguins, Flyers, Senators, Wings, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks, Thrashers and Canucks.
Packing Their Bags: The Sharks, Devils, Habs, Wild, Sabres, Ducks, Leafs, Blues, Preds and Oilers
Sneak Peek: Jan 31-Feb 6
4 Games: Penguins, Devils and Habs
3 Games: Canucks, Leafs, Sharks, Coyotes, Flyers, Caps, Lightning, Blues, Senators, Rangers, Islanders, Preds, Wild, Kings, Panthers, Oilers, Wings, Stars, Blue Jackets, Avs, Hurricanes, Flames, Bruins and Thrashers
2 Games: Blackhawks, Sabres and Ducks