H2H Faceoff: Goalie Trade!
Brian Elliott and Craig Anderson have been traded which may make either one of them worth reconsidering.
Elliott has yet to make his debut for the Avs and it will be interesting to see how he does with his new team. Anderson, on the other hand, debuted for the Senators on Saturday and stopped an incredible 47 shots, earning a shutout– vote for him here! Although we can’t base his potential fantasy value in the upcoming weeks on one game, he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
The trade could be just what these teams needed, if these goalies are free agents in your league, keep a close eye on them this week, they could be a great late edition to your team as playoffs approach.
5 Games
Blues (Chi, Col, @Van, @Edm, @Cgy) Jaroslav Halak is currently on IR for an injury to his hand but he is expected to return later in the week. The Blues have an exceptionally heavy week with five games, playing Chicago and Colorado back-to-back and Vancouver and Edmonton back-to-back. Ty Conklin shutout the Sabres on Friday and will likely start until Halak returns. Ben Bishop has been called to the lineup to serve as backup and may also make an appearance this week, especially after earning a win in Saturday’s slugfest.
4 Games
Avs (@StL, Edm, @LA, @Anh) Elliott should be expected to make his Avs debut this week. The starting goalie spot for the Avalanche is up for grabs and with this trade, Elliott may have a chance to nab it. Expect to see Peter Budaj in the rotation as well, he’ll have a chance to fight for the number-one spot too.
Oilers (@Min, @Col, StL, Bos) With back-to-back games this week, expect to see both Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk get starts. Khabi allowed only one goal in each game against Montreal and Dallas, helping his team to victory, unfortunately, these two games don’t mean much at this point for his fantasy value.
Panthers (@NYI, @Ott, @Atl, NJ) Tomas Vokoun should be expected in net for this four-game Panthers week. Scott Clemmensen played Saturday against Tampa Bay, likely to give Vokoun a break before this on the road stretch of games.
Preds (@Cls, Chi, @Dal, Cls) The Preds have a heavy week with back-to-back games so Pekka Rinne should see a break at some point.
Islanders (Fla, @Tor, @Phi, Was) Al Montoya shutout the Kings stopping 35 shots on goal. The Islanders have back-to-back games this week, if Montoya continues to play strong, there’s a good chance the Islanders will ride the hot hand but with a heavy week he may not be the only goalie to make an appearance.
Coyotes (@Phi, @TB, @Cls, @Chi) Ilya Bryzgalov has won his last seven consecutive games for the Coyotes. His most recent win was against the Preds, stopping 30 of 32 shots. They face a busy week with back-to-back games so there’s a good chance Jason LaBarbera steps in to give Bryz a break.
Penguins (Was, SJ, @Car, @Tor) Marc-Andre Fleury will continue to start for the Penguins this week as the team continues to play without their top performers. The Pens are faced with four games. Check back to see if Brent Johnson gets a start for one of the back-to-backs.
Leafs (NYI, @Mon, Pit, @Atl) Jean-Sebastien Giguere is out with a groin injury and is expected to be back in a week to 10 days. Jonas Gustavsson is recovering from heart surgery and is looking to return sometime this week or next. James Reimer will be the number-one goalie in the meantime, winning two of his last three games for the Leafs.
3 Games
Ducks (LA, Min, Col) Jonas Hiller is on IR as it is said he is experiencing dizziness and fatigue. This isn’t the first time he has suffered from these ailments. Curtis McElhinney has been starting while Hiller is out but he hasn’t been good. He’s allowed a total of 16 goals in three games. Timo Pielmeier stepped in for McElhinney against the Blues but he allowed five goals on 12 shots. It’s safe to say the Ducks and their fans are anxiously awaiting Hiller’s return at this point and could even turn to Ray Emery.
Thrashers (@Buf, Fla, Tor) The Thrashers continue to turn to Ondrej Pavelec as their number-one goalie despite winning only one of his last seven games. It is likely you’ll see him with all three starts this week.
Bruins (@Cgy, @Van, @Edm) Tuukka Rask played back-to-back games this past weekend for the Bruins and snagged two wins for his team. Despite a good performance by Rask, it doesn’t look like Tim Thomas is going to lose his number-one spot anytime soon. He’ll be the likely starter for this three-game week on the road for the Bruins.
Sabres (Atl, Ott, Det) Ryan Miller will continue to mind the net for his team this week. He’s lost his last three, including letting in seven goals to the Islanders. He’ll be looking to make up for those losses as the Sabres enjoy a week at home.
Flames (Bos, SJ, StL) Miikka Kiprusoff has won his last two consecutive starts. It looks like the Flames will continue to turn to Kipper as often as possible as the playoffs creep closer.
Hurricanes (NYR, Pit, @Mon) Cam Ward won two of his last four games but allowed four goals on 21 shots when the Hurricanes faced the Devils. Ward will continue this week as number-one goalie. The team does have face back-to-back games but Ward has faced back-to-backs before. Check back on game days to see if the Hurricanes decide to give Ward a break this week.
Blackhawks (@StL, @Nsh, Pho) With three games this week, it looks like Corey Crawford will be the go-to goalie for the Hawks as he has won two of his last five games.
Blue Jackets (Nsh, Pho, @Nsh) Steve Mason has won five of his last six games for the Blue Jackets. Keep an eye on our Starting Goalies page to see if Mathieu Garon draws in.
Stars (NJ, @Det, Nsh) Kari Lehtonen will start for the Stars this week. Andrew Raycroft has been struggling as a backup so it is likely the Stars will avoid using him if they don’t have to. Not to say that Lehtonen has been much better as of late, he’s lost his last three.
Red Wings (SJ, Dal, @Buf) The Wings will continue throughout the season to rotate their goalies for back-to-back games. The Wings have a spread out three game week, so Jimmy Howard should be in net all week. Howie has won his last three consecutive games. Chris Osgood is hopeful to return next week, until then Joey MacDonald continues to play backup.
Kings (@Anh, Min, Col) Jonathan Quick has won two of his last three starts, including a shutting out the Flyers stopping 40 shots. There’s not doubt he will continue to be the Kings top goalie choice. However, the Kings do face back-to-back games this week so expect to see Jonathan Bernier step in for a game.
Wild (Edm, @LA, @Anh) Back-to-back games for the Wild will give Jose Theodore another start this week, but there’s no question that Niklas Backstrom is the number-one goalie for Minnesota right now. Backstrom allowed only one goal to the Ducks last Friday, stopping 29 shots and gaining a win for his team.
Habs (@Van, Tor, Car) Carey Price has won one of his last three starts, shutting out the Leafs in that win. He should see all three starts in this three-game week for the Habs.
Devils (@Dal, @TB, @Fla) Martin Brodeur has been out with a knee injury but was able to serve as backup for Johan Hedberg on Friday and Saturday. Hedberg has been great for the Devils in Brodeur’s absence as he’s won six consecutive games for the Devils. Keep an eye on Brodeur’s status and Hedberg’s hot hand to see what the Devils do this week.
Rangers (@Car, @Was, TB) Henrik Lundqvist has won two of his last four, he allowed only one goal against the Devils but it was enough to lose the game as he didn’t see much support from the rest of his team. He will be in net this week.
Senators (Fla, @Buf, Phi) Anderson made an outstanding debut with Senators on Saturday. He shutout the Leafs making 47 saves. Maybe the trade is just what he needed to get things going again. Expect to see him in net the majority, if not all of this week.
Sharks (@Det, @Pit, @Cgy) Antti Niemi celebrated his 20th win after shutting out the Avs on Saturday. He’s won his last three consecutive games and continues to be the number-one goalie for the Sharks as Antero Niittymaki is still on IR.
Flyers (Pho, NYI, @Ott) Brian Boucher has won his last three starts where as Sergei Bobrovsky has won one of his last three. Check back this week to see who the Flyers start, it looks like these goalies will continue to share time.
Lightning (Pho, NJ, @NYR) Dwayne Roloson continues to be the number-one goalie for the Lightning but he also continues to be inconsistent. He is just as likely to shutout a team as he is likely to allow seven goals in a game. He’ll be looking to find some consistency in net this week for the Bolts.
Canucks (Mon, StL, Bos) The Canucks face a three-game week and there’s no doubt that Roberto Luongo will continue to be the number-one netminder for his team.
Caps (@Pit, NYR, @NYI) It is likely both Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov will make appearances this week. Varlamov was yanked after allowing three shots on nine goals in the Anaheim game. Check back game days to see who the Caps go with.
Home Sweet Home: Canucks, Flames, Sabres and Ducks will play host this week.
Pack Their Bags: The Bruins, Devils and Sharks enjoy hotel living all week.
Peek Feb 28-Mar 6
4 Games: Sabres, Flames, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Panthers, Wild, Islanders, Rangers, Canucks
3 Games: Ducks, Thrashers, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Stars, Oilers, Kings, Habs, Preds, Devils, Flyers, Coyotes, Penguins, Blues, Lightning, Leafs, Caps
2 Games: Avs