H2H Faceoff: Any More Goalie Fights?

Goalie fights! Share your favorite goalie fighting moment with dailyfaceoff.com. It seems to be a bit of a trend lately and it would be wrong of us not to discuss it. Let’s take a minute and reminisce about the great goalie fighting moments we’ve experienced throughout the years. Start a discussion with your league and fill us in on the consensus or lack there of. There’s definitely something to be appreciated about a good goalie fight or even a bad one.

4 Games

Sabres (@Mon, Tor, StL, Was) Ryan Miller is bound to see a break this week. He hasn’t seen a break in over 30 games. Miller wasn’t as sharp on his game Sunday against the Islanders as he allowed seven goals. With a back-to-back heavy week, it might be time for the backup, Patrick Lalime to get a start.

Wild (Van, @Chi, Anh, Det) With back-to-back games for the Wild, expect to see both Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore in net. Backstrom has won his last five out of eight games and Theodore has won his last two starts.

Flyers (@TB, @Fla, @Car, @NYR) Brian Boucher has allowed only one goal in each of the last three games he played. Sergei Bobrovsky has been just as effective in net for the seemingly unstoppable flyers team. Check back game days to see who the Flyers decide to start.

Canucks (@StL, @Min, @Nsh, Dal) Roberto Luongo has won his last six starts for the Canucks and will continue to start for his winning team. He struggled with the flu last week, so keep an eye on his health status as the Canucks have a heavy week.

Caps (@Pho, @Anh, @SJ, @Buf) The Caps have been struggling to pick up a win. It might be best for the Caps to ride the hot-handed goalie if one of them can step up. It’s a heavy week on the road with back-to-back games for this team. So Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov should both see net time this week.

3 Games

Ducks (Was, @Min, @StL) Jonas Hiller was suffering from fatigue and hasn’t started since February 2. Curtis McElhinney took over in his absence and won his last three games. He won’t be taking over the starting goalie position but he did prove himself to be reliable when the Ducks needed him. Hiller will resume his duties as the Duck’s starting goalie but with back-to-back games this week and the issue of fatigue, McElhinney may see another start. Keep an eye on Hiller’s status.

Bruins (Tor, @NYI, @Ott) The Bruins have back-to-back games this week which means Tuukka Rask may get another start, even though he was pulled from the net during his game against Detroit after allowing five goals on 19 shots. Tim Thomas continues to be the starting goalie, and a great one at that, for the Bruins.

Flames (@Col, Dal, Mon) Miikka Kiprusoff allowed 8 goals in his last two games. However, his recent struggle doesn’t make him any less likely to start this week for the Flames.

Hurricanes (@NJ, Phi, NJ) The Hurricanes have back-to-back games this week, which usually wouldn’t mean much for the starting goalie as Cam Ward just covered back-to-back games this past weekend. However, he may be needing a break soon. Check back on game days in order to set your lines accordingly.

Blackhawks (Min, Cls, Pit) Corey Crawford is likely to start for the Blackhawks this week. Marty Turco has started three times this month, allowing at least three goals in each of those games. Crawford seems to be the better option at this point.

Avs (Cgy, Pit, @SJ) Craig Anderson took a leave of absence to attend to a personal matter and Budaj played between the pipes this past weekend for the Avs. The Avs have been struggling to see a win as of late. Check back on game days to see who will man the net this week.

Stars (@Edm, @Cgy, @Van) Kari Lehtonen has won only one of his last six games. The Stars face back-to-back games this week which means Andrew Raycroft should get a start and Lehtonen can get a break for a night.

Red Wings (@TB, @Fla, @Min) It’s possible that Chris Osgood could return this week to the lineup which means he would see a start this week. Otherwise, the Wings will play Jimmy Howard and rotate in Joey MacDonald as necessary.

Oilers (Dal, Mon, Atl) The Oilers don’t seem to have any luck. The team and their goalies continue to struggle. If either goalie can find a hot hand, he’ll see more time in net. Dubnyk did manage to shutout the Preds and has gotten the majority of starts since that win.

Panthers (Phi, Det, @TB) Tomas Vokoun has taken back his position as the number-one goalie and has started the past five games. He should continue to start with the exception of back-to-back games where you can expect Scott Clemmensen to make an appearance.

Kings (@Cls, @NYR, @NYI) Jonathan Quick has won three of his last four games, most recently shutting out the unstoppable Flyers. Jonathan Bernier allowed only one goal against the Caps when he started over the weekend. Quick will remain the number-one goalie for the Kings but with back-to-back games this week, Bernier has the chance to chalk up another win.

Habs (Buf, @Edm, @Cgy) Carey Price shut out Toronto on Saturday. It seems he came back to the net with a vengeance after allowing eight goals in the game against Boston. Price will continue to get the majority of starts for the Habs.

Preds (SJ, Van, Pho) Pekka Rinne has won three of his last four games for the Predators, including a shutout against Detroit. Expect to see Rinne in net against this week as the Preds enjoy a three game week at home.

Devils (Car, NYR, @Car) Martin Brodeur is injured. He suffers from an MCL sprain leaving Hedberg to man the net for the Devils. Johan Hedberg has won his last three games for the Devils, allowing only 4 goals in that span.

Islanders (@Ott, Bos, LA) Let’s recap the goalie situation for this New York team. Rick DiPietro is injured. Kevin Poulin is injured. Nathan Lawson is injured. It sounds like Lawson may return soon. But in the meantime Koskinen is between the pipes for the Islanders.

Rangers (LA, @NJ, Phi) Henrik Lundqvist has won only one of his last five games. With back-to-back games, Lundqvist and Biron should both make appearances for the Rangers.

Senators (NYI, Bos, @Tor) The Senators finally won a game on Saturday against the Oilers. Brian Elliott gets the majority of starts for the team and will continue this trend, while Robin Lehner plays backup while Pascal Leclaire remains injured.

Coyotes (Was, Atl, @Nsh) The Coyotes have won their last four games, two of which Ilya Bryzgalov managed to shutout both the Avs and the Wild. Bryz will continue to start in this three-game week.

Sharks (@Nsh, Was, Col) Antero Niittymaki is still injured leaving Niemi in charge of the net. Niemi has won four of his last six games and will continue to start until Niittymaki returns.

Blues (Van, @Buf, Anh) The Blues face back-to-back games this week which may give Ty Conklin another start. Jaroslav Halak has been struggling but will not lose his number-one goalie spot.

Lightning (Phi, Det, Fla) Dwayne Roloson has won his last four of six games. His team managed a win against the Hurricanes but Rolie continues to be somewhat inconsistent. He shutout the Leafs and the Flyers and then allowed four goals to the Caps and seven goals to the Sabres. He will continue, consistency or not, as the starting goalie for the Lightning.

Leafs (@Bos, @Buf, Ott) It seems Jean-Sebastien Giguere and James Reimer seem to be sharing time recently. Check back game days to see who will start for the Leafs this week.

2 Games

Thrashers (@Pho, @Edm) Ondrej Pavelec and the Thrashers have won only one in their last six games. Pavelec hasn’t seen a break in awhile since Mason was injured, now that Chris Mason is off IR, you may see appearances from both this week.

Blue Jackets (LA, @Chi) Steve Mason has won his last four of five starts for the Blue Jackets and has seemed to secure his starting spot in the net. Expect to see him start in this light week for the Jackets.

Penguins (@Col, @Chi) Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins have won one in the past five games, this may have something to do with their lack of star players recently due to injury. It’s a light week for the Penguins, so Fleury should be the go-to guy.

Home Sweet Home: The Blackhawks, Oilers, Preds
Pack Their Bags: The Penguins, Thrashers, Kings, Wings, Stars, Caps and Flyers

Next Week Peek: Feb. 21-27
4 Games: Avs, Oilers, Preds, Islanders, Coyotes, Penguins, Blues, Leafs
3 Games: Ducks, Thrashers, Bruins, Sabres, Flames, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Stars, Wings, Kings, Wild, Habs, Devils, Rangers, Senators, Flyers, Sharks, Lightning, Caps, Canucks