H2H Faceoff: An All-Star Game Wrap-Up
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.
All-star weekend has come to an end leaving us with plenty to discuss. The All-Star players for this year’s event gathered on Friday, the 28th, to partake in a fantasy draft. Captains Lidstrom and Staal, with the help of their assistant captains, drafted from a pool of players to compile their teams. Saturday the players competed in a skills competition and Sunday Team Staal and Team Lidstrom went head-to-head in the All-Star game. Team Lidstrom won the game 11-10. The weekend seemed to be just the break the players needed from the hardships of heavy weeks prior. But what’s really important is what you thought. What did you love? What didn’t you like? If you watched the all-star weekend festivities, I’m sure you’ve got something to say. Good job Team Lidstrom!
4 Games
Habs (@Was, Fla, NYR, NJ) Carey Price played strong in the 2nd period of the all-star game for Team Staal and will return to Montreal to defend the net for the Habs this week. Keep in mind, the Habs have back-to-back games in their busy week, so Auld should see at least one start.
Devils (Ott, @NYR, Fla, @Mon) Martin Brodeur will be in net this week. Marty has won five of his last seven games played. He’ll continue as the Devils No. 1 goalie but with back-to-backs, Johan Hedberg will make it into the rotation.
Penguins (@NYR, NYI, Buf, @Was) Marc-Andre Fleury is coming off of a shutout against the Islanders last week and a weekend of all-star festivities. He’ll get most of the starts this week, but back-to-backs should ensure Johnson an appearance.
3 Games
Thrashers (NYI, Cgy, @Car) Chris Mason is still out which leaves the pressure on Ondrej Pavelec. Pavelec shutout the Caps last week but has only won two of the last nine games.
Bruins (@Car, Dal, SJ) Tim Thomas took home an all-star win playing the third period for Team Lidstrom. He continues to be a solid goalie and there should be little question as to whether or not he’ll start this week.
Flames (@Nsh, @Atl, LA) Miikka Kiprusoff has won three consecutive games for the Flames, it seems he may have found his way out of that slump he was facing. Look for him to be in net this week.
Hurricanes (Bos, @Tor, Atl) Cam Ward should be feeling pretty good after his all-star weekend experience. Ward was picked first in the ASG draft by Team Staal. Ward has also won three of his last four games and the Hurricanes will turn to him this week for some of that all-star goaltending.
Avs (@StL, Min, Anh) Craig Anderson has lost his last three games and continues to be somewhat inconsistent for his owners, not to say it’s all his fault, his team hasn’t been much help to him. Check game days for the Avs starting goalie choice, Peter Budaj and Anderson are likely to split time unless one can hit a hot streak.
Blue Jackets (Chi, @Det, Edm) Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon should both make appearances for Columbus this week as they face back-to-back games. Mason has three games in five starts and has allowed only two goals in each of those winning games.
Stars (Van, @Bos, @Phi) Kari Lehtonen has won his last five of six games that he has started and the Stars will continue to turn to this strong starting goalie this week.
Wings (@Ott, Cls, @Nsh) Howard has returned to the lineup and currently leads the league in wins, although, he shouldn’t get all the credit for those wins, the combination of Howard’s goaltending and the way the Wings play their game makes for a fierce team. Howard, as long as he stays healthy, will start this week.
Oilers (LA, @StL, @Cls) Nikolai Khabibulin, Devan Dubnyk and the Oilers continue to struggle. Dubnyk won his last game against the Coyotes, so he may be the more likely choice to start this week as the Bulin Wall hasn’t been living up to his nickname.
Panthers (@Tor, @Mon, @NJ) Tomas Vokoun will start this week for the panthers. He’s won only one of four games but could use a little more support from his team.
Kings (@Min, @Edm, @Cgy) Jonathan Quick has won his last three games, which includes a shutout against the Bruins last week, stopping 34 shots against the Boston team. He’ll be the netminder the Kings turn to as they hit the road this week.
Wild (LA, @Col, @Pho) Niklas Backstrom shutout the Flames upon his return to the lineup with the Wild. As long as he stays healthy, he’ll start in this three-game week.
Preds (Cgy, @Phi, Det) Pekka Rinne will continue to start for his team this week. Rinne has been doing well for the Preds in the month of January, let’s hope the streak continues.
Islanders (@Atl, @Pit, Ott) Rick DiPietro and Kevin Poulin will likely split time this week, as it seems they’ve taking that approach lately. Check back game days, if you’ve got one of these guys.
Rangers (Pit, NJ, @Mon) Henrik Lundqvist was a little inconsistent the weeks prior to entering the all-star break, look for him to bounce back as he returns from North Carolina where he played the third period for Team Staal.
Senators (@NJ, Det, @NYI) Brian Elliott hasn’t seen a win since December. It may be time for the Senators to give Robin Lehner another go to try and turn their luck around. Check back game days to see what the Senators do this week.
Flyers (@TB, Nsh, Dal) Sergei Bobrovsky has been taking back the reigns. He has won the last six game he started, allowing no more than two goals in these games. If he keeps it up, he should get the majority of starts.
Coyotes (@SJ, Van, Min) Ilya Bryzgalov has two of his last four and will look to add a few more wins for his team in this three game week for the Yotes.
Sharks (Pho, @Anh, @Bos) Antti Niemi will be the starting goalie for the Sharks this week as Antero Niittymaki is on IR. However, look for Niitymaki to return later this week. Niemi has won four of his last five starts.
Blues (Col, Edm, @TB) Jaroslav Halak and the St. Louis Blues haven’t been doing much in January. They’ve lost their last four games but will continue to start Halak as they look for a win this week.
TB (Phi, Was, StL) Dwayne Roloson has won his last four games as he seems to be slowly moving out of his win-lose-win-lose tendencies. He’ll start this week for the Lightning. In his last game before the break he shutout the Leafs to get his team the win.
Leafs (Fla, Car, @Buf) Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be the likely started for the struggling Leafs. They’ve only seen one win in the past six games.
Canucks(@Dal, @Pho, Chi) The Canucks have back-to-back games this week which could mean another start for backup goalie Cory Schneider. Check back game days to make sure your lines are set accordingly.
Caps (Mon, @TB, Pit) Semyon Varlamov will continue to start this week for the Caps as they get back into the swing after the all-star weekend. Michal Neuvirth is currently listed as DTD.
2 Games
Ducks (SJ, @Col) Jonas Hiller won three of his last four games with the Ducks. Hiller will start this short week as he makes his return from a winning all-star weekend. Hiller played for Team Lidstrom in the second period of the all-star game and helped lead his superstar team to victory.
Sabres (@Pit, Tor) Ryan Miller should be expected in net this week for the Sabres. He’s stepped up as the starting goalie this month and won his last four of five games.
Blackhawks (@Cls, @Van) Corey Crawford is expected to start this week for the Hawks. He’s proven himself to be a solid goalie for his team, especially when the alternate option is Marty Turco.
Home Sweet Home: Tampa Bay will play from home all week.
Packing Their Bags: Panthers and Kings will be on the road.
For the week of Feb. 7-13 the number of games for each team are as follows:
4 Games: Flames, Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Avs, Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Oilers, Islanders, Penguins, Sharks, Leafs
3 Games: Ducks, Thrashers, Bruins, Sabres, Stars, Panthers, Kings, Wild, Habs, Predators, Devils, Rangers, Senators, Coyotes, Blues, Canucks
2 Games: Caps, Flyers, Lightning